External Redirected URLs

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Element Code: LI-019

Quick Reference

Issue: External links redirect to different destinations

Impact: Users do not reach intended destination, outdated links

Fix: Update external links to final destination URLs

Detection: Screaming Frog, link checking tools

What Is This Issue?

External links that redirect indicate the destination has moved. While the redirect works, it adds latency and the intermediate URL may eventually break.

Why This Matters for Your Website

Redirect chains add delay. If the intermediate URL is removed, your link breaks completely.

How to Fix This Issue

  1. Find redirects: Check external link destinations
  2. Update to final: Link directly to current URL
  3. Monitor: External links can change over time

Tools for Detection

  • Screaming Frog: Shows redirect status of external links

TL;DR (The Simple Version)

Your external links redirect before reaching their destination. Update them to point directly to the final URLs.

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