What to do if the URL returns a redirect?

If a URL returns a redirect, then in most cases the correct strategy is to send the final (destination) URL that the redirect occurs to.

Search engines typically follow the redirect themselves when processing such links, but for indexing and bulk download services, this may be less effective than immediately providing the final address.

How to handle redirects correctly

• if there is a 301/308 redirect (permanent) - use the final URL;

• If the redirect is 302/307 (temporary), it is still better to send the final page more often if it is stable;

• if there is a redirect chain (A → B → C) - use only the final URL (C);

• If the URL is old and no longer needed, it is not sent at all, but the current one is used.

Why is it better to send the final URL?

• the indexing limit is saved;

• processing time is reduced;

• eliminates an extra step for the search robot;

• the likelihood of quick indexing of the required page increases;

• It's easier to analyze the result.

When can I keep the old URL?

There are rare cases where sending the old URL is acceptable:

• you want to speed up redirect bypass;

• the site is migrating and you need to “catch” the transition;

• The redirect has recently been configured and you are testing its operation.

But even in such situations, the ultimate goal is to have the final page, not the intermediate one, remain in the index.

Result

If a URL redirects, it's almost always better to use the final URL rather than the original. This simplifies indexing, reduces the load, and improves the quality of page processing by search engines.