1.2 Indexability & statusMediumInferred
Internal links to 3xx redirects
Linking internally to a URL that then redirects works, but it is sloppy. Every hop is a small tax on crawling and a missed chance to point straight at the destination.
What it is
Internal links point at URLs that redirect.
Why it matters
Adds hops, slows crawl, dilutes signals slightly; not harmful in small numbers.
How to fix it
Update internal links to final destinations.
How to find it on your site
- Crawl the site and look for internal links whose target returns 3xx.
- List the final destination each one resolves to.
- Update the internal links to point at the final URL directly.
- Re-crawl to confirm the links now return 200.
Cross-reference to ranking and citation factors
Direct internal links pass signals more cleanly and speed crawling. Redirected internal links are a minor but cumulative drag.
Impact
Low-medium; crawl efficiency. Estimate.
Evidence
Redirect chains slow crawling; link to final URLs. Google Search Central, Redirects and Google Search