Why isn't my Shopify redirect working?

Nine times out of ten, the source page is still active. Check the old URL — if it loads a page rather than a 404, the redirect won't fire. Take the page down, then test again. If the page is definitely a 404, check for typos in the redirect from or redirect to field, confirm the target URL is live and returning a 200, test in incognito to rule out browser cache, and check whether the URL path is reserved. Paths like /cart, /orders, /apps, /services, and /admin cannot be redirected natively in Shopify.

Does Shopify support 301 redirects?

Yes. Every redirect created through Shopify admin is a 301 permanent redirect by default. There is no option to create a 302 temporary redirect. If you need a temporary redirect, you would need a third-party app or custom theme code.

Can I upload thousands of redirects at once?

Yes. Go to Online Store, then Navigation, then URL Redirects, and use the Import option to upload a two-column CSV. Standard Shopify plans support up to 100,000 redirects. For large lists, upload in batches of 500 to 1,000.

Can I change my URL structure in Shopify?

You can change handles, which is the last part of the URL. The prefixes (/products/, /collections/, /pages/, /blogs/) are locked by Shopify. This is why moving from another platform always requires redirect work, even when the product names stay exactly the same.

How long do I need to keep migration redirects?

Indefinitely. Once a redirect is in place, the cost of leaving it is essentially zero. The cost of removing it and having something break again is real. Migration redirects should be treated as permanent unless you have a specific data-backed reason to remove one.

What's the difference between a redirect chain and a redirect loop?

A chain is when URL A goes to B, then B goes to C. The page loads eventually but with extra hops that slow things down and reduce link equity passed through. A loop is when A goes to B and B goes back to A, so the page never loads. Both are detectable using Screaming Frog before launch.

Do I need redirects if my handles aren't changing?

If only the handle stays the same but the prefix changes, such as /product/red-shoes becoming /products/red-shoes, yes you still need a redirect. They are technically different URLs. The only time you do not need a redirect is if the complete URL path is identical on both platforms.

Is handling redirects enough to protect my SEO?

Redirects protect your URL equity, which includes the rankings and link value attached to old URLs. But they do not cover everything. Metadata needs to be transferred separately, your sitemap needs to be resubmitted, and you should monitor Search Console closely for the first month after migration.

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