HTTPS Redirect: Push Old HTTP Requests to the Secure Version
Even if HTTPS works, users and bots may still hit the old HTTP version.
A redirect closes that gap and keeps one canonical destination.
What It Is
An HTTPS redirect sends requests from http:// URLs to the matching https:// URLs, ideally with a permanent 301 response.
HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently
Location: https://example.com/
Why It Matters
- It keeps users on the secure version.
- It reduces duplicate URL paths between HTTP and HTTPS.
- It aligns incoming links, canonicals, and analytics with one destination.
Best Practices
- Redirect every HTTP request to the equivalent HTTPS URL.
- Keep the chain short, ideally one hop.
- Use permanent redirects for canonical moves.
Common Mistakes
- Leaving HTTP pages live without a redirect.
- Redirecting HTTP to an unrelated page.
- Creating redirect loops or multi-hop chains.
Quick Checklist
- HTTP version redirects to HTTPS.
- One clean hop.
- Final destination resolves correctly.
Final Takeaway
HTTPS adoption is incomplete until the insecure version consistently points away.
