Managing URL redirects in Drupal

When you migrate or update a Drupal site, old URLs may no longer work. To avoid broken links and improve SEO, you can manage redirects using the Redirect module. On ruachost.com, this ensures visitors and search engines always reach the correct content.

Why Use Redirects?

• Prevents “404 Not Found” errors.
• Maintains SEO rankings by preserving link equity.
• Ensures users find the right content after site changes.
• Supports domain changes and canonical URLs.

Steps to Manage Redirects in Drupal

Step 1: Install the Redirect Module

1. Visit Drupal Redirect module page.
2. Download the .zip or .tar.gz file.
3. Log in to Drupal as an administrator.
4. Go to Extend → Install new module.
5. Upload the file and click Install.

Step 2: Configure Redirects

1. In the top menu, go to Configuration → Search and Metadata → URL Redirects.

2. To add a manual redirect:

   • Click Add redirect.
   • Enter the source path (old URL).
   • Enter the destination path (new URL).
   • Select the redirect type (301 permanent or 302 temporary).
   • Click Save.

Step 3: Manage 404 Redirects

• Go to the Fix 404 pages tab.
• Review logged “404 Not Found” errors.
• Create redirects for missing pages.

Step 4: Manage Domain Redirects

• Use the Domain redirects tab to set wildcard or domain‑level redirects.
• Useful when moving a site from one domain to another.

Step 5: Global Settings

• Under Settings, enable Enforce clean and canonical URLs.
• This ensures consistent URLs across your site.

Important Notes

• Always test redirects after saving.
• Use 301 redirects for permanent changes to preserve SEO.
• Keep redirects organized to avoid conflicts.