#  Understanding and Managing Redirects 

 



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## Understanding Redirects

A redirect automatically sends visitors from one URL to another. This means that even if a page is moved, renamed, or removed, the original link may still work, but it will take visitors to a different location.

### Why am I still able to access an old link?

If you change or remove a page and the old URL still works, it usually means a redirect is in place. Redirects are used to:

- Prevent [broken links](/resource/checking-and-managing-broken-links-your-harvardsites-site "Checking for (and managing) broken links on your HarvardSites site")
- Ensure visitors can still find content
- Maintain links from other websites

### What this means for you

- The original page is no longer active
- The old URL is pointing somewhere else
- You can manage or remove this behavior in the Redirects list

### Quick rule of thumb

If a link still works after a change, it’s probably a redirect, not a mistake.



 

##  How to manage URL redirects 

Site Administrators can manage redirects from Site Settings > URL Redirects, or from the URL redirects section within individual content.

### Step 1: Locate a redirect

1. Navigate to **Site Settings > URL Redirects** to view all redirects. You may see multiple redirects for similar URLs. This can happen because the platform automatically creates redirects when content URLs change.
2. To find a redirect:
    
    
    1. Enter the **From** or **To** URL
    2. Filter by **Status code** if needed

### Step 2: Manage redirects

1. To edit a redirect: Select **Edit** from the **Operations** menu
2. To delete a redirect: Select **Delete**, or select multiple items and choose **Delete redirect**

Note: Deleting a redirect may cause old links to stop working. Deletions cannot be undone.

### Step 3: Create a new redirect

1. Select Add redirect from the Redirect page.
2. Enter the source URL (From): Enter the path you want to redirect *from*.
3. Choose redirect type:  
    **301 Moved Permanently** → use for permanent changes  
    **307 Temporary Redirect** → use for temporary changes
4. Select Save to apply the redirect.
    
    ---

#### Important: You can’t redirect an existing page URL

You cannot create a redirect from a URL that is already in use on your site, even if the page is in Draft or Unpublished status.

For example, if you want the About page to redirect to the Contact Us page:

1. Update the About page’s URL to something new (for example, /about-old)
2. Then create a redirect from /about to /contact-us. This makes the original URL available to be redirected.
3. Enter the destination (To): Enter where the redirect should send users: Select existing site content using autocomplete, or paste an external URL



 

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##  Related how-tos 

 



  [### Linking to a file

 ](/linking-file)How to create and link to a downloadable file resource, and how to update the file with a newer version.



 

 

   ![View from below of a person ascending a spiral staircase.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-02/thumb_link_to_file.jpg?itok=xDcGiijN) 

 



 

 

   [### Linking to on-page anchor links

 ](/linking-page-anchor-links)How to create an anchor link to a component or other page content, and how to link to an anchor link.



 

 

   ![Assorted colorful beetles in compartments of a fossil display case](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-07/thumb_link_to_content.jpg?itok=laa2SITI) 

 



 

 

  

 

 

 

 

##  Related resources 

 



  [### Checking for (and managing) broken links on your HarvardSites site

 ](/resource/checking-and-managing-broken-links-your-harvardsites-site)Identify, fix, and prevent broken links on your site.



 

 

   ![AI-generated image showing nodes connected by lines](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-10/pexels-googledeepmind-17485658.jpg?itok=uU0i8Pjm) 

 



 

 

   [### Content URLs

 ](/resource/content-urls)How content URLs are generated and managed on the platform.



 

 

   ![A modern building with a grid-like facade of metallic panels and glass windows. ](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-02/thumb_content_URLs.jpg?itok=cHWhzIer) 

 



 

 

   [### Internal Links

 ](/resource/internal-links)How to link different types of content and content types within your site



 

 

   ![Closeup of a structure of tubes connected to wooden blocks, overlaying a window and buildings beyond.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-11/thumb_internal_links.jpg?itok=-aQTLRjI) 

 



 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ How-tos ](/content-structure/how-tos)
- [ Links ](/general-site-management/links)