Links and URLs, in plain language.
Short definitions of the terms you run into when sharing, tracking and redirecting links, each with an example and tools to try.
301 redirect
A 301 redirect is an HTTP response that says a URL has moved permanently. Browsers go to the new address automatically, and search engines treat the new URL as the main one.
Read more →302 redirect
A 302 redirect is an HTTP response that says a URL is temporarily somewhere else. Browsers follow it, but the original address remains the one to use.
Read more →UTM parameters
UTM parameters are short tags added to the end of a URL, such as utm_source and utm_campaign, that tell analytics tools which source, medium and campaign sent a visitor.
Read more →Query string
A query string is the part of a URL after the ? sign. It holds name=value pairs, joined with &, that pass extra information to the page, such as a search term or a filter.
Read more →URL shortener
A URL shortener is a service that turns a long web address into a short one. When someone opens the short link, the service looks up the destination and redirects them to it.
Read more →Open Graph
Open Graph is a set of meta tags in a page's HTML that tell social networks and chat apps which title, description and image to show when the page's link is shared.
Read more →Canonical URL
A canonical URL is the address you tell search engines is the main version of a page, used when the same content can be reached at more than one URL.
Read more →QR code
A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that stores data, such as a web address, text or Wi-Fi details, in a square pattern that a phone camera can read.
Read more →Dynamic QR code
A dynamic QR code holds a short link instead of the final destination, so where it leads can be changed, and its scans counted, after it has been printed.
Read more →Link rot
Link rot is when a link stops working because the page it pointed to was moved, changed or removed, so that following it ends in an error or the wrong content.
Read more →Redirect chain
A redirect chain is a sequence of two or more redirects between the URL you request and the page you finally reach, such as A to B to C.
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