Redirect problems
Redirect to a private or internal address
The redirect pointed to a private or special network address, so we stopped for safety.
Quick answer
Some addresses are reserved for home networks, company networks or special purposes. A public website should not send visitors there. We never contact such addresses, to protect private networks.
When to wait: Waiting does not help; the redirect or DNS record must be corrected.
If you are visiting the website
- Compare in your own browser Open the website yourself. Our check comes from one measuring point and may see something different from you.
- Be careful with unfamiliar links Do not open an unfamiliar internal-looking link the website sends you to.
If you run the website
- Check the target name Look up the DNS records of the redirect destination and make sure they point to public addresses.
- Remove test settings Make sure staging or internal URLs are not used in your live redirects.
Likely causes
- Sometimes A DNS record of the redirect target points to an internal address by mistake. (Website side)
- Sometimes A test or staging configuration went live. (Website side)
- Rare The redirect target is deliberately misleading. (Website side)
Is the website down? Check it now
One measurement point. Results explain what we saw, not a worldwide verdict.
Related messages
Sources
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