Technology Help Website: Redirect a Page

It is helpful to create a redirect when retiring a webpage. This helps users that have old bookmarks or saved URLs get directed to updated information. 

There are two steps involved in creating a redirect in Drupal:

1. Creating a Redirect
   • Creating a redirect from a content page 
   • Creating a redirect from the URL Redirects page
2. Removing Aliases to the Redirected page

Once you have completed both steps, be sure to test that your redirect is working as desired.

Note: Content editors with page publishing permissions in the Technology Help Website can create and edit redirects and aliases. If you do not have the ability to create the redirect yourself, you can request a redirect by submitting an OIT Digital Content and Communications Request. Also, if you are uncertain if a redirect is needed, you can submit the request and someone will help you make this determination.

Step 1: Creating a Redirect

There are two ways to create a redirect in Drupal. You can either navigate to the page where you want your audience to be redirected and create the redirect from there, or you can go to the URL Redirects page from the main navigation bar in Drupal to create the redirect.

Creating a redirect from a content page: 

1. Navigate to the page where you want your audience to be redirected.
2. Select the Edit tab.
3. In the right sidebar, select the URL Redirects expandable link. A list of redirects to that page will appear, if there are any.
   
4. Select the Add URL redirect button. In a new tab the Add URL redirect page will load. 
5. In the Path field, type the human-readable URL of the page you want to redirect. For example: services-technologies/resources/[insert-page-title]
6. Notice that the To field is already filled in for you.
7. Select a Redirect Status, if necessary. The default 301 Moved Permanently is usually the appropriate choice.
8. Select the Save button.

Creating a redirect from the URL Redirects page

1. From the main navigation bar, select Configuration.
2. Select Search and Metadata.
3. Select URL Redirects.
4. Select Add redirect.
5. In the Path field, enter the human-readable URL of the page you want redirected.
6. In the To field, type the title of the page to which you are redirecting. As you are typing, a list of pages will appear from which you can select the intended page.
7. Select a Redirect Status, if necessary. The default 301 Moved Permanently is usually the appropriate choice.
8. Select the Save button.

Step 2: Removing Aliases to the Redirected Page

Since aliases take precedence over redirects in Drupal, your redirect may not work until you remove any existing aliases to the page you have redirected. 

1. From the main navigation bar, select Configuration.
2. Select Search and Metadata then select URL Aliases.
3. In the Filter Aliases field, enter the human-readable URL of the page you redirected in Step 1 above. For example: services-technologies/resources/[insert-page-title].
   • You will find at least one alias which shows the human-readable URL pointing to the node number (system path). 
4. Select the arrow next to the Edit button and select Delete. A confirmation screen will appear.
5. Select the Delete button.

Additional Information

• Understand How URLs Work in Drupal
• Aliases vs. Redirects (External Resource)