Free Guide Using Page Rules

Utilising Cloudflare for managing redirects is a brilliant solution, particularly for site owners who prefer to avoid modifying Server files such as .htaccess. Redirects are a frequent necessity in the realms of SEO and website upkeep, and I’m here to guide you through the straightforward process of establishing a permanent URL redirect using Cloudflare’s complimentary Page Rules. Below, I’ll reference the specific steps with helpful visuals.

In this instance, we opted to uninstall AMP to streamline our processes and enhance performance. However, we overlooked the fact that over 3000 articles contained lingering /AMP links scattered across the internet. (Refer to the screenshot on the right.)

Google, as highlighted in the Google Search Console for web administrators, does not favour “Alternate page with proper canonical tag,” and neither do we appreciate having dead links cluttering our site.

How to Set Up a Permanent (301) Redirect Using Cloudflare Page Rules

If you’ve ever changed a page name, altered your category structure, or combined two articles into one, you understand the struggle of ensuring that both search engines and visitors don’t encounter dead links. This is why we require a 301 Permanent Redirect, and luckily, Cloudflare makes this extremely straightforward, even on their free plan!

Here’s a step-by-step guide to seamlessly forward any outdated URL to a new one, all through a simple rule:

CLICK TO EXPAND THIS SCREENSHOT

1. Navigate to Page Rules

Begin by logging into your Cloudflare dashboard. On the left sidebar, locate the Rules section and select Page Rules. This section is pivotal for initiating specific actions, such as redirects, based on a URL pattern.

2. Create the New Rule

At the top of the Page Rules section, you’ll find the Create Page Rule button. Most users are entitled to 3 complimentary page rules courtesy of Cloudflare.

3. Define the URL Match Pattern

This is where you specify the old, incorrect, or outdated URL that you wish to redirect.

• In the “If the URL matches” field (which is labelled URL (required) in the graphic), enter the path of the original page.
• Pro Tip: If you need to redirect a whole range of URLs (like all pages in an old subdirectory), use the asterisk (*) wildcard. For example, *urtech.ca/old-page* will match any URL containing “urtech.ca/old-page,” allowing you to redirect numerous paths through one rule. For a specific page, simply enter the full path, such as https://www.urtech.ca/old-article-name/.

4. Set the Forwarding Action

In the “Then the settings are” section, you indicate to Cloudflare the action it should take when the URL matches your defined pattern.

• Select “Forwarding URL” from the dropdown menu.
• Ensure that the status code is set to “301 – Permanent Redirect”. This aspect is crucial for SEO, as it informs search engines to transfer all the “link juice” and authority from the old URL to the new one, thereby preserving your search rank.

5. Define the Destination URL

Finally, insert the new, accurate URL in the “Enter Destination URL” field. This is where both the visitor and search bots will be directed once the redirect rule is in effect.

Upon clicking Save and Deploy, your rule activates immediately, and Cloudflare manages the redirect process at the edge network level, ensuring rapid and efficient performance!

No need for plugins, no editing of .HTAccess files, and these redirects will persist through hosting changes (e.g., switching from GoDaddy to InMotion will not affect them).

The Conclusion Span

This simple Cloudflare Page Rule stands out as one of the most effective tools in any SEO toolkit. It instantly implements a Permanent (301) Redirect at the edge network level. Carrying out a 301 redirect is essential as it notifies Google and other search engines that the old URL is permanently removed and replaced by the new one.

This process ensures two critical outcomes: it successfully transfers the maximum amount of “link juice” and ranking authority from the old to the new page, thereby safeguarding your valued SEO; and it guarantees that any user or website linking to you is swiftly and reliably directed to the correct content, offering a seamless experience for both search engines and your visitors.