Redirects and the 404 log

Start hereRunning the siteRedirects and the 404 logA redirect sends visitors from an old address to a new one. The 404 log shows the addresses people tried that don't exist, so you can point them somewhere useful.Redirects made for youWhen you rename or move a published page and its address changes, Cairn adds a permanent redirect from the old address to the new one when you publish. Links people have saved, and search results, keep working.If the old address had redirects pointing at it, they are updated to point straight at the new address, so visitors never bounce through several steps.Redirects are a module. If you don't see Redirects and 404 Log under System in the sidebar, it is switched off for your site, renamed pages are not forwarded, and old addresses simply stop working. Ask whoever set up your site to turn it on.Adding a redirect

Go to Redirects and press New redirect.

In From (the broken path), type the old address, starting with a slash, such as /old-page.

In To (where it should land), type a page on your site, such as /about, or a full https:// address on another site. As you type, matching pages on your site are suggested.

Choose a Status (see below) and add Notes if you want to remember why.

Press Create redirect.

301 — Moved permanently is the right choice almost every time. Search engines move the old page's standing over to the new address.

302 — Found / temporary and 307 — Temporary are for a short-term detour, such as a page that is down for a week.

308 — Permanent works like 301.

A redirect wins over a page at the same address. If you redirect an address that still has a live page, visitors can no longer reach that page.Adding a redirect.Managing redirectsThe Redirects screen lists every rule with how many Hits it has had and when it was Last hit. Search with Search from, to or notes…, and sort by Recently hit, Most hits, From A–Z or Newest.

To edit one, click its row (or choose Edit from the … menu), change it and press Save changes.

To delete one, choose Delete… from the … menu and confirm.

To delete several, tick their rows and press Delete in the bar at the bottom.

A redirect can't point to itself, and it can't point to an address that is itself redirected: point it at the final page instead. Cairn tells you if you try.Deleting a redirect can't be undone. Visitors to that old address get a "not found" page again, and it starts appearing in the 404 log.The 404 logOpen 404 Log in the sidebar, or → 404 log on the Redirects screen. Every address someone asked for that doesn't exist is listed once, with how many Hits it has had and when it was Last seen.The Source & suggestion column says where the visitor came from, and suggests whether to redirect, delete or investigate:

internal: a link on your own site leads here. Find that link and fix it.

external: a link on someone else's site sent them here. This is usually the one worth a redirect. The other site's name is shown; click it to see the page.

direct: no link at all, such as a typed or bookmarked address.

bot: an automated visitor. Usually safe to delete.

Search with Search the path…, show one source with All sources, and sort by Recent, Most hits, Path A–Z or Source.The 404 log.Fixing and tidying the log

Click a row, or choose Create redirect… from its … menu.

The broken address is filled in. Pick where it should go from — Pick a destination page —; a suggested page may already be chosen.

Choose a Status and press Create redirect. The row leaves the log.

Hide UA… hides every row from a particular automated visitor, such as a search engine's crawler or a site checker. Edit the Mute pattern if you like and press Hide matching. Nothing is deleted; the rows are only hidden from this screen.

Hidden patterns are listed under Muted patterns at the top. Press ✕ on one to show its rows again.

Delete… removes a row. To delete several, tick them and press Delete in the bar at the bottom. If someone tries that address again, it comes back as a new row.

Old rows are tidied away by themselves each day. How long they are kept is set on the Redirects tab of Settings.← Emails the site sendsThe AI assistant →Getting startedPagesBuilding with blocksNavigation and lookMediaForms and leadsCatalogueShopBookings and membersRunning the siteCairnWebsites for businesses that need more than a brochure. Built, hosted and kept running by us.StartBuildRun© 2026 Cairn. All rights reserved.Built with Cairn.