Redirect Errors in Blogger: Causes, Fixes & Google Indexing Recovery Guide

Introduction

Seeing “Redirect error” in Google Search Console is one of the most alarming experiences for Blogger users. Unlike some indexing warnings, redirect errors can completely block Google from accessing your pages, meaning your content may never be crawled or indexed at all.

Many bloggers panic, delete posts, change URLs, or request indexing repeatedly — which often makes the situation worse.

This authority guide explains what redirect errors really mean in Blogger, why they happen, how they affect Google indexing, and — most importantly — how to fix them safely without damaging your site.

What Is a Redirect Error According to Google?

A redirect error occurs when Googlebot:

• Encounters too many redirects
• Falls into a redirect loop
• Hits a broken redirect chain
• Cannot reach a final, crawlable URL

When this happens, Google stops crawling the URL entirely.

This is not a penalty. It is a technical failure.

Why Redirect Errors Are Common on Blogger

Blogger automatically manages redirects in the background. While this is convenient, it also means mistakes can multiply silently.

Common Blogger-specific causes include:

• HTTP → HTTPS conflicts
• www vs non-www inconsistencies
• Custom domain misconfiguration
• Feed and label redirects
• Mobile (?m=1) URL confusion
• Deleted or renamed posts

Understanding these causes is essential before fixing anything.

Major Types of Redirect Errors in Blogger

1️⃣ HTTPS Redirect Loops

Blogger forces HTTPS by default. Problems occur when:

• HTTPS is enabled in Blogger
• But external redirects force HTTP

Result:

HTTP → HTTPS → HTTP → HTTPS (loop)

Googlebot abandons crawling.

2️⃣ www vs Non-www Conflicts

If your custom domain redirects inconsistently:

• example.com → www.example.com
• but some links point to non-www

Google may detect redirect confusion.

3️⃣ Feed URL Redirect Errors

Blogger feeds like:

• /feeds/posts/default

If blocked or redirected incorrectly, Google can:

• Fail to discover posts
• Report redirect errors

4️⃣ Label & Archive Redirect Issues

Label URLs (/search/label/…) are auto-generated.

Blocking or redirecting them incorrectly can cause:

• Soft redirect loops
• Crawl traps

5️⃣ Deleted or Renamed Posts

When you:

• Change post URLs
• Delete indexed posts

Without proper redirects, Google hits dead ends.

How Redirect Errors Affect Google Indexing

Redirect errors cause:

• Crawl abandonment
• Indexing delays
• Loss of crawl budget
• Deindexing of existing pages

If redirect errors occur site-wide, even good content won’t index.

Step-by-Step: How to Fix Redirect Errors in Blogger

Step 1: Check HTTPS Settings

Go to: Settings → HTTPS

Ensure:

• HTTPS Availability: ON
• HTTPS Redirect: ON

Avoid external HTTP redirects.

Step 2: Fix Custom Domain Redirects

Ensure only ONE version exists:

• https://www.example.com

Redirect all others to it.

Inconsistent domain signals confuse Googlebot.

Step 3: Avoid Manual Redirect Scripts

Do NOT add:

• JavaScript redirects
• Meta refresh redirects

Let Blogger handle redirects natively.

Step 4: Handle Deleted URLs Properly

If a post is deleted:

• Let it return 404
• Do NOT redirect all posts to homepage

Mass redirects are harmful.

Step 5: Review robots.txt Carefully

Incorrect rules can trigger redirect issues.

Avoid blocking:

• Important feed URLs
• Core post paths

Step 6: Test URLs

Use:

• GSC URL Inspection
• Browser redirect checker

Ensure:

• One clean redirect
• Reachable final URL

What NOT to Do (Critical)

❌ Don’t redirect everything to homepage ❌ Don’t change URLs repeatedly ❌ Don’t request indexing before fixing redirects ❌ Don’t block URLs randomly

When Will Google Recover After Fixing Redirects?

Typical recovery timeline:

• Minor issues: 3–7 days
• Site-wide issues: 2–4 weeks

Google must re-crawl affected URLs.

How to Prevent Redirect Errors in the Future

• Avoid frequent URL changes
• Keep domain settings stable
• Limit third-party scripts
• Monitor GSC regularly

Prevention is easier than recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are redirect errors dangerous?

Yes, if unresolved. They block crawling.

Should I redirect old posts?

Only when necessary and individually.

Do redirects affect rankings?

Incorrect redirects can destroy rankings.

Is this common on Blogger?

Yes, especially with custom domains.

Conclusion

Redirect errors are not mysterious — they are fixable technical problems. When corrected properly, Google resumes crawling and indexing naturally.

Always fix redirect errors before working on content or SEO improvements.