What are automatic redirects work and when should I use them?

Automatic redirects are browser-based fallback rules that quickly redirect broken links based on preset URL structures. Use them after bulk changes (like migrations or removing collections) when many 404s appear and you can’t catch every link individually. They’re simple, fast, and ideal for user experience when SEO isn’t your main goal.

What are automatic redirects?

Automatic redirects act like prebuilt pattern redirects. They detect 404 errors that match one of five preset URL structures and forward them to fixed destination URLs:

1. Product pages (e.g. /products/*).
2. Collection pages (e.g. /collections/*).
3. Pages (e.g. /pages/*).
4. Blogs and blog posts (e.g. /blogs/*).
5. All other broken links (e.g. /*).

Once enabled, these rules work in your customers’ browser using JavaScript so there's no need to manually map each broken link to a destination.

When should I use them?

Use automatic redirects when you don't need the advanced customisability of pattern redirects but:

• You’ve just migrated your store to Shopify

• You’ve discontinued collections, languages, or sections

• A large number of pages have broken links and you don’t know all the affected URLs

• You need a quick fix to reduce 404 traffic without setting up custom rules

They’re perfect for situations where redirect coverage matters more than SEO precision.

What’s the difference between automatic redirects and pattern redirects?

Need more control? Learn when to use pattern redirects →

Looking for SEO benefits? Try creating 301 redirects→

When should I not use automatic redirects?

• If SEO is a priority — create 301 redirects or import them in bulk instead

• If you need dynamic or structured redirects — use pattern redirects