wordpress wildcard redirect with path

2 min read 17-10-2024

When managing a WordPress site, you may find the need to implement a wildcard redirect for specific paths or subdirectories. A wildcard redirect allows you to redirect multiple URLs that match a particular pattern to a different location. This is particularly useful when you restructure your website or move content to a new domain. In this article, we'll explore how to set up wildcard redirects in WordPress effectively.

What is a Wildcard Redirect?

A wildcard redirect is a type of URL redirection that matches multiple URLs based on a defined pattern. For example, if you want to redirect all URLs that start with example.com/old-path/ to example.com/new-path/, you can use a wildcard to create a single redirect rule that captures all the URLs that follow the specified pattern.

Why Use Wildcard Redirects?

SEO Benefits: Wildcard redirects help preserve search engine rankings by directing traffic from old URLs to new ones.
User Experience: They prevent users from encountering 404 errors when trying to access outdated URLs.
Efficiency: Instead of creating individual redirects for every URL, you can manage multiple redirects with one rule.

Setting Up Wildcard Redirects in WordPress

Using a Plugin

One of the simplest ways to set up wildcard redirects in WordPress is by using a redirection plugin. Here’s how you can do it:

Install a Redirection Plugin: Popular options include Redirection or Simple 301 Redirects.
Configure the Redirect:
- Go to the plugin settings in your WordPress dashboard.
- Add a new redirect rule:
  - Source URL: Use a wildcard pattern like /old-path/*.
  - Target URL: Set the target URL, for example, /new-path/.
- Save the changes.

Using .htaccess (For Apache Servers)

If you’re comfortable editing server files, you can set up wildcard redirects using the .htaccess file. Here’s how:

Access Your .htaccess File: You can do this via FTP or your web hosting control panel.
Add Redirect Rules: Insert the following code at the top of the .htaccess file:
```
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^old-path/(.*)$ /new-path/$1 [R=301,L]
```
In this example:
- ^old-path/(.*)$ matches any URL that starts with /old-path/.
- /new-path/$1 redirects to /new-path/ while appending the matched part after old-path.
Save Changes: Make sure to save the .htaccess file after editing.

Using Nginx

For those using Nginx, you can set up wildcard redirects in your server block:

Access Your Nginx Configuration File.
Add the Redirect Rule: Insert the following line in the appropriate server block:
```
location /old-path/ {
    rewrite ^/old-path/(.*)$ /new-path/$1 permanent;
}
```
Reload Nginx: Apply the changes by reloading Nginx with:
```
sudo systemctl reload nginx
```

Testing Your Redirects

After setting up your wildcard redirects, it's crucial to test them to ensure they work as intended. You can do this by:

Visiting the old URL in your browser and verifying it redirects to the new URL.
Using online redirect checkers to analyze multiple URLs.

Conclusion

Wildcard redirects are a powerful way to manage URL changes on your WordPress site without losing traffic or SEO value. Whether you choose to use a plugin, modify your .htaccess file, or adjust your Nginx configuration, implementing these redirects is a straightforward process. Always remember to back up your site before making significant changes, and regularly check your redirects for any issues.