How can I fix automatic redirect issues in Webflow when changing page slugs within a folder?

When you change a page slug within a folder in Webflow, the platform may automatically create a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one. This can lead to unexpected redirect loops or conflicts.

1. Understand How Webflow Handles Slug Changes

• Webflow automatically adds 301 redirects when you change a page slug.
• These redirects are visible and editable in the Project Settings → SEO → 301 Redirects section.
• If you change slugs within a folder, Webflow may update the redirect path incorrectly or incompletely.

2. Check Existing 301 Redirects

• Go to your project’s Project Settings → SEO → 301 Redirects.
• Review any redirects that point from the old slug to the new one.
• Look for broken chains or circular redirects—e.g., Page A → Page B, while Page B is redirected back to Page A.

3. Remove or Update Problematic Redirects

• Delete any 301 redirects that are no longer needed or are forming loops.
• If you need to manually adjust a redirect (e.g., from /folder/old-slug to /folder/new-slug), ensure it's set correctly and not overridden by conflicting redirects.

4. Clear Page Slug History (If Needed)

• Webflow may "remember" the old slug and auto-assign the redirect again.
• A workaround is to temporarily:
• Change the slug to something else briefly (e.g., from new-slug to temp-slug).
• Publish the site.
• Then change it back to the desired slug (new-slug) and publish again.
• This can help clear auto-generated rules that Webflow added.

5. Avoid Duplicate Page Paths

• If multiple pages or CMS items generate similar URLs due to folder structure (e.g., multiple /blog/new), Webflow can trigger conflicts and redirects.
• Ensure every page URL is unique, especially when using folders and collection structures.

6. Republish Your Site

• After adjusting redirects or slugs, always republish the site to apply changes.
• Test your changes in an incognito browser to make sure redirects behave as expected.

Summary

To fix automatic redirects caused by slug changes in Webflow folders, go to Project Settings → 301 Redirects, remove or correct any conflicting rules, and republish your site. If Webflow continues to enforce an unwanted redirect, temporarily change the slug path, publish, then reset it to fully clear redirect memory.