In This Tutorial
Intelligent Matching Algorithm
Our proprietary scoring system analyzes every broken URL and finds the perfect match from your store's content. It's like having an SEO expert redirecting every lost visitor.
Scoring Factors
URL Path Match
Exact or partial path segment matching
Keyword Extraction
Title, handle, and slug analysis
Content Type Match
Product to product, collection to collection
Semantic Similarity
Related words and synonyms
How Matching Works
Parse the Broken URL
Extract path segments, handle, and query params
Search Your Catalog
Scan products, collections, pages, and articles
Score Each Candidate
Apply scoring factors to rank matches
Redirect to Best Match
Highest score wins, visitor is rescued!
Live Matching Example
Broken URL:
/products/mens-vintage-leather-wallet-brown
/products/classic-leather-wallet
Matched: "leather", "wallet" | Type: Product
Best Match
/collections/leather-goods
Matched: "leather" | Type: Collection
Partial
/products/canvas-backpack
No significant match
Low
High Confidence
Excellent match
Strong keyword overlap, same content type, and semantic similarity. Visitor will likely find what they wanted.
Medium Confidence
Good match
Related content with some keyword matches. Better than a 404 page, keeps visitor engaged.
Fallback
Uses fallback
No strong match found. Redirects to your configured fallback (homepage or custom page).
Settings & Configuration
InterLinks404 offers flexible configuration to match your store's needs. Access these settings from Settings → 404 Detection in the InterLinks app.
Fallback Behavior
Choose what happens when no matching content is found:
Advanced Options
Always Match Products
Prioritize matching 404 URLs to products first
Transparent Redirect
Skip the interstitial page and redirect immediately
Custom Interstitial Messages
Customize the messages shown during the redirect process. Visitors see a brief "searching" and "found it" message before being redirected.
Finding the best match...
Please wait while we search
404 Logs & Analytics
What the Logs Show
- Broken URL: The original 404 URL that was accessed
- Redirected To: Where the visitor was sent
- Confidence: The algorithm's match score (higher = better match)
- Hits: How many times this 404 was triggered
Why Logs Matter
- Identify which old URLs are still getting traffic
- See how effective the matching algorithm is
- Discover broken links from external sources (Google, social media)
- Create permanent redirects for high-traffic 404s
Best Practices
Keep Your Catalog Updated
The more products and collections you have, the better the algorithm can find matches. Add descriptive titles and handles.
Review Logs Regularly
Check your 404 logs weekly. High-traffic 404s might warrant permanent Shopify redirects.
Use Transparent Redirect Wisely
Enable transparent redirect for a seamless experience, but keep it off if you want visitors to see the "we found it!" message.
Test with Real URLs
After enabling, test with known broken URLs to see how the algorithm performs for your specific catalog.
Important Note
If you're using a custom 404 page or another redirect app, InterLinks404 may conflict. Test thoroughly after enabling and contact support if you need help with configuration.
Ready to Rescue Lost Visitors?
Enable InterLinks404 in your Settings and start turning 404 errors into opportunities.
Open InterLinks Settings