Problem Summary -- URL Redirects in GHL cannot process paths containing “/post” because this slug is reserved by the blog engine. -- This limitation is not documented, not warned against, and not visible to users or support staff. -- Redirects fail silently, send visitors to the homepage, break SEO, cause link loss, and require unnecessary troubleshooting. -- In my case, it took more than 14 days of escalations to learn that redirects containing “/post” are not supported. Business Impact -- Agencies: Delayed launches, repeated retesting, registrar-level workarounds, and reduced client confidence. -- End Clients: Broken inbound links, loss of SEO equity, lower conversions due to failed redirects, and increased 404s. -- GHL Support & Engineering: More tickets, longer resolution times, cross-department confusion, and preventable escalations. -- This slows adoption of GHL’s blog system during migrations. Proposed Solutions -- Solution A: Add Reserved Path Detection --- When a user creates a redirect beginning with a reserved path (e.g., /post, /blog, /store), the system should warn or block the entry and recommend alternatives. --- Example: “Paths beginning with /post are reserved by the GHL blog system and cannot be redirected.” -- Solution B: Publish Documentation Listing All Reserved Paths --- Include /post, /blog (if applicable), /store, /member, /calendar, /appointment, and any other internal routes. --- Clarify what is allowed, what is blocked, and why. -- Solution C: Add Warning Indicators in Redirect Settings --- In Settings → Domains & URL Redirects, highlight redirects that cannot function due to reserved paths. --- Use a clear message, color-coded badge, or tooltip to explain the restriction. -- Solution D: Long-Term Enhancement: Redirect Priority Override --- Allow advanced users to prioritize a redirect so it executes before blog routing, where appropriate. Technical Considerations -- GHL’s router prioritizes internal modules over user-defined redirects. -- Redirects are evaluated after blog routing, causing conflicts. -- Users cannot see the routing hierarchy. -- Adding detection and documentation is a low engineering effort compared to override features. Expected Success Metrics -- Users & Agencies: Up to 80% reduction in redirect-related tickets, faster migrations, fewer SEO losses, stronger confidence in GHL websites/blogs. -- GHL Support: Clearer troubleshooting paths, fewer escalations, faster resolutions, improved CSAT. -- Product & Engineering: High ROI improvement, reinforces GHL as a full web platform. Recommended Rollout Plan -- Phase 1: Add documentation and validation warnings for reserved paths (quick win). -- Phase 2: Add UI warnings or indicators in the Redirects section; update support checklists. -- Phase 3: Consider implementing redirect-priority override and expanding redirect engine capabilities. Why This Matters -- Redirects are essential for SEO preservation, user experience, and smooth migrations. -- Clear documentation and detection prevent long delays and unnecessary troubleshooting. -- These enhancements increase trust, reduce support load, and strengthen GHL’s website/blog ecosystem.
