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.