No 301 redirect created when handle updated via API

[Slappadabass]

I am experiencing an issue with the following use case:

1. A product XYZ123 is published in PIM, which triggers creation of a product record in Shopify
2. The Shopify handle is generated by PIM using the product name and SKU: /this-product-here-xyz123
3. Marketer then uses the /this-product-here-XYZ123 URL to sell stuff
4. Product Manager makes a brand-required update of the product name to "Our Brand This Product Here" in ERP/PLM
5. ERP/PLM updates product name to "Our Brand This Product Here" in PIM 
6. PIM updates Shopify via the API and changes the handle/URL to /our-brand-this-product-here-xyz123

At this point:

• Unless I'm missing something, any external links to the product above are now broken, as a change to the handle/URL via API does not generate a 301 redirect
• I do understand that 301s are created when the handle/URL is updated within the product record in Shopify (when the option is selected)
• I'm looking to understand if there is some means to generate a 301 on any change to the handle/URL, as this created a significant issue for marketing efforts during BF/CM. 

[Liam]

Hi Slappadabass,

As per the current Shopify API documentation, there's no automated way to create 301 redirects when you change the product handle via API. The 301 redirects are only auto-generated when you modify the handle from within Shopify's admin panel and specifically opt for it.

However, as a workaround, you could use the Redirect API to manually create a redirect when a product URL changes. You would have to track the changes in your product URLs and create a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one every time a change occurs. 

Hope this helps,