Context: The correct URL structure for the domain is
https://domain.com
Other non-preferred permutations with non-https or www, such as
https://www.domain.com, http://domain.com, or http://www.domain.com
will automatically redirect to the correct URL on homepage and other URL paths, but the non-https, www version will redirect in this fashion (a redirect chain):
Setting aside Shopify’s strange policy to use a 307 temporary redirect, is this multi-redirect chain “normal” and unavoidable, or is it something that can be resolved in or Shopify Domain or the DNS provider settings?
To reiterate, my goal is to require the following (one redirect rather than a chain) if possible under the following circumstance, and everything else is fine:
Yes it’s normal. They are 2 separate layers (tls vs app), doing completely different things. Collapsing them into one isn’t possible with standard dns and shopify’s infrastructure. Non-issue.
This is a largely a non-issue for seo as well. Google handles the redirect chains well, https://domain.com is what gets indexed. Just make sure all your links are the same format so the chain is never triggered in the first place. And make sure in Settings-Domains that you are redirecting all domains to the right one. Easy peasy.
Yes, this is normal on Shopify. The first hop upgrades HTTP to HTTPS at Shopify’s edge, then Shopify applies the primary-domain redirect from www to the apex domain. DNS settings cannot combine those steps because DNS does not control URL redirects.
What I’d do today:
Confirm the apex domain is set as the primary domain under Settings, Domains.
Enable redirect all traffic to the primary domain.
Update navigation, theme code, sitemap references, ads, and email links so they all use the final HTTPS apex URL.
Check backlinks you control and update any that still use HTTP plus www.
You generally cannot remove this chain without putting a proxy or CDN in front of Shopify, which adds complexity and usually is not worth it. The chain is unlikely to cause an SEO issue if internal links and canonicals point directly to the primary URL.
Adding a quick +1 to what’s already been said. This is indeed normal Shopify behavior and nothing to worry about.
I’ve seen merchants stress over this exact chain, thinking it’s a technical SEO issue, but in practice, Google handles these redirects easily. What matters most is that your internal links, sitemap, and canonicals all point to the final HTTPS apex URL.
One small tip: if you’re running ads, make sure your destination URLs also use the final format (https://domain.com). That way you avoid the chain entirely for paid traffic.
But honestly? This is one of those things that looks worrying in a tool like Screaming Frog but doesn’t actually impact your rankings."