DNS HTTPRED records are specialized DNS records used to perform HTTP redirects at the DNS level. These records enable automatic redirection of web traffic from one URL to another without requiring server-side configuration, providing a DNS-based solution for URL forwarding and domain management.
HTTPRED records are non-standard DNS records that some DNS providers offer to enable HTTP redirects directly through DNS configuration. When a user visits a domain with an HTTPRED record, the DNS provider's infrastructure automatically performs an HTTP redirect to the specified target URL.
These records are particularly useful for domain forwarding, temporary redirects during website migrations, or creating short URLs that redirect to longer destinations. HTTPRED records can typically be configured with different HTTP status codes such as 301 (permanent redirect) or 302 (temporary redirect).
When a browser makes a request to a domain with an HTTPRED record, the DNS provider's infrastructure intercepts the HTTP request and responds with an HTTP redirect response containing the target URL specified in the HTTPRED record. The browser then automatically follows this redirect to the destination.
This process happens at the application layer rather than the DNS layer, which means the DNS provider must operate HTTP servers that can handle these redirects. The actual DNS resolution returns the IP address of the DNS provider's redirect service, not the final destination.
HTTPRED records are convenient for simple redirects but have limitations compared to server-based redirects, such as reduced flexibility in redirect rules and potential SEO implications. They are best used for straightforward domain forwarding scenarios.
Here's what an HTTPRED record looks like for the domain example.com:
