Document a website domain change without losing references
Follow the real destination, compare content and publisher, and update links, citations and bookmarks with a migration record.
Follow the method ↓
The answer in 30 seconds
An old link may redirect to a new address, a homepage or different content. Replacing a domain everywhere without reading the pages can damage a bibliography or directory. This method concerns public links; never send private URLs to third-party checkers.
Open the old address, record the destination and compare the expected content. HTTP 301 indicates a permanent technical move, not proof of publisher continuity. Confirm the current name through the site’s introduction and publisher information, then link to the equivalent page.
Examples to adapt
Fictional example: a subdomain redirects to a standalone domain. Update the address and confirmed current name while retaining the record’s stable internal ID.
Fictional example: a cited report now opens a homepage. Find the exact report before considering the citation repaired.
Follow the method
- 1Preserve the original reference
Record old URL, cited title, author or publisher and original access date. Remove parameters containing personal information before sharing a log.
- 2Observe the destination
Open the link and record the final address. Technical checks should record HTTP status, redirect steps and check date separately. HTTP 200 only records a response.
- 3Compare document and identity
Find the useful page and matching subject rather than accepting a homepage. Check publisher information for the current name. If the document disappeared, seek an archive and identify it as historical.
- 4Update and test
Change address, label and cited name according to confirmed observations. Test destination and language. Keep old link, new address and the reason in your log.
A checklist to keep
Use these checks to record your observations. They are a reading aid, not an automatic assessment.
| Check | What to examine | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Original | URL, title, publisher | Preserve context |
| Observation | Destination, HTTP, date | Separate response and content |
| Equivalence | Subject, language, identity | Confirm before replacement |
| Update | Current URL and name | Test and keep the record |
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What to check
Do not infer new email addresses from website domain changes.
Do not give a historical source a title it never had.
403 responses and timeouts need investigation, not closure assumptions.
Common questions
Should the record ID change?
Retain a stable ID when the subject remains the same. Address and display name are separate fields.
Does a 301 prove the same owner?
No. Check publisher information separately.
How should I cite an archive?
Retain historical title and date, identify capture provenance and distinguish it from the current page.
Sources and documentation
Documentation consulted on . Examples are illustrative; interfaces and results may change.
Continue with a specialist resource
These websites belong to our network. Each has its own editorial scope; check its current information before relying on it.
Reference record for this resource
Identify the publisher, official destination and practical checks before using the service.
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