My new plugin FLEX REDIRECT is now available. Redirect visitors based on query strings. All information here.

Flex Redirect

As of: July 20, 2025, Plugin Pro Version 1.0.0

1. Introduction

Flex Redirect is a simple plugin for Joomla! 4 and Joomla! 5 that allows you to create redirects. The plugin checks whether certain parameters and values exist in the URL’s query string and redirects accordingly. You can configure the redirects individually within the plugin.

2. Requirements

Flex Redirect is a Joomla extension, so you need a Joomla website. The plugin works with Joomla versions 4.x and 5.x. Please ensure that at least PHP 7.4+ is running on your web server.

3. Installation & Update

When you download Flex Redirect from my website, you will receive a file named flexredirect_VERSION.zip or flexredirect_pro_VERSION.zip. VERSION stands for the current version of the plugin.

  1. Log in as a Super Administrator in the backend of your Joomla installation.
  2. Go to System and click on Install → Extensions
  3. Drag the file into the upload area or select the file using the upload button.

After the installation is complete, you will be notified. Navigate to the plugin (System → Manage → Plugins) and enable it.

If a newer version of the Flex Redirect plugin becomes available, you will be notified in the Joomla backend. You can then install the latest version directly via Extensions: Update. If you're using the Pro version of Flex Redirect, make sure you've entered a valid Download ID in the corresponding field. Alternatively, you can download the latest versions from my website and install them as explained above.

4. Setting Up Redirect Rules (Pro Version)

When you open the plugin, you can define redirects according to your needs. The plugin reads the query string from the URL and compares it to the specified rules. A query string might look like this: /example?id=1&color=white. If "color" is entered in the Parameter field and "white" in the Value field, the plugin will redirect to the address specified in the Target URL field.

Parameter: Enter the parameter (name) from the query string, e.g., "color".

Value: Enter the corresponding value for the parameter, e.g., "white".

Target URL: Enter the address to which the user should be redirected. This can be a relative or absolute URL. For relative URLs, make sure to start with a slash "/".

Redirect Type: Here you can choose the type of redirect. You can select between 301 (permanent), 302 (temporary), and 307 (temporary strict) to configure permanent or temporary redirects. This may be important for SEO. Note that the redirect type will only be applied if you enable the Redirect Type option in the plugin’s Settings tab. If it is disabled, a temporary 302 redirect will be used by default.

Regular Expression: Check the box if you want to use regular expressions for the redirect rule. Here are a few examples:

  • value=\d{4} → only four-digit numbers
  • page=(home|contact|about) → specific value groups
  • id=^abc → begins with "abc"

Language: Choose the language for which the redirect rule should apply. This is useful for multilingual websites. For example, you can set a different redirect for the German site (de-DE) than for the English site (en-GB). All installed languages will appear in the dropdown. To apply the redirect to all languages, select the corresponding option.

5. Setting Up Redirect Rules (Free Version)

In the free version of the plugin, you’ll find only one field for setting up redirect rules. Enter one rule per line in the following format: parameter=value:/target-url

Please note that some parameters are used internally by Joomla—such as "id", "option", "view", "ItemId", etc. You should avoid using these to prevent conflicts with Joomla or installed extensions. In the Pro version of Flex Redirect, you can choose whether or not to use these parameters.

You can set up as many redirects as you want, but only the first five will be used. If you need more, you must purchase the Pro version.

6. Settings *

Flex Redirect Pro offers additional configuration options. Click on the Settings tab to access them.

Allow Reserved Parameters (not recommended): Joomla uses certain parameters internally, such as 'id', 'view', 'option', which may cause conflicts. This option is disabled by default, so reserved parameters cannot be used. You can still enter them in the rules, but those rules will be ignored. Enable this option only if you know exactly what you're doing.

Redirect Type: If this option is enabled, the types defined in the redirect rules (301, 302, 307) will be used. If disabled, all redirects will default to 302.

6. Download ID *

If you purchased the Pro version of Flex Redirect, please enter your Download ID to receive updates via the Joomla update system.

7. Uninstallation

To uninstall the plugin, go to System, click on Install → Extensions, and then select Manage Extensions in the top menu. Select the Flex Redirect plugin and click Uninstall to remove it from your Joomla site.

8. Support

If you need help, please contact me via support ticket. Log into your user account and select Support from the top menu. I will respond as quickly as possible.

* available only in the Pro version