External Permalinks Redux
Allows you to point WordPress objects (posts, pages, custom post types) to a URL of your choosing.
Use with caution
External Permalinks Redux works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 2K+ sites, is rated 5/5 and was last updated 8 months ago, and scores 50/100 on our health check.
- Very few reviews so far
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.9 (latest is 7.1)
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where External Permalinks Redux stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| external link | #12 |
| link | >100 |
| permalink | #12 |
| redirect | >100 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
Rating breakdown
★★★★★★★★★★ 5 from 4 reviews
About External Permalinks Redux
From the official readme · v1.3.2Description
Allows users to point WordPress objects (posts, pages, custom post types) to a URL of their choosing, which is particularly useful for injecting non-WordPress content into loops. The object appears normally in any loop output, but visitors to the object will be redirected to the specified URL. The plugin also allows you to choose the type of redirect, either temporary (302), or permanent (301).
Through a filter, the External Permalinks Redux meta box can easily be added to custom post types. There is also a function available for use with WordPress’ add_meta_box function.
This plugin was originally written for use on WordPress.com VIP. It is inspired by and backwards-compatible with Mark Jaquith’s Page Links To plugin, meaning users can switch between plugins without risk of losing any existing external links.
This plugin is translation-ready.
Installation
- Upload external-permalinks-redux.php to /wp-content/plugins/.
- Activate plugin through the WordPress Plugins menu.
Frequently asked questions
How can I add support for my custom post type?
Using the epr_post_types filter, one can modify the default array of object types (post and page) to include additional custom post types or remove the plugin from one of the default post types.
What other filters does this plugin include?
epr_meta_key_target – modify the meta key associated with the external URL epr_meta_key_type – modify the meta key associated with the redirect type epr_status_codes – modify array of available status codes used when redirect is issued
Changelog
Fixes translations when plugin is used with older WordPress versions.
1.3.2
- Fix translations when plugin is used with older WordPress versions.
1.3.1
- Fix translations in block editor.
1.3
- Introduce block-editor (Gutenberg) sidebar component for supported post types..
1.2
- Introduce
get_redirect_data()method to look up a post ID’s redirect. - Introduce PHPUnit tests
- Conform to current VIP Go Coding Standards.
1.1
- Introduce a filter to change the metabox title for clarity. Does break translation for that string if used.
- Add additional HTML classes in the metabox to aid customization.
- Coding standards and PHPDoc cleanup.
1.0.4
- Implement singleton pattern for instantiation. Thanks batmoo.
Screenshots
For developers
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Best External Permalinks Redux alternatives
All external link plugins →
FAQ
External Permalinks Redux: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 28, 2026
Is External Permalinks Redux free?
Yes. External Permalinks Redux is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is External Permalinks Redux safe to use in 2026?
External Permalinks Redux works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 2K+ sites, is rated 5/5 and was last updated 8 months ago, and scores 50/100 on our health check.
How many websites use External Permalinks Redux?
External Permalinks Redux is active on 2K+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 24,150 times since it launched in August 2011. It was downloaded 260 times in the last 30 days.
Does External Permalinks Redux work with WordPress 7.1?
External Permalinks Redux is officially tested up to WordPress 6.9.9, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
What PHP version does External Permalinks Redux need?
External Permalinks Redux requires PHP 5.2 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was External Permalinks Redux last updated?
The latest version, 1.3.2, was released on January 16, 2026 (8 months ago).
Who makes External Permalinks Redux?
External Permalinks Redux is developed and maintained by Erick Hitter.
What are the best alternatives to External Permalinks Redux?
The most popular alternatives to External Permalinks Redux are Broken Link Checker (500K+ installs), Page Links To (100K+ installs) and Pz-LinkCard (20K+ installs).
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