Introduction #

Domain blocking refers to a situation where a domain is restricted by a firewall (e.g., the GFW) in certain countries or regions. If your domain is blocked, government or regulatory bodies employ technical measures to limit or block it, making it impossible for users to access the corresponding website or service via standard internet connections. This renders your domain inaccessible in the affected region, typically due to stringent cybersecurity and internet governance policies. Below are the potential consequences of a domain being blocked:

Introduction #

Due to the existence of firewalls (e.g., the Great Firewall, or GFW), certain domains may be blocked (i.e., “walled off”), preventing direct access for users in China. In such cases, domain redirect services are a common solution, allowing traffic to be rerouted from a blocked domain to an unblocked one.

Below is a list of common redirect services and solutions for blocked domains, based on currently available information and widespread practices:

Introduction #

When one of your domains is blocked (i.e., “walled off” and inaccessible), you may want to use a 301 redirect (also known as a 301 permanent redirect) to guide users from the inaccessible domain (the blocked one) to another unblocked domain or server. This improves user experience and helps retain some of your traffic.

Confirming That a Domain Is Blocked #

Before setting up a 301 redirect, rule out other possibilities (such as network issues or DNS resolution problems) to confirm whether the domain is truly blocked. Typically, a blocked domain exhibits the following behavior: it cannot be accessed directly in some regions but remains accessible in others. Verify that your domain is indeed blocked and that this is the reason you wish to proceed with a 301 redirect.