What is the URL Checker extension?#

URL Checker is an extension that automatically checks all URLs in your product XML feeds and reports any errors — for example, broken pages (404), redirects, or slow loading. This way you know your customers are not clicking on broken links, and you are not paying for clicks that lead nowhere. The extension works entirely on its own — after activation it runs the check automatically every 24 hours without any manual intervention.

The extension is ideal for:

  • Online stores that want to be sure their ads lead to working pages and do not want to waste money on clicks to error pages or redirects.
  • Marketing agencies and freelance specialists who manage multiple clients and need an overview of URL status across multiple online stores without time-consuming manual checks.

Pricing and billing#

The extension price is:

  • EUR 7 per month with monthly billing,
  • EUR 5.60 per month with annual billing.

The price applies to one online store (in Mergado) and is fixed, regardless of the number of URLs checked.

Due to technical dependencies, the extension is billed in accordance with the billing frequency chosen in Mergado Editor. Different billing frequencies cannot be selected for individual services.

The URL Checker extension has a 10-day free trial.

Requirements for running the URL Checker extension#

  • Active Mergado Editor account.

Key features#

  • URL functionality check — The extension detects broken links, redirects, slow loading, and server errors. It specifically detects the following error types:
    • redirects (status codes 301, 302),
    • page not found (404, 410),
    • server errors (500, 502, 503),
    • access denied (403),
    • SSL errors (-2),
    • request timeout (-3),
    • unknown errors (-1).
  • Automatic daily check — Every 24 hours it checks all URLs across all projects of the given online store. Under ideal conditions it can handle up to 43,200 URLs per day. Check requests are sent approximately every two seconds. The check does not need to be started manually, but it can be manually paused — for example during major technical work on the online store.
  • URL_STATUS_CODE element — The extension automatically creates a hidden element URL_STATUS_CODE in Mergado, where it continuously stores the status codes found during the check. The element is hidden, so it does not appear in the output feed. Based on this element, you can set up a rule in Mergado to automatically hide products with broken URLs (for example with a 404 error).
  • Notifications and error overview — When a larger number of erroneous URLs is detected, you receive an alert directly in Mergado. From the notification you can click through directly to the list of erroneous URLs for the specific online store.
  • Export to CSV — The list of all erroneous URLs can be exported to a CSV file, making it easier to share with your team and work through fixes efficiently.
  • No impact on Google Analytics — URL Checker works exclusively as a link checker and has no effect on data in Google Analytics or other analytics tools.

How to activate the URL Checker extension#

Activate the extension in Mergado Store: I want to activate → select the online store for which you want to enable the extension → Enable.

Working with URL Checker#

After activating the extension, all activity runs automatically in the background. Here is an overview of what you can monitor and control in the extension:

Error overview — In the URL Checker interface you can see a list of all detected erroneous URLs divided by the online store’s projects. Each URL shows the error type (status code).

Automatic product hiding — To prevent products with erroneous URLs from appearing in advertising channels, set up a hide rule in Mergado Editor using the URL_STATUS_CODE element that URL Checker creates.

Example: Create a product query in Mergado Editor with a condition that the URL_STATUS_CODE element contains the value 404. Then create a Hide product rule for this query, which hides the products in the output feed. This prevents customers from clicking through to non-existent pages. Similarly, the element can be used for other operations — for example, redirecting products with an erroneous URL to a category URL or the online store’s homepage.

Manual pause — If you are making extensive technical changes to your online store and do not want to be flooded with error reports, you can temporarily pause the check. Re-enable it once the changes are complete.

Export erroneous URLs to CSV — Download the erroneous URLs at any time in CSV format and share them with the online store’s development team for quick fixes.

Notifications — If a large number of errors appear in a check, Mergado will notify you with an alert. The notification contains the name of the online store and a direct link to the list of problematic URLs.

FAQ#

What is URL Checker and what is it used for?#

URL Checker is a Mergado Editor extension that automatically checks all product URLs in your XML feeds and reports any errors — for example broken pages (404), redirects, or slow loading.

It ensures your customers do not click on broken links and that you do not waste money on clicks that lead nowhere. The extension works entirely on its own — after activation it runs the check automatically every 24 hours without any manual intervention.

How often does URL Checker check addresses?#

The check runs automatically once every 24 hours. There is no need to start it manually. Check requests are sent to the online store approximately every two seconds, so the extension can handle up to 43,200 addresses per day per online store under ideal conditions.

What types of errors does URL Checker detect?#

The extension detects redirects (301, 302), page not found (404, 410), server errors (500, 502, 503), access denied (403), SSL errors (-2), request timeouts (-3), and unknown errors (-1).

Can URL Checker automatically hide products with broken URLs?#

Not directly. URL Checker creates a hidden element URL_STATUS_CODE in Mergado where it continuously records detected status codes. The actual hiding of products must be set up manually — in Mergado Editor you create a rule that hides products with a given status code. For example: create a product query with a condition that URL_STATUS_CODE equals 404, and set up a Hide product rule for this query.

Can the check be paused manually?#

Yes. If you are making extensive technical changes to your online store and do not want to be flooded with error reports, temporarily pause the check directly in the extension interface. Re-enable it once the changes are complete.

How will I find out about detected errors?#

When a larger number of erroneous URLs is detected, you will receive a notification alert directly in Mergado. The notification contains the name of the online store and a direct link to the list of problematic URLs. Erroneous URLs can also be exported to a CSV file at any time and shared with the online store’s development team.

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