Changelog

We’re happy to announce that the Ablestar Link Manager is now embedded within the Shopify admin. This means that you can access your broken link reports without leaving the Shopify admin and also give you the option to pin the app to the sidebar.

This update involved a significant rewrite of our application. If you encounter any issues while using the app please contact us and we’ll resolve them as quickly as possible.

Ablestar Link Manager now uses app embed blocks instead of script tags to track visits to 404 error pages. App embed blocks provide a better-performing way to track broken link visits and ensure that the app will remain compatible with the newest themes and versions of the Shopify API.

App embed blocks require a store administrator to enable the block within the Shopify admin. For existing users of the app, tracking will continue to work using the script tags but we recommend that you log in to the app and enable the app block instead.

For the last three years we have implemented a feature freeze during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday season. The primary goal is to maintain the stability of our app.

We’ve found that, after a certain point, most of the bugs we encounter stem from recent changes or additions to the app. By refraining from making any changes or introducing new features for a brief period, we can minimize the chances of disruptions and ensure smooth operation throughout the holiday season.

Previously, when creating redirects, the Link Manager treated all URLs as case insensitive, turning any uppercase characters in your ‘Redirect To’ field to lowercase.

Now, we’ve refined this: while Shopify URLs remain case insensitive, we’ve ensured that the capitalization you input in the ‘Redirect To’ field is preserved. This is particularly crucial for redirects leading off Shopify where URL capitalization might matter.

Previously, when you conducted a scan for broken links on your website, the download of the results would yield a CSV file filled with raw data. We’ve made a key upgrade to this export functionality.

Instead of a CSV file, you will now receive an Excel file when you download the results of a broken link scan. The Excel file includes some built-in filtering options, as well as built-in hyperlinks.

While Shopify offers a default feature that allows for specific URL redirects, our recent update introduces a more flexible approach: Wildcard or Pattern Redirects.

Instead of defining specific URLs, these pattern redirects allow you to set up a system where any URL that matches a given pattern will be redirected accordingly. For instance, creating a pattern redirect for* “old page/*” ensures that any URL under the “old page” directory (like “old page/A” or “old page/B”) will be redirected to your defined destination, such as the homepage.

Previously in the Link Manager App, we tracked instances where visitors landed on 404 ‘page not found’ pages under the term ‘Visitor Errors’. To clarify the purpose and ensure better understanding, we’ve renamed ‘Visitor Errors’ to ‘Broken Link Visits’.

This new terminology reflects instances when someone visits a broken link on your site. The change is reflected throughout the app and any associated email reports.

We’ve improved our Link Manager’s site scan tool. It will now better identify and report broken links on your Shopify site, even when multiple pages refer to the same broken link. You may notice minor changes in your reports compared to previous weeks due to these enhancements.

We are establishing a code freeze between November 21 and November 30. During this period we will only deploy critical fixes. The idea is to reduce the possibility of introducing bugs and unexpected system interactions that could cause the service to be compromised during the peak days of the holiday season.

After November 30 we will resume deploying changes as usual.