Pageregel

Pageregel is a rule used to control the behavior of web pages based on their URL. In Dutch, it translates to page rule and is used in web hosting, content delivery networks, and content management systems to apply specific settings to defined paths or pages. A pageregel combines a URL pattern with actions to perform when a request matches that pattern, such as redirects, rewrites, header changes, or caching directives.

It can be implemented at different levels: in a CDN or reverse proxy (for example, page rules in a content delivery network), in a web server via URL rewriting or redirection rules (Apache, Nginx), or within an application's routing configuration. The aim is to influence behavior without altering application code.

Patterns typically use wildcards or path prefixes, and in many systems rules are evaluated in a defined order; the first matching rule often determines the outcome. Common actions include forcing HTTPS, redirecting to another URL, rewriting a path, and setting or overriding response headers or caching settings.

Benefits include improved performance, security, and SEO control, while risks involve unintended redirects, caching anomalies, or conflicting rules. Practical guidance emphasizes testing, documenting the rule set, and avoiding overly broad patterns that affect unrelated pages.