A masked redirect is a special type of URL forwarding that sends visitors from one web address to another while keeping the original URL displayed in the browser's address bar. Unlike a standard redirect, which changes the visible URL to the destination address, a masked redirect maintains the appearance of the original link. This technique is also known as URL masking or stealth redirect.

This functionality is commonly used for several purposes:

• Branding: To use a shorter, more memorable domain name while hosting content on a different server.
• Marketing: To create clean, trackable links for campaigns without exposing complex destination URLs.
• Privacy: To hide the actual server or directory structure from the end-user.

From a technical perspective, the redirect is typically implemented using an HTML <frame> or <iframe> element. The browser loads the destination page inside this frame, which is hosted on the original domain. This creates the illusion that the content belongs to the masked URL. However, there are important considerations:

• SEO Impact: Search engines may index the original (masking) page, not the destination content, which can harm search rankings for the actual site.
• Browser Limitations: Some modern security features in browsers may block or limit framing from external domains.
• User Experience: Bookmarks, sharing, and browser navigation (like the back button) can sometimes behave unexpectedly for users.

To set up a masked redirect, you usually access the domain management or forwarding settings in your hosting control panel. Look for options labeled "URL Forwarding" or "Domain Redirect" and select the "Masked" or "Stealth" mode. You will need to specify the destination URL. Remember, while useful for specific scenarios, masked redirects should be used judiciously due to their potential drawbacks for search engine optimization and user experience.