How Can I Retrieve the Previous URL in JavaScript Without Using Cookies or Anchors?

JavaScript: Retrieving the Previous URL

Problem:

Navigating web pages often requires access to the previous URL without using anchors or cookies. Is there a JavaScript solution to this?

Answer:

Yes, the document.referrer property can provide the URL of the page visited before the current one. This property is typically populated when users click a link to navigate to the current page, but it may not be accessible in all cases.

Explanation:

For security and privacy reasons, window.history cannot be used to access URLs in the session. Access to historical URLs would allow websites to track user activity across different websites.

Usage:

console.log(`Previous URL: ${document.referrer}`);

Considerations:

While document.referrer can provide the previous URL, it may not be available in some scenarios, such as when users:

• Type the URL directly into the address bar
• Submit a form to navigate to the current page
• Access the page from a secure (HTTPS) website that links to a non-secure (HTTP) website

Alternatives:

For reliable state management within your own site, consider using:

• Cookies for storing data on the user's machine
• URL parameters for passing data in the URL
• Server-side session info for tracking user state on the server

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