referrer

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/rɪˈfɜːrər/
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A source that sends someone or something onward, especially a person making a referral or the web page that led a visitor to another page.
Practice using referrer in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • A strict policy can hide the full referrer URL.
  • A trusted referrer can help a candidate get noticed.
  • The report identifies the original referrer of the complaint.
  • The application asks for the name of the referrer.
  • The browser may trim the referrer on a cross-site request.

Similar words

reference
recommender
source
sponsor
referral source
sender
origin
referring page
incoming URL
traffic source

Meanings

Person who refers

noun
everyday
neutral
A person, organization, or document that directs someone to another person, service, source, or place.

Examples

  • The clinic thanked the referrer for the detailed notes.
  • Each referrer receives an update when the case is accepted.
  • The application asks for the name of the referrer.
  • A trusted referrer can help a candidate get noticed.
  • The report identifies the original referrer of the complaint.

Similar words

source
recommender
sponsor
reference
introducer
sender

Web source URL

noun
technical
technical
The web page, URL, or traffic source that led a browser or visitor to the current resource, often recorded for analytics or sent in HTTP referrer information.

Examples

  • The analytics dashboard shows Google as the main referrer.
  • A missing referrer can make a visit look direct.
  • The browser may trim the referrer on a cross-site request.
  • The server logs the referrer for each page view.
  • A strict policy can hide the full referrer URL.

Similar words

source
referring page
origin
traffic source
incoming URL
referral source

Etymology

Formed from the verb refer plus the agent suffix -er, meaning one that refers. The web term is tied to HTTP history, where the request header was standardized with the misspelled name Referer, while the correctly spelled referrer remains common for the general concept and for related features such as document.referrer and Referrer-Policy.

FAQ

What does referrer mean?

A referrer is a person, organization, document, web page, or URL that sends someone or something to another place.

Is referrer spelled with two r's?

Yes. The ordinary English word is spelled referrer, with double r after refer.

Why is the HTTP header called Referer?

The HTTP header name was standardized with the misspelling Referer, so that spelling remains the exact technical name.

What is a referrer in analytics?

In analytics, a referrer is the source page, site, or channel that sent a visitor to the current page.

Can a referrer be empty?

Yes. Direct visits, privacy settings, and referrer policies can leave the referrer empty or reduced.

What is the plural of referrer?

The plural is referrers.

Is referrer the same as referral?

No. A referrer is the source that sends someone onward, while a referral is the act, request, or lead created by that source.

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