wp_get_referer()

Retrieve referer from ‘_wp_http_referer’ or HTTP referer.

Description

If it’s the same as the current request URL, will return false.

Return

(string|false) Referer URL on success, false on failure.

More Information

HTTP referer is a server variable. ‘referer’ is deliberately misspelled.

If page “refered” (form posted) to itself, returns false (because $_SERVER[‘HTTP_REFERER’] == $_REQUEST[‘_wp_http_referer’])

Source

File: wp-includes/functions.php 

function wp_get_referer() {
	if ( ! function_exists( 'wp_validate_redirect' ) ) {
		return false;
	}

	$ref = wp_get_raw_referer();

	if ( $ref && wp_unslash( $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] ) !== $ref && home_url() . wp_unslash( $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] ) !== $ref ) {
		return wp_validate_redirect( $ref, false );
	}

	return false;
}

Uses

Uses Description
wp-includes/functions.php: wp_get_raw_referer()

Retrieves unvalidated referer from ‘_wp_http_referer’ or HTTP referer.
wp-includes/formatting.php: wp_unslash()

Removes slashes from a string or recursively removes slashes from strings within an array.
wp-includes/pluggable.php: wp_validate_redirect()

Validates a URL for use in a redirect.
wp-includes/link-template.php: home_url()

Retrieves the URL for the current site where the front end is accessible.

Used By

Used By Description
wp-includes/class-wp-recovery-mode.php: WP_Recovery_Mode::handle_exit_recovery_mode()

Handles a request to exit Recovery Mode.
wp-admin/includes/post.php: the_block_editor_meta_box_post_form_hidden_fields()

Renders the hidden form required for the meta boxes form.
wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php: WP_Customize_Manager::get_return_url()

Get URL to link the user to when closing the Customizer.
wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php: WP_Terms_List_Table::handle_row_actions()

Generates and displays row action links.
wp-admin/includes/media.php: wp_media_attach_action()

Encapsulates the logic for Attach/Detach actions.
wp-admin/includes/misc.php: set_screen_options()

Saves option for number of rows when listing posts, pages, comments, etc.
wp-admin/includes/post.php: _admin_notice_post_locked()

Outputs the HTML for the notice to say that someone else is editing or has taken over editing of this post.
wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php: WP_Terms_List_Table::column_name()
wp-admin/includes/post.php: redirect_post()

Redirect to previous page.
wp-includes/pluggable.php: auth_redirect()

Checks if a user is logged in, if not it redirects them to the login page.
wp-includes/pluggable.php: check_admin_referer()

Ensures intent by verifying that a user was referred from another admin page with the correct security nonce.
wp-includes/functions.php: wp_nonce_ays()

Display “Are You Sure” message to confirm the action being taken.
wp-includes/functions.php: wp_original_referer_field()

Retrieve or display original referer hidden field for forms.

Changelog

Version Description
2.0.4 Introduced.

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Licensed under the GNU GPLv2+ License.
https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/wp_get_referer