Detect If Page Is Load From Back Button

Have you ever wondered how to tell if a web page is loaded from the browser's back button? Understanding this can help you customize your user experience and make your web application more user-friendly. In this article, we'll dive into detecting whether a web page is loaded using the back button in the browser.

When a user navigates through a website and then clicks the back button on the browser, the behavior can be different from a regular page load. This distinction is important for developers who want to create a smooth and seamless user experience.

To detect if a page is loaded from the back button, we can utilize the `performance` object in JavaScript. The `performance.navigation` property provides valuable information about how the document was loaded.

To check if a page is loaded using the back button, we can use the following code snippet:

if (performance.navigation.type === 2) {
  console.log('Page loaded using the back button');
} else {
  console.log('Page loaded in a different way');
}

In this code, we are checking if the `performance.navigation.type` equals 2, which indicates that the page was loaded by navigating back in the browser's history.

By identifying when a page is loaded using the back button, developers can implement specific functionalities or adjust the user interface accordingly. For example, you can restore the user's previous scroll position, pre-fill form fields, or provide a message welcoming them back to the page.

Another approach to detecting if a page is loaded from the back button is by using the `popstate` event. This event is triggered whenever the active history entry changes, such as when the user navigates through their history using the back or forward buttons.

Here's an example of how you can use the `popstate` event to detect if a page is loaded from the back button:

window.addEventListener('popstate', function(event) {
  if (event.state && event.state.isFromBackButton) {
    console.log('Page loaded using the back button');
  } else {
    console.log('Page loaded in a different way');
  }
});

In this code snippet, we are checking if the `event.state.isFromBackButton` property is present, indicating that the page was loaded using the back button.

Understanding how to detect if a page is loaded from the back button can greatly enhance the user experience of your website or web application. By leveraging the `performance` object or the `popstate` event, you can create personalized interactions and improve user engagement.

Next time you're working on a web project, consider implementing these techniques to detect when a page is loaded using the browser's back button. Your users will appreciate the seamless and intuitive experience you provide!