---
title: "What is Referrer? Definition & Examples | Kitbase"
description: "The URL or source that directed a user to your website, indicating where your traffic comes from."
canonical: https://kitbase.dev/glossary/referrer
---

[Home](/) [Glossary](/glossary) Referrer

Analytics

# What is Referrer?

The URL or source that directed a user to your website, indicating where your traffic comes from.

The referrer (or HTTP referer) is the URL of the page that linked to the current page. When a user clicks a link on another website, their browser sends the originating URL in the Referer header, allowing analytics tools to track where traffic comes from.

Referrer data helps you understand your traffic sources: which websites link to you, which social platforms drive visits, and which search engines send users your way. This information is essential for evaluating marketing channels and partnerships.

Note that referrer data isn't always available. Users arriving via bookmarks, direct URL entry, or some privacy-focused browsers will show as "direct" traffic. HTTPS-to-HTTP transitions also strip referrer data.

## Example

Your analytics shows that 30% of traffic comes from Google (organic search), 20% from a popular tech blog that reviewed your product, and 15% from Twitter. You decide to invest more in SEO and reach out to similar blogs for reviews.

## Related Terms

[

UTM Parameters

Tags added to URLs that identify the source, medium, and campaign driving traffic to your site.

](/glossary/utm-parameters)[

Pageview

A recorded instance of a user loading or viewing a specific page in a website or application.

](/glossary/pageview)[

Session

A group of user interactions within a given time frame, representing a single visit to your website or app.

](/glossary/session)[

Backlink

A link from another website pointing to yours, treated by search and AI engines as a signal of trust and relevance.

](/glossary/backlink)

## Track events with Kitbase

Capture custom events, analyze user behavior, and build funnels — all with a lightweight, privacy-friendly SDK.

[Explore Event Tracking](/event-tracking)