# Referer Modifier

> Modify the Referer header of HTTP requests: Remove, shorten, replace with custom data, or keep the Referer depending on the target domain.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/referer-modifier](https://chrome-stats.com/d/referer-modifier)

## Overview

- **ID:** `referer-modifier`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Airtower
- **Category:** privacy-security
- **Daily users:** 816
- **Weekly downloads:** 22
- **Rating:** 4.08 / 5 (37 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.1.0
- **Last updated:** 2022-11-09
- **First published:** 2017-11-03
- **Size:** 44 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-07
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/referer-modifier/)
- **Website:** [https://github.com/airtower-luna/referer-mod](https://github.com/airtower-luna/referer-mod)

## Description

Referer Modifier is a powerful Chrome extension that lets you customize the HTTP Referer headers sent with your web requests. Tailor the Referer header for each target domain by either keeping it intact, pruning to just the origin, removing it entirely, replacing it with custom data, or sending the origin of the target URL as the Referer.

This extension supports fully configurable rules that apply based on the domain, allowing you to enhance your privacy or meet site requirements effortlessly. It also ensures the JavaScript `document.referrer` property matches the modified header for consistency. Easily export and import your settings via JSON files to maintain configurations across devices or for backup purposes.

## Rankings

- #3,717 — Overall
- #8 — modify
- #14 — reference
- #19 — target
- #120 — property
- #126 — replace

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `webRequest`
- `webRequestBlocking`
- `<all_urls>`
- `storage`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** Moderate risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Low risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Allows access to all websites, posing a significant security risk as it can monitor and modify data from any visited site.
- This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Review summary

Referer Modifier is generally reliable and useful for controlling the referer header to bypass server blocks (e.g., 403). Users report it runs in the background for years and works well across privacy-conscious Firefox setups, including different browsers like Waterfox. It’s particularly helpful for sites like Pixiv that depend on referer checks, and it can save developers time by avoiding custom code. Some users note the UI is not polished and that the add-on could benefit from a dedicated settings panel, but overall it delivers practical referer control.

### Pros

- Reliable, long-running background operation.
- Effectively controls the referer header to bypass 403s and access restrictions.
- Works across privacy-focused configurations and different browsers (e.g., Waterfox).
- Saves time by avoiding custom coding and fiddling with templates.

### Cons

- UI/UX is not polished and lacks a dedicated settings panel.

## Similar extensions and apps

- [Referer By Domain](https://chrome-stats.com/d/referer-by-domain) — 5 users, 5.00 / 5
- [Referer Control](https://chrome-stats.com/d/referercontrol) — 4,184 users, 3.02 / 5
- [Smart Referer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/smart-referer) — 2,429 users, 4.08 / 5
- [Auto Referer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/auto-referer) — 165 users, 4.00 / 5
- [controlref](https://chrome-stats.com/d/controlref) — 5 users
- [Toggle Referrer (with optional spoofing feature)](https://chrome-stats.com/d/togglereferrer) — 300 users, 4.58 / 5
- [Refererer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/refererer) — 2 users
- [Random Referral](https://chrome-stats.com/d/random-referral)
- [Full Request Referer Header Extension](https://chrome-stats.com/d/full-request-referer-extension) — 3 users, 5.00 / 5
- [URL Modifier by Gerbil](https://chrome-stats.com/d/url-modifier-by-gerbil) — 5 users
- [Referrer policy](https://chrome-stats.com/d/referrer-policy) — 6 users, 5.00 / 5
- [simple-modify-headers](https://chrome-stats.com/d/simple-modify-header) — 6,036 users, 4.62 / 5

---

Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/referer-modifier)