How to Check if a URL Contains a Specific Word in JavaScript

In web development, there may be instances where you need to determine if a URL contains a specific word. This guide will walk you through various methods to accomplish this task in JavaScript.

let url = "https://www.example.com/path/name?query=string";
let word = "example";
let containsWord = url.includes(word);
console.log(containsWord); // true

To check if a URL contains a specific word, you can use the includes() method:

Checking if a URL contains a specific word can be useful in scenarios such as routing, analytics, or content filtering. JavaScript offers several ways to achieve this, including the includes() method, regular expressions, and indexOf(). In this guide, we’ll explore these methods with examples.

Using the includes() Method

The includes() method is a straightforward way to check if a string contains a specific substring. It’s simple, readable, and works well for this purpose.

Example 1: Using includes() Method

let url = "https://www.example.com/path/name?query=string";
let word = "example";
let containsWord = url.includes(word);
console.log(containsWord); // true

Explanation:

• url.includes(word) checks if the word exists in the url string.
• It returns true if the word is found, and false if it is not.

Using Regular Expressions

Regular expressions (regex) provide a more flexible way to search for words within a string, especially if you need to match patterns rather than exact words.

Example 2: Using Regular Expressions

let url = "https://www.example.com/path/name?query=string";
let word = "example";
let containsWord = new RegExp(word).test(url);
console.log(containsWord); // true

Explanation:

• new RegExp(word) creates a regular expression object from the word.
• .test(url) checks if the regular expression matches any part of the url.
• This method is particularly useful if you need case-insensitive matching or complex patterns.

Using indexOf() Method

The indexOf() method returns the position of the first occurrence of a specified value in a string. If the value is not found, it returns -1.

Example 3: Using indexOf() Method

let url = "https://www.example.com/path/name?query=string";
let word = "example";
let containsWord = url.indexOf(word) !== -1;
console.log(containsWord); // true

Explanation:

• url.indexOf(word) searches the url string for the word.
• If the word is found, indexOf() returns its position, which is >= 0.
• If the word is not found, indexOf() returns -1.

Conclusion

Checking if a URL contains a specific word in JavaScript can be done using various methods. The includes() method is the simplest and most readable, while regular expressions offer more flexibility. The indexOf() method, though slightly more verbose, is also a viable option. By understanding these techniques, you can choose the one that best fits your use case, ensuring your code is efficient and effective.