How to Bookmark a Web Page Using JavaScript

Adding a webpage to a browser's favorites directly through JavaScript isn't widely supported due to security and privacy restrictions. However, you can use some alternative methods to guide users on how to add a page to their favorites manually.

Method 1: Using `window.external.AddFavorite` (Internet Explorer Only)

For Internet Explorer, you can use the window.external.AddFavorite() method. Here’s how it works:

1 function addToFavorites(url, title) {
2   if (window.sidebar) {
3     // Firefox
4     window.sidebar.addPanel(title, url, "");
5   } else if (window.external && "AddFavorite" in window.external) {
6     // IE
7     window.external.AddFavorite(url, title);
8   } else {
9     // Other browsers
10     alert("Press Ctrl+D to add this page to your favorites.");
11   }
12 }
13 
14 // Usage
15 addToFavorites("https://example.com", "Example Page");

Method 2: Prompt Users to Add to Favorites Manually

Since most modern browsers don’t allow direct bookmarking, you can display a message prompting users to add the page to favorites manually:

1 function showAddToFavoritesPrompt() {
2   alert("Press Ctrl+D to add this page to your favorites.");
3 }
4 
5 // Usage
6 showAddToFavoritesPrompt();

Method 3: Use a Bookmark Link

Create a draggable link that users can add to their bookmarks bar by dragging and dropping:

html

1 <a href="https://example.com" title="Example Page" draggable="true"
2   >Add this page to your favorites</a
3 >

Method 4: Use Progressive Web App (PWA) Features

Although there is no direct API to add favorites, you can enhance the experience by creating a PWA. The Web App Manifest allows users to save your site to their device's home screen.

json

1 {
2   "name": "Example App",
3   "short_name": "Example",
4   "start_url": "/",
5   "display": "standalone",
6   "background_color": "#fff",
7   "theme_color": "#000",
8   "icons": [
9     {
10       "src": "icon.png",
11       "sizes": "192x192",
12       "type": "image/png"
13     }
14   ]
15 }

Summary

JavaScript cannot directly add a webpage to favorites in most modern browsers, but these workarounds—manual prompts, draggable links, and PWA features—can help guide users to save your page to favorites, improving the user experience.