Laravel 7 add a Back button ONLY when search results display

I am trying to figure out how to add a BACK button only when search results in my simple search takes place. I added some pseudo code in the Controller below (the sad if statement in the code) but I am not sure how to work this out or if it should be in the controller or the view.

   public function search(Request $request)
    {
        $search = $request->get('search');

        $contacts = DB::table('contacts')
        ->where('first_name', 'like', '%' .$search. '%')                          
        ->paginate(10);

        //TRYING TO ADD THIS TYPE OF FUNCTIONALITY:::::::::::
        if (search occurs) {
            # then add "back button to view"
            <a href="">Back</a>
        }


        return view('contacts.index', ['contacts' => $contacts]);
    }