Google to Penalize Sites for Back Button Hijacking This June

United States - Ekhbary News Agency

Google has announced a significant policy update targeting "back button hijacking," a practice where websites prevent users from returning to a previous page by manipulating browser history. This deceptive user experience, often used to artificially inflate pageviews, will be officially classified as a malicious practice. Beginning June 15, 2026, sites that continue to engage in back button hijacking risk automated or manual anti-spam actions, including a substantial demotion in Google's search engine results pages (SERPs).

The tech giant emphasizes that the back button should consistently perform its expected function: returning the user to the prior page. Deviating from this expectation is seen as a breach of user trust, potentially discouraging future visits to unfamiliar websites. This enforcement action falls under Google's existing malicious practices policy, which addresses deceptive user experiences and compromised security. While some sites may have implemented this behavior intentionally, others might be affected by third-party libraries or advertising stacks. Regardless of the origin, website owners are urged to audit and eliminate back button hijacking before the June deadline to avoid penalties and maintain their search visibility.