What is Google's new policy on back button hijacking?

Google will penalize websites that engage in back button hijacking, classifying it as a 'malicious practice' and potentially impacting search rankings.

When will Google enforce the back button hijacking policy?

Enforcement of the new policy against back button hijacking will begin on June 15, 2026.

Why is Google punishing back button hijacking?

Google is punishing back button hijacking because it interferes with browser functionality, breaks the expected user journey, and results in user frustration.

Home / Technology / Google Fights Back Button Hijacking

Google Fights Back Button Hijacking

14 Apr

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Summary

Google will penalize websites that manipulate browser back buttons.
This practice is now officially categorized as a 'malicious practice'.
Enforcement begins on June 15, 2026, with advance notice given.

Google announced a significant policy update targeting websites that manipulate users' browser back buttons. This practice, often referred to as 'history manipulation,' frustures users by preventing them from returning to previous pages as expected.

Google has officially classified back button hijacking as a 'malicious practice.' This designation signifies a deliberate creation of a mismatch between user expectations and the actual outcome, leading to a negative and deceptive user experience. Such sites risk manual spam actions or automated demotions in search rankings.

To allow website owners time to comply, Google is providing a two-month notice. Enforcement of this new policy will commence on June 15, 2026. The company has clearly stated that sites employing this tactic are expected to remove or disable it.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.