Google Introduces New Spam Policy Against Back Button Hijacking
Key Points
- New spam policy targets back button hijacking practices
- Enforcement begins June 15, 2026 with ranking penalties
- Site owners must audit and remove interfering scripts
Summary
Google has announced a new spam policy targeting "back button hijacking" practices, which will be enforced starting June 15, 2026. This deceptive practice interferes with browser navigation by preventing users from returning to previous pages when clicking the back button.
Key Points
- Policy Definition: Back button hijacking occurs when sites interfere with browser navigation, redirecting users to unvisited pages or preventing normal back button functionality
- Enforcement Timeline: Policy takes effect June 15, 2026, giving site owners two months to make necessary changes
- Penalties: Violations may result in manual spam actions or automated demotions affecting Google Search rankings
- Technical Sources: Issues may originate from included libraries, advertising platforms, or site scripts
- Required Actions: Site owners must remove or disable any code that inserts manipulative pages into browser history
- Recovery Process: Sites can submit reconsideration requests through Search Console after fixing violations