Websites that hijack your back button must stop by June 15 or face Google’s wrath

Have you ever clicked the back button on your browser, only to find yourself stuck on the same site? This frustrating experience, known as back button hijacking, will no longer be tolerated by Google after June 15. The tech giant has declared this practice a "malicious behavior," promising repercussions for any website that continues to employ it. Back button hijacking is primarily used by sites that rely heavily on search traffic, aiming to increase their pageviews at the expense of user experience. When you navigate to a page that piques your interest, instead of allowing you to return to where you came from, these sites manipulate your browsing history. This often leads to surprise redirects to content suggestions or pop-ups designed to keep you engaged, even when you intended to leave. Some websites, like LinkedIn, employ this tactic more aggressively, often sending users back to their social feeds instead of allowing a seamless return to the previous page. With Google's new stance, such practices will face increased scrutiny and potential penalties, marking a significant shift in how user navigation is managed online.