Google is cracking down on websites that hijack the browser’s back button, classifying such actions as spam. This practice abuses the browser’s History API to keep users from navigating away by inserting fake entries into browsing history. Starting June 15, 2026, sites engaging in “back button hijacking” will face penalties, including manual spam actions and ranking demotions. Sites are responsible even if the offending code comes from third-party ad networks. Google outlines that any technique preventing users from returning to the previous page through history manipulation will be violated. Site owners must audit their technical stack to remove non-compliant code before enforcement begins.
Google’s new policy gives site owners a two-month grace period to comply, or risk visibility loss on search results. It extends Google’s existing spam regulations and arrives in response to the increased use of manipulative scripts for engagement and ad revenue. This measure aims to repair trust issues as users report feeling manipulated and less willing to visit unfamiliar sites due to back button hijacking. For site compliance, Google instructs the removal of any harmful scripts affecting browser history and navigation, expecting all indexed pages to adhere globally.
This initiative raises questions about Google’s role as a de facto regulator, since compliance incentives outweigh legislative timelines like the EU’s Digital Services Act. While this brings a clearer, more trustworthy web for users, it adds scrutiny for publishers balancing compliance with maintaining traffic.