News

Google to punish sites that trap people in with back button tricks

James Taylor 15/04/2026

Table of Contents

Google Targets Websites Using Back Button Manipulation Tactics

Google is expanding its policies to address websites that employ “back button hijacking” techniques. This method involves altering browser functionality to prevent users from navigating back to the prior page, often retaining them on the site or displaying unexpected advertisements.

In a recent blog post, Google, the developer of the Chrome browser, noted an increasing prevalence of this tactic, prompting them to take action. Effective June 15, the practice will be classified as a “malicious behavior,” leading to potential demotion in search rankings or removal from Google Search results.

According to Google, back button hijacking disrupts browser functionality, disrupts the anticipated user experience, and leads to frustration among users. “People report feeling manipulated and eventually less willing to visit unfamiliar sites,” the company added in its statement.

Examples of Targeted Actions

Google outlined that sites using methods to insert deceptive pages into a user’s browsing history, hindering their ability to return to the previous page, would face consequences. The tech giant emphasized that such practices break the expected user journey and create a sense of being controlled by the website.

“Such practices as back button hijacking erode the fundamental user experience and challenge the established norms of web navigation, making Google’s intervention both reasonable and necessary,” remarked Adam Thompson, director of digital at BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.

Website operators are urged to avoid any interference with browser navigation, advising them to conduct comprehensive reviews of their technical setups to prevent penalties. Additionally, sites that received penalties but later corrected the issue can submit a request to Google for a reconsideration of their demotion.