Overview
- Google Search, which published the update Monday, now treats back button hijacking as a malicious spam violation with actions starting June 15, 2026.
- Back button hijacking means a site alters browser history so the back button does not return to the prior page and can instead push new pages, ads, or loops.
- Violations can trigger manual spam actions or automated ranking demotions, and sites that fix issues can request reconsideration in Search Console.
- Google warns that offending code often comes from third‑party ad scripts or libraries, so publishers are responsible for auditing and removing those integrations.
- Google says it has seen this behavior rise, and the policy aims to protect user trust while signaling that sites risk traffic losses if they ignore the two‑month window.