Overview
- Google expanded its spam policies Monday to label 'back button hijacking' a violation, with enforcement starting June 15.
- The tactic inserts or replaces pages in a user's browser history so the back button fails to return to the previous page.
- Sites that use it risk manual spam actions or automated demotions in Search, and those hit by manual actions can seek reconsideration after fixes.
- Site owners are accountable for third‑party libraries and ad stacks, so Google urges audits and the removal of any code that manipulates history before the deadline.
- Google cites rising use and user frustration for the change and places it under its 'malicious practices' policy that targets deceptive experiences.