The back button hijacking, a deceptive technique that interferes with normal browser behaviour, redirecting users to pages they never intended to visit and disrupting their browsing experience. Google is taking decisive action against this growing issue. In a newly announced update to its spam policies, the company has explicitly classified back button hijacking as a violation, with enforcement set to begin on June 15, 2026. At the heart of this policy update lies a broader commitment to user experience. Google emphasises that users rely on predictable navigation when browsing the web. When this expectation is broken, it not only disrupts the user journey but also erodes confidence in online content. Has Google been so lazy on this issue?

