Google doesn't like hijacking. For whatever reason. Not even when it involves the online browsing experience. So, starting in June, websites that hijack their users will be penalized. More specifically, those that hijack the back button. Let's make some sense of all this. What does Google mean by hijacking the back button? By "back button hijacking," Google refers to that incredibly annoying mechanism we've all encountered while browsing, which prevents you from going back to the previous page (usually the Google search results page) by clicking your browser's back arrow. There are many ways to hijack it, but the most common are: - The back arrow doesn't seem to work or simply reloads the current page. - You're redirected somewhere else. Instead of going back, the site sends you to an ad page, a survey, or another section of the same site that you didn't request. -The site inserts multiple fake entries into your history, so you would have to click the back arrow many times in a row (and very quickly) to exit. Why does Google want to punish this type of practice? Google is, understandably, against this type of "hijacking" because it goes against a good user experience, something that is firmly established in all its guidelines. In its own words, "back button hijacking interferes with browser functionality, disrupts the expected user experience, and generates frustration. Users report feeling manipulated and, consequently, less willing to visit unknown sites." But why is it acting now and not before? Personally, I would say that this type of practice has existed for years and was even more common before than it is now. In response, Google simply explains that it has observed an increase in this type of behavior, which it considers an explicit violation of its policy against malicious practices. When will the penalty be applied and what can you do to avoid it? If you're one of those who use these kinds of practices, the first thing I'd like to say is that I'd like you to explain why you do it and what results you've gotten from it. You can tell us in the comments. The second thing is, basically, that you stop doing it. On the one hand, because it's one of the most annoying situations you can encounter while browsing, and on the other, because, as we mentioned, Google will start penalizing them from June 15, 2026. Specifically, you could face the dreaded manual actions or automatic penalties, seriously affecting your ranking in Google search results. In any case, there may be instances where the hijacking is… let's say… unintentional. Google itself explains that “some instances of back button manipulation may originate in the site's ad libraries or platform. We recommend that website owners thoroughly review their technical implementation and remove or disable any code, imports, or settings responsible for such manipulation to ensure a useful and transparent user experience.” You've been warned. If you don't want your traffic to plummet this summer, it's best to let your users leave when they want to. After all, if someone has to struggle with the back button to leave your website, you're doing something wrong.