You may not know the name for it, but you’ve probably experienced it: you click on a link to a webpage, hit the “back” button on your browser, but end up on a page you never intentionally visited.
That’s called “back button hijacking,” and Google is cracking down on the practice. Execs warned website owners that they will be penalized starting June 15 if they keep doing it.
Opinions on the tactic remain sharply divided: critics view it as a manipulative tactic that degrades the user experience, while some publishers argue it has become a necessary defensive measure against shrinking referral traffic, tougher monetization conditions and growing pressure on audience acquisition.
Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV.