Welcome to the week’s Pulse: updates affect what Google considers spam, what happens when you report it, and what agentic search looks like in practice. Here’s what matters for you and your work.

Google is expanding its spam enforcement policies to crack down on a deceptive web practice known as back button hijacking. The update focuses on websites that interfere with a user’s attempt to ...

On June 15, Google will implement a new spam policy that will allow it to punish sites that interfere with your browser's back button. So-called “back button hijacking" is any behavior that interferes ...

Google will penalize sites that hijack the back button starting June 15, 2026, citing navigation abuses and user disruption. The enforcement targets back button hijacking, exit-intent overlays, ...

If you've ever tried to click the "back" button on your browser only to find yourself trapped in a loop or redirected to a sketchy spam page, relief is finally on the way. Google has announced that it ...

Jake Peterson is Lifehacker’s Tech Editor, and has been covering tech news and how-tos for nearly a decade. His team covers all things technology, including AI, smartphones, computers, game consoles, ...

Google says it is expanding its policies to crack down on websites which trap users with "back button hijacking". Back button hijacking is when a website interferes with a browser so the back button ...

The back button on your browser is supposed to be an exit ramp, but some sites are abusing a tactic to trap users on their domains and manipulate traffic, according to Google. The tactic is called ...

Snapchat’s parent company plans to lay off 16% of its employees, around 1,000 people, citing “rapid advancements in artificial intelligence”, the social media company told staff on Wednesday in an ...

Tyler is a writer for CNET covering laptops and video games. He's previously covered mobile devices, home energy products and broadband. He came to CNET straight out of college, where he graduated ...

An update to Google’s spam policies includes a new “malicious practice” that could get websites demoted: “Back button hijacking,” which is when a website stops users from leaving with their browser’s ...

Websites that act like a super-chatty colleague who just won't shut up and let you go when a conversation should be over are among the most annoying things on the internet. Google is now doing ...