Outbrain

Google Cracks Down on Back Button Hijacking

Back button hijacking — a technique where site code inserts a page (often recommendations or an ad) into a user’s browser history so the browser “back” action lands on content the user did not intend — is drawing enforcement from Google. In an April 13 Google blog post, the company called the behavior a “malicious practice” and gave site owners notice that pages using the pattern risk demotion starting June 15. Google AdSense separately said on May 8 it will remove the back-button trigger for vignette (full‑screen) ads by June 15. The practice is offered by third‑party recommendation/ad platforms such as Taboola and Outbrain and is defended by some publishers as a revenue/engagement tactic amid declining referral traffic. Google warns sites using the technique could see lower search rankings or removal from search results; sites that fix the issue can request reconsideration.

Ad tech earnings show mixed results, CTV growth

Digiday’s May 14, 2026 briefing reviews recent Q1 earnings across a 12-company ad tech cohort. While most firms reported revenue increases and some raised guidance, the quarter was mixed: three companies recorded year‑over‑year revenue declines and several executives flagged AI-driven changes that could affect platform stickiness and margins. AppLovin posted strong Q1 results (nearly $2 billion), Teads and Criteo reported revenue declines (7% and 6%, respectively), and Viant and others highlighted Connected TV (CTV) as a major growth driver — with Viant reporting CTV ad spend now accounts for more than half of platform spend. The Trade Desk’s $750M Q2 revenue guide was viewed as soft and pressured its stock. The article notes varied AI initiatives (ChatGPT integrations, Taboola’s AI Answer engine, PubMatic’s AI deals) but few clear examples of material AI-driven revenue yet.

Teads Pursues DoubleClick-Style CTV Home Screen Play

State of Streaming analyzes Teads Holding Co.'s strategic push into connected TV (CTV) via home-screen placements and agency hiring, framing it as a DoubleClick-like play to build a new supply path. Teads, formed from the Outbrain–Teads merger and listed on Nasdaq as $TEAD in February 2025, crossed $100M in annualized CTV revenue in Q4 2025 (55% YoY) and claims access to more than 500 million addressable TV screens through OEM partnerships. Independent supply-path data shows Teads reached 14.8% of the premium programmatic market in Q1 2026, well below market leaders. The company set a 2026 target of $100M adjusted EBITDA, is pursuing $35–40M in annualized savings, and hired Jit Shergill as UK Head of Sales to normalize agency demand for its home-screen format. The article notes self-reported Attention Per Mille (APM) gains and urges rights holders to evaluate the format while negotiation leverage exists.