Why is it that sometimes a website will disable the "Back" button? Does this give the website some benefit that I'm not aware of?
by 
Aristocles
ANSWERS: 2
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Most likely, the website has not disabled the back button, but rather has opened a new window or a new tab. When a new window/tab is opened, you cannot use the back button because there is nothing to surf back to.
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If you mean "disable" the back button as in you cannot even press it, then it's probably a new window. If you mean "disable" as in when you press back the same window reloads, then it is an attempt to keep you on that page. It's the same reason many websites open external links (to other sites) in a new window. By leaving their website open in one of your windows they are maximizing their exposure to you and increasing the likelihood (or so they think) to earn money from you by showing you more advertising. In reality, this tactic can often lead to a decrease in confidence/trust of the website and decrease sales.
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