Pogosticking
Pogosticking happens when users click a search result, quickly return to search results, then click another result, like jumping from one page to another without finding what they need. This back-and-forth behavior signals to search engines that the first result didn't work. Search engines track this pattern as a negative ranking signal.
This user behavior differs from normal Bounce Rate because it involves multiple clicks rather than single-page exits. Quick returns with no page interaction or Dwell Time creates stronger negative User Signals than simple bounces, while misleading titles or content that doesn't match User Intent increases pogosticking rates.
Search engines use pogosticking data to adjust rankings and identify pages that fail to match user intent. Reducing pogosticking requires improving content relevance, page speed, and user experience to ensure visitors find what they're looking for on first click.