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Links in a New Window or Not?

by sunray
17 replies
I have always thought that it is a good idea to present links in a format that opens the destination in a new window (_blank), this way keeping my own page open.

Now I came accross an article that argued that this not only annoys the user, but also greys out the back button (the new window starts with no history), and some less experienced users may be lost. They would like to return, but do not know how.

What do you think? Do you use target="_blank" or not?
#links #window
  • Profile picture of the author redexclub
    using the same window is more professional and its always good

    DO NOT USE NEW WINDOW to make your site user-friendly!!
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by redexclub View Post

      using the same window is more professional and its always good
      DO NOT USE NEW WINDOW
      I'm just astonished that anyone here can imagine that it's a sensible or reasonable perspective that the same window is "always good" even to the point of advising people "DO NOT USE NEW WINDOW".

      Well, it goes to show. I'm still not quite sure what it goes to show, but anyway it goes to show ...

      I shudder to think how much traffic I'd lose, that way.
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      • Profile picture of the author VeitSchenk
        And there's your answer:

        do a split-test and you'll know what to do.

        Personally, I start the test with this assumption:

        if I want people to take a particular action and not be distracted by stuff opening and going all over the place, then I stay in the same window.

        If on the other hand I want them to definitely come back to my content, then I open the new content in a new window.

        However, whether it really works you can only find out by testing.

        Veit
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post


        I shudder to think how much traffic I'd lose, that way.
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      • Profile picture of the author Midas3 Consulting
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        I'm just astonished that anyone here can imagine that it's a sensible or reasonable perspective that the same window is "always good" even to the point of advising people "DO NOT USE NEW WINDOW".

        Well, it goes to show. I'm still not quite sure what it goes to show, but anyway it goes to show ...

        I shudder to think how much traffic I'd lose, that way.
        Been away from this forum for a long while, seeing posts stipulating in CAPS no less , something entirely situational as wrong reminds me how much blind leading the blind goes on here.

        Use a new window where applicable.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tim3
      Originally Posted by redexclub View Post

      using the same window is more professional and its always good

      DO NOT USE NEW WINDOW to make your site user-friendly!!

      One doesn't like to be rude chap, but I think you pulled that comment out of your posterior.

      A new window will likely help your page bounce rate for a start, it may also help the user quite a lot.

      There may be a few instances where the same window might be useful but I wouldn't make it the default without testing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dmarcotte
    I have always used open in a new window because it annoys me when I visit a site, click on a link and then have to hit the back button because the link isn't helpful. I don't know if there are any studies or statistics to prove one way or the other is better. It is probably just personal preference.
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    • Profile picture of the author seriousjake
      Originally Posted by Dmarcotte View Post

      I have always used open in a new window because it annoys me when I visit a site, click on a link and then have to hit the back button because the link isn't helpful. I don't know if there are any studies or statistics to prove one way or the other is better. It is probably just personal preference.
      Same here. I get annoyed and go "Tch.." if links open in the same window.
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesrich1
    I personally prefer when the link opens up in another window. I like even better when it says (link opens up in another window).
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    • Profile picture of the author 123andyt
      I agree...writing as a "site visitor" it has to be a new window for me, and as a site owner the same..I like to be able to get back to where I came from easily...
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  • Profile picture of the author JackieGold
    My general rule has always been: open in the same window/tab if it is another page on my site, and open in a new window/tab if it is a page from another site.
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  • Profile picture of the author cooler1
    I recommend opening links in a new window if it's to an informational site for example, but if it's an affiliate link then open the link in the same window.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joey Starkey
    Just my two cents. But I prefer for a link to open in a new window as well. Just makes more sense to me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
    The way I do it is like this:

    If it's an internal link -> same window, obviously.

    If it's an external link -> new window.

    I haven't tested it, but it looks... common sense. (But then again, not all common sense things work out to be the best...)
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    • Profile picture of the author mywebwork
      Originally Posted by redexclub View Post

      using the same window is more professional and its always good

      DO NOT USE NEW WINDOW to make your site user-friendly!!
      That's pure crazy talk! How is using the same window or tab "more professional"? You'll note that all the links in the Warrior Forum open in new windows - are you saying the forum is not "professional"?

      There are many legitimate reasons to open a new window.

      Originally Posted by JackieGold View Post

      My general rule has always been: open in the same window/tab if it is another page on my site, and open in a new window/tab if it is a page from another site.
      Originally Posted by Lucian Lada View Post

      The way I do it is like this:

      If it's an internal link -> same window, obviously.

      If it's an external link -> new window.
      I feel the same way, only open a new window for an external site.

      Bill
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  • Profile picture of the author DonnyBoy
    You work hard for your traffic so you deserve to optimize it! If you're sharing link that takes users to a different site... use _blank referrer so users have your site up.

    This let's Google know that people stay on your site for a good amount of time, thus increasing your relevance and rankings.




    Originally Posted by sunray View Post

    I have always thought that it is a good idea to present links in a format that opens the destination in a new window (_blank), this way keeping my own page open.

    Now I came accross an article that argued that this not only annoys the user, but also greys out the back button (the new window starts with no history), and some less experienced users may be lost. They would like to return, but do not know how.

    What do you think? Do you use target="_blank" or not?
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  • Profile picture of the author GrowMyForumCommunity
    What I usually do is I redirect external links to a new window, and have links that redirects to pages inside my website to the same window. I believe this is the standard pattern. There are some exceptions as well. Like, forum, chat and download pages can be sent to either the same window or a new window.
    In my personal opinion (and experiences, I guess), I often get irked when a website does it wrong/reversed. Like, when a website redirects an internal page to a new window, I lose some interest in viewing the site.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    A link in a different tab (or window) is best. They can easily exit out the new window and get back to reading what was on your page.

    The other way... they have to click on the "back" button to get back to your site. Some non-technical people dont even know how to do this!
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