Should Links Open In Same Tab Or New Tab in 2024?

Should Links Open In Same Tab Or New Tab?

This is the question that arose in my mind after receiving the following comment on the blog.

Here’s one thing that bothers me on blogs (including yours, sorry) – I cannot stand it when hyperlinks do not open a new window. For example, I clicked on one of the links in this post. That page had a link I wanted to check out and so I clicked on it. Before I knew it I had gone off the beaten path and accidentally closed the window thinking your post was in another window. Then I had a hard time finding you and this post again.My suggestion to bloggers is to have links open new windows so they can easily come back to your site and continue reading your posts.

Should Links Open In Same Tab Or New Tab
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Should Links Open In Same Tab Or New Tab

The above comment was made on Monday.

This made me think a lot. Should links open in the same tab or new tab/window?

I have thought about making a final decision but hey, can I make a decision myself only?

A large part of this blog is YOU! The reader.

So, why not make the decision?

My take on the issue.

Here are some reasons that make me think that the new tab approach is good:

It Retains Readers

Just like Curt got lost, many others can too. Opening links in the same tab can cause this problem. New tabs mean that people do not get lost when surfing.

It Reduces the Bounce Rate

When visitors do not go away, he never “bounces”! So, the bounce rate is reduced a lot this way.

Ok, I am thinking. I am thinking. I am still thinking.

No more points?

Well, that’s natural because I do not generally favor links opening in a new window.

Now, I am sure I can fill pages on this topic. But let’s keep it simple! Here are my thoughts:

Gives User Control

Since you are using the blog, you should have control over how you navigate it.

Right?

If links open in the same tab by default, this keeps users belonging to “open links in the same tab” as well as “open links in new tab” camps happy.

How?

The first camp automatically gets what it wants.

And the second camp can easily right-click and select “Open In New Tab” or Ctrl + click the link.

Reduces Clutter

It’s not that I am going to start a clutter management blog or business anytime soon but I hate clutter, especially with software.

Too many tabs make working difficult and I am sure many would have the same opinion.

Opening a new tab after a new tab for every new link the reader clicks might not be good in this sense.

There’s A Back Button

The back button is the most frequently used button in browsers.

If you have good content, the reader will come back. Just take John’s example.

He said he had trouble finding bloggersword but he did come back. (Looks like my posts are developing some kind of magnetic field!)

Final Decision Is Yours

As I said, readers are the most important. So, tell me:

  1. Should BloggersWord and other blogs open links in a new tab?
  2. Why?

Thanks for taking the time to read the post. Do not forget to share!

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Jenny is a passionate blogger and writes for Bloggersword.com. She has more than 6 years of experience in Blogging and Affiliate Marketing. You can connect with her on Linkedin.

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