I made a change a few weeks ago that reader Amanda was the first to point out: I changed external links I post in blog entries from links that opened in a new window to links that opened in the same window. She was the first to notice (or at least mention it). I personally preferred opening them in a new window as I use Firefox and had it set for external links (with target=”_blank” in the link code) to open in new tabs that I could browse later. I switched it recently because more and more blogs I saw seemed to post all links to open in the same window.
Lots of folks have discussed this same question, so I now’s the time for all you lurkers to come out of the woodwork: Which do you prefer? Links opening in new window or links I post opening in the same browser window? Comment below.
(Oh, and BTW: Amanda shared Knol, which is now public, and thought it was hilarious the length of an article on making pancakes is stupidly long.)
Comments
I use firefox, and middle click all links anyway, but personally I would say keep it with same window links. I remember reading Jakob Nielson (usability/website usablity guru) saying that users expect to navigate within the current window, based on expectations of linearity, or they can open links in a new window if they want to.
He suggests that links opening in new windows can be disorienting, because most people surf from page to page.
Anyway, just my 2 cents, about time I applied some university knowledge anyway!
I think that I have links open in the same window on my blog, but there are times when I set the link to open in a new window. For me it’s usually about what I’m doing with the link.
Most of the time when I’m reading, I right click and open in a new tab so a longer article with links doesn’t shove me off site. Some of the arguments against the “new window” in your links seem to assume that everyone is using a browser without tabs and most seem to be against it, but I say there is a place for opening new windows or tabs. Whether you go to same window or not probably won’t change my browsing habits.
new window new window new window new window
Thanks for the link. My opinion hasn’t changed much since I wrote that article. I still like to give the user as much control as possible.
There are some situations where a new window is a good option (The Smashing article covers those very well I think!), but for regular links in a post, forcing new windows on your readers is just a nuisance.
I’m with Live. New window.
I prefer the new window approach too, but I usually do it manually, so it doesn’t matter too much to me. I also change depending on what the link is for.
I don’t visit everyday so when i have several articles I want to check out, I much rather have them in another window or tab (I often do that manually but still) I can close when I’m done to go back to the website I was visiting. “Previous” buttons are annoying.
I’m also a firefox user. However, the only computer I have access to is my laptop and the only time I use a mouse is when I’m doing CAD work. I tend to find it quite annoying when I have to open multiple links while browsing as there is no middle button on touchpads, so I have to go with the new window crowd.
I have to admit though that I am in the minority (people who don’t use a mouse often, i mean). It seems stupid not to change to keep the minority happy rather than the majority. I have to warn about mixing the links around though – it could make things more frustrating for people rather than help. If I was going to change the links, I’d make sure that either they all make a new window or all of them don’t.
I find that i prefer the link to open in a new window as i use firefox also and it’s nice to move to a new tab to look at the the link. I find it really annoying when i click on a link in a website and it loads over the page i found it on and i have to click back to go to the originating site. petty i’m sure but when you are going through a pile of links (your link dump comes to mind) i hate clicking back and forth
New window/tab! I like to read on a new tab and close it when finished.