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make links posted by users open in a new window

When I follow a link in a question on any question/answer on S[OUF] it doesn't open in a new tab. I think it should. I'm not a big fan of having to use the back button and wait for a page to load all over again.

Why don't all links open in a new tab anyway?

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    Because generally when people click on links, they don't want to open a new page, they want to move to a new location.
    – Tyler Carter
    Commented Jan 14, 2010 at 23:01
  • What about links that are on the same site vs. an outside site?
    – Jon Seigel
    Commented Jan 14, 2010 at 23:02
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    Learn how to use a browser. I suggest SuperUser for your question.
    – Ladybug Killer
    Commented Jan 14, 2010 at 23:05
  • similar question: Make links posted by users open in a new window
    – Jason
    Commented Jan 15, 2010 at 0:33
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    Ask a 3 button mouse for your birthday ;-)
    – fretje
    Commented Jan 15, 2010 at 10:38
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    In the very least this should be considered as a user option somewhere, methinks. I'd like it. Clearly some other people want this functionality too, and it is seen on many other sites. I think these days (as the internet and browsers have evolved with tabs etc) that an external link usually opens a new tab.
    – noelicus
    Commented Nov 30, 2011 at 12:10
  • This feature makes way too much sense to be popular here. For those that want it and use chrome, install the tampermonkey extension and this script: pastebin.com/0rAKbHZu
    – Jonah
    Commented Apr 23, 2013 at 12:44
  • I wrote my own script to open links in new tab and have putted it on stackapps. you could get it here
    – almaceleste
    Commented Mar 7, 2018 at 18:52

5 Answers 5

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Have all links open in a new tab?

No!

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  • Came here to try to figure out the argument against having all [external] links open in new tab. I was "taught" years ago that it was a "best practice". I have since read many arguments against it, primarily, "let the user decide". After reading the answer posted by @timothy-carter it makes more sense and I'm ready to make the shift. A simple "No" doesn't contribute to the discussion so I down-voted it and was then informed by a pop-up that I ought to add a comment as to why. So, here I am. Anyway, the question was closed 10 years ago so I'm surprised I even could down vote it.
    – harperville
    Commented Apr 2, 2020 at 16:33
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While I typically open question in a new tab, I believe making this the default behavior would be unconventional, and remove the user's option to open things as they desire. Additionally, modern browsers/operating systems typically provide you with many mechanisms to achieve this goal. Personally, I'm a fan of the center/wheel click to open things in a new tab.

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You could right-click and use the context menu to open the link in a new tab.

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    Or middle-click. I think that works in most browsers (but not on most laptops).
    – mmyers
    Commented Jan 14, 2010 at 23:02
  • @mmyers, on my laptop if I click both buttons at the same time it behaves the same as a middle click.
    – Timothy Carter
    Commented Jan 14, 2010 at 23:07
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    I'm a ctrl+click kinda guy, but each to their own.
    – Marc Gravell
    Commented Jan 14, 2010 at 23:10
  • Really? I don't think I've tried clicking both at once. I operate the touchpad with my forefinger while resting my thumb on the button, so clicking both at once is somewhat awkward.
    – mmyers
    Commented Jan 14, 2010 at 23:11
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Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo... If you do this, it means that people who just want to browse around the site in one window can't do it.

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Even when you forget to use some modifier key or middle-click to open a link in a new tab or window: most browsers allow you to click the back button using the same modifier key. That will then open the previous page in a new tab or window.

(Like in Safari and Firefox on OS X: Command-click a link to open that link in a new tab, or Command-click the Back button to open the previous page in a new tab. This also works for pages further down in the history, like the list shown in Safari when keeping the back button pressed for a second. In Safari and Firefox the new tab will not have any history though; one cannot go back any further from that new tab.)

(Hence: no, please do not open all links in a new tab...)

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