Ads and New Browser Windows

target _blank on advertisements

[msgraph]

There are different levels of web surfers/consumers but many these days are aware of pop-ups and similar features.

When placing banners/text ads on sites, do you think that the target _blank option scares off a lot of users? Perhaps they see the new window as a barrage of incoming pop-ups and close it out before it loads all the way.

Or do you feel that, like pop-ups, users are used to seeing sites pop-up in new windows and accept them if they are willing.

Of course the simple answer to this depends on whether or not your care if visitors leave your site. But let's toss that topic out for now.

1. New windows can annoy users simply because it is another window on their desktop.

2. Not allowing an ad to open in a new window can annoy users because, after viewing the new site, they will have to trek backwards to the original site.

Which option annoys people the most?

Have you noticed any difference in conversions by setting one option or the other?

[rcjordan]

ms, I've used the new window some but I tend to stay away from it primarily because I believe the average user can easily get confused when multiple windows are open. If the webmaster has the habit of always naming the new window the same, there's a very real chance that the second link clicked will open the window behind the window that has focus. (The user thinks it's a dead link.)

One recent development has been the spread of pop-up blockers. I use panicware and have to disable it when booking travel or using shopping carts because these sites tend to use pop-ups for detailed information. I expect the same is happening on affiliate sites ...and you can't afford to have any impediment between your prospect and the cash register when he has his card in hand.

[vibgyor79]

I personally prefer ads to open up in a new window - I'm not saying this from webmaster but visitor's point of view. Since most of the sites don't use target_blank for ads, I generally use Shift+Click whenever I care to click on a banner/text ad.

I feel target_blank is fine because most visitors know the difference between a new complete window with address bar et al and a popup window. But you should let the visitors know that they are clicking on an advertisement.

[dingman]

As a user, I deffinitely prefer not to have the choice of where to open the window made for me. If I want it in a new tab or a new window, I'll middle-click the link. If I left-click and the page doesn't start loading, I may well click twice more before I notice that some bozo I never met thinks I want a new window. (I nearly always use a tabbed browser with new tabs set to open in the background.)

[conquer7]

IMO and general user's stand point, a pop-up is always annoying as you are confusing your visitor where to go. There are chances that user will close both the windows and consequently you will be far away from the goal of each window.

[chiyo]

dingman.

Ive been on the net for 8 years. But i still aint got a middle button, (I only upgraded to 2 buttons 2 years ago!) and dont have a clue how to open a different window while clicking on a link.

A lot depends on the sophistication of your readership/audience.

[dingman]

Chiyo - might be ctrl-click or shift-click or even right-click->open in new window. It depends on your browser, os, and how many buttons ya got :) (If you have a mouse wheel, you probably also have a middle button. Most wheel mice generate a middle button event if you click the wheel instead of rolling it.)

I wouldn't expect that very many people who don't know that they can open a site in a new window would know that it could be done to them. I expect my mother would just concolude that you'd made her "back" button stop working.