Opening a new window for selected links...

Does it bother you?

[TryAgain]

Of course not for every link. But there are cases where it (might) have it's uses.

I don't care what they say in the "good practices" manual. Does it bother you?

[bakedjake]

Not especially. In fact, on informational sites, I find myself regularly opening new tabs while I continue reading the page of information, and going to the new tab later.

Same goes for a commerce site. If they've got a link with "more info about this product...", and I want to buy it, I'll open the "more info" link in a new tab and read it while keeping the buy page open.

Just don't do it with a JavaScript popup that won't work if you click on a link and hit "open in new tab". Those really, really annoy me. :)

[davidpbrown]

I prefer to use [shift key + click] when I do want a new window.. and I often do.

So long as it's clear, when both types of link are present, I don't mind.

[jimbeetle]

Yep, regardless of the good practice manual it's becoming more accepted and, in some instances, even expected.

One concern I have: I open all external links in new windows and do not currently use an indicator telling my visitors that that's what will happen. No complaints after many years, but that doesn't mean much.

I'd like to include an indicator, whether as an icon or a title attribute, but don't want multiple "Link opens in a new window" blurbs diluting the thrust of the main text.

There's really no workaround I can come up with. I either leave it as is and hope visitors aren't ticked off, or just bite the bullet and include the indicators. (And yeah, laziness plays a bit of role here, hunting down all the external links on a 1,500 page site. But if it must be, it must be.)

Best bet?

[davidpbrown]

I used to open all external links in new windows but then rethought the whole idea of retaining visitors by making it hard for them to leave.

They'll come back if they want to..

If you do have good reason, then a little icon of two overlapping boxes ~windows alongside the link maybe.