Hyperlinks - New Window or Same?

[Bloggeries]

When you are linking to external sites do you make it in a new window / tab or just go straight to the new site /blog in current browser?

I used to religiously do new tab but now I'm finding if someone wants to visit elsewhere they can and if they want a new window / tab they can do that too.

I've just started getting sick of always having a new window open. Fortunately I'm usually on FAST machines so I have dozens of windows open. I was on a slower machine and let me tell you for the time to load the new tab / browser I just ended up hitting X.

I also think out of etiquettes it's better to give the viewer the option. Whats your practice and what are your thoughts?

[pelf81]

Rob: I used to set my links to open in a new window/tab but that was until I came across an article that warned bloggers against doing it. Apparently, links that open in new windows/tabs are "spammy", and readers don't like it.

I wasn't convinced, until I read another article which mentioned something like, if readers wanted a particular link to open in a new window/tab, he could easily do it by right-clicking on the link, or by clicking the scrolling button on the mouse.

Then I thought, since it's so easy to open links in new windows/tabs these days, why don't I let me readers decide?

So there..

[Logtar]

I leave it up to the user, they can always shift or right click if they want a new tab.

[Bloggeries]

I'm so accustomed to being in a new window I find myself clicking X all the time when I shouldn't. Will take some getting used to but ultimately I think letting your user decide is the best route to go for all parties concerned

On a forum however I think it should always open a new window. I don't think Sitepoint does though.

[PaulR]

Have them open in the same window, bad usability to have them open in a new window.

[midwest]

I have a couple of links that open in a new window ( but not too many ). The rest of the links open in the same browser window. I believe that, as others already mentioned, you should leave the hyperlinks open in the same browser window.

[solidghost]

Some Seo recommend using a new window as that will ensure that your viewers will not be leavingyour site.

[Cowboytf]

All my links open in the same window because, I myself, hate new windows. I figure if people like my site, they know where it is and chances are they will bookmark it for later.