WordPress And External Link Behavior

External links (to other sites) can open in the same browser tab or a new tab. The convention affects user experience and site engagement.

The same-tab default

The default browser behavior: links open in the same tab. The user navigates to the external site; the back button returns to the original.

The default respects user control. Users who want a new tab can right-click and choose to.

The new-tab option

target="_blank" attribute makes links open in new tabs. The user stays on your site; the external content opens separately.

The benefit: visitors don't lose your site when following external links.

The cost: the choice is forced; some users prefer same-tab. Mobile users particularly may not want new tabs accumulating.

The security consideration

target="_blank" without rel="noopener" allows the new tab to access the parent window via window.opener. Phishing risk.

Always include rel="noopener" with target="_blank". Modern browsers handle this by default but the explicit attribute is best practice.

The convention by context

For source links in articles: same tab is appropriate. Users follow the source naturally.

For citations and references: same tab.

For shop links and external transactions: new tab can be appropriate. Users return to evaluate other options.

For documentation links from product pages: depends on context.

The honest framing

External link behavior is a small UX choice. Same-tab respects user control; new-tab preserves site presence.

For most content sites, same-tab is the right default. For specific contexts where users benefit from preserved tab, new-tab fits.