I am not a big one of polls as being a part of a blogs natural sidebar set of items. Not really sure why but I have never really like them that much. However I also think that when used sparingly and for the right reasons – rather than just a silly filler for the sidebar area they can be helpful.
For this reason I have – as you can see by looking at the top of the first sidebar to the right – added one. While the question being asked may seem like a rather brain dead one I am very interested in hearing from my readers as to how they feel about the subject. By default I have always set up any links in my posts to open up in a new browser window because this was always explained to me as a way to make the site sticky in that you want the reader to stay on the site as long as possible. The idea being that while they can read whatever the link is pointing to they are still basically still on your site.
However in the past little while I have seen a few people whose opinion I respect say that this is a lousy way to link to outside sites. Needless to say I am a little lost here as to what really is the right way to handle this. So I figured I would ask you my readers what you think.
The question is this: Do you prefer links to open in new browser window or the same browser window?”
I will leave the poll up until July 15th which will give everyone a month to voice their opinion and I will go along with the winning vote – unless of course the winner is the I don’t care opinion in which case I will stick with that I am doing.
So please let me know so I can help make this a blog you will like coming back to. It may only be a small thing but sometimes it is those small things that can make the difference between readers who return all the time and those that don’t.
(Note: if you are reading this post via your RSS feed you will need to visit the site in order to vote.)
I'd say in the same window. I want to surf. If I need to go back to your article, I'll hit back.
As for links in sidebars, I believe in a target=”_blank” there.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
First to vote!
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
I MAY have to strip my cookies to get what I want.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I prefer links to open in a new window, because I have FF open any new windows in a new tab… That way I can queue up any interesting stuff to go check out when I am through doing what I am doing (reading the article, whatever). I HATE it when the link replaces the content I'm currently looking at because then I have to hit the back button and reload that page… which on some sites that have 1001 sidebar widgets takes a while.
To be honest though, I have trained myself to right click on all links and “Open in new tab” so it really doesn' t make that much of a difference what the author wanted. I am gonna get my tab whether they are purposely sticky or not.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I like links that open in the same window. I like to have control over my browsing, and I'll open in a new tab if I want it to be separated.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I want everything to open in a new window/tab because I don't want to lose what I'm reading. My take is that you included the link at a specific point in your post to help me understand what you're writing about.
I don't want to open a link and then get lost cuz you linked me to something interesting.
I want to be able to hit C-w a few times and end up back at your article. I don't want to have to navigate my browser history.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I like the threaded ideal of tabbed browsing.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Ditto.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
My personal preference is for all external links to open in a new window or tab. I subscribe to this practice.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I, generally, like for links to stay in the same window. This gives me the option of cmd-clicking them into a new tab or whatever if that's the behaviour I want. If they always open in a new window it removes my ability to control where they go. However, if it is a site I primarily use on my iPhone, I sometimes like to specify new window.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Ditto.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
My personal preference is for all external links to open in a new window or tab. I subscribe to this practice.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I strongly agree with Daniel. I believe the default should be to open in the same window. If I want to stay on the same page, I can choose to open the link in a new tab. It's the only way that the user has complete control.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Same window. CHeck out any major site – cnet, new york times, google, all results link to same window. My philosophy is – that's the default behavior of a link – a href is same window. To make it different means adding something which means it's altering the default behavior.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
As you know, I have a very similar question on my blog poll rotation. Along with a bunch of stupid questions
. My answer is more complex than simply “new window” or “same window”. These are my preferences:
In a browser that doesn't support tabs, I want my links to open in the same window. I get annoyed if new windows open when I click a link.
In a browser that supports tabs, and allows links with targets to open in a new tab, I prefer this behavior. I get annoyed if a link moves me off of the page I am currently on.
In other words, I want all links to open a new tab, but never in a new window.
However, I do realize that browsers have a modifier to force opening a link in a new window or tab, but no modifier to force the reverse. So, no matter what the preference, to err on the side of caution would be to not add a target to any href. Note that I don't do this on my blog. I'm thinking about it though.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Same window. More important to my browsing experience is “cool iris previews”
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
New tab for me. I don't like having so many windows crowding my taskbar. Though it is easier for me to remember the keyboard shortcut to switch windows rather than switch tabs.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I strongly agree with Daniel as well. I wonder if that would make for an interesting way to design a poll – along the lines of “agree”, “strongly agree”, etc. It could be that the (current) minority who prefer control feel somewhat passionate about it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Same window, for a few reasons: 1) you don't break the back button. 2) You let me control how I want to view your content, and 3) what Jakob Nielsen says about it (url: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9605.html):
“Opening up new browser windows is like a vacuum cleaner sales person who starts a visit by emptying an ash tray on the customer's carpet. Don't pollute my screen with any more windows, thanks (particularly since current operating systems have miserable window management).
“Designers open new browser windows on the theory that it keeps users on their site. But even disregarding the user-hostile message implied in taking over the user's machine, the strategy is self-defeating since it disables the Back button which is the normal way users return to previous sites. Users often don't notice that a new window has opened, especially if they are using a small monitor where the windows are maximized to fill up the screen. So a user who tries to return to the origin will be confused by a grayed out Back button.
“Links that don't behave as expected undermine users' understanding of their own system. A link should be a simple hypertext reference that replaces the current page with new content. Users hate unwarranted pop-up windows. When they want the destination to appear in a new page, they can use their browser's “open in new window” command — assuming, of course, that the link is not a piece of code that interferes with the browser’s standard behavior.”
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Same window. More important to my browsing experience is “cool iris previews”
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I don't care really, because I always middle-click links, to open them in a new tab. I guess, if I had to choose I would pick the same window, so like Mark Trapp says, it doesn't break the back button. Anyway, if a site is worth staying on, I will open any links in a new tab, so it probably won't make a difference either way.
As a writer in the past I have always had my outgoing links open in new windows, but I wonder if that is kind of jerkish of me.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I strongly agree with Daniel as well. I wonder if that would make for an interesting way to design a poll – along the lines of “agree”, “strongly agree”, etc. It could be that the (current) minority who prefer control feel somewhat passionate about it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
large parts of the world have a slow connection
i want to click, but keep reading, so always go for open in another tab
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Same window. Nothing worse than a new window opening, and if I want a new window (or a new tab which I regularly do) I can right click and do it on a case by case basis
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
large parts of the world have a slow connection
i want to click, but keep reading, so always go for open in another tab
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Doesn't matter to me, really.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Same window. Nothing worse than a new window opening, and if I want a new window (or a new tab which I regularly do) I can right click and do it on a case by case basis
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The same window I guess because I select a new tab with middle click if I want one (which I often do). Though thinking aloud, in FriendBinder, I make external links go to new tab/window and internal links stay in the same window – so I would be interested to see if I should change that.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Same window. If I want links to open in a new tab/window I want it to be a conscious decision by me. All points raised by Mark Trapp are valid, too.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The same window I guess because I select a new tab with middle click if I want one (which I often do). Though thinking aloud, in FriendBinder, I make external links go to new tab/window and internal links stay in the same window – so I would be interested to see if I should change that.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Same window. If I want links to open in a new tab/window I want it to be a conscious decision by me. All points raised by Mark Trapp are valid, too.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I have my browser configured to open all pop-ups in a new tab.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I have my browser configured to open all pop-ups in a new tab.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
In a new tab. That way I can continue to work in the existing window while the new tab (window) continues to load and when I am done with the existing window I can move to the new tab and work with it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
In a new tab. That way I can continue to work in the existing window while the new tab (window) continues to load and when I am done with the existing window I can move to the new tab and work with it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
prefer when it opens in the same tab, as I can always open any link in background by pressing middle mouse button or pressing ctrl+shift. a new window is a sucker imo.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
prefer when it opens in the same tab, as I can always open any link in background by pressing middle mouse button or pressing ctrl+shift. a new window is a sucker imo.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I like links to open in a new tab, so I can continue reading (or whatever I'm doing) the rest of the page before I move onto whatever was linked.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Mark, I got a 404 on the link.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
acedanger, looks like disqus handled the URL poorly, should be: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9605.html
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Mark, I got a 404 on the link.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
acedanger, looks like disqus handled the URL poorly, should be: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9605.html
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Steven, I'm sure this helped you in your decision! As for me, I'm a new tab/new window person. Since there are passionate views on both sides of this issue, I guess the safest thing is to open in the same window, and follow Duncan's advice re manually opening things in a new window/tab on a case by case basis.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Steven, I'm sure this helped you in your decision! As for me, I'm a new tab/new window person. Since there are passionate views on both sides of this issue, I guess the safest thing is to open in the same window, and follow Duncan's advice re manually opening things in a new window/tab on a case by case basis.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0