Ask HN: Why isn't HN using target=“_blank” for links?

1 points by datasmurf 10 years ago | 6 comments

It just annoys me a lot, that i always have to use <Right click -> "Open in New Tab"> for a link. Why isn't "target="_blank" used? I'm just curious.

michielr 10 years ago |

It's about giving the user the option. If you use target blank it's impossible to stay in the same tab. Which can be a hassle on mobile or it could get blocked as an ad as well. How hard is CTRL + click or MMB?

datasmurf 10 years ago | |

If the link opens a target on a other website it should be opened in a new tab. If it's a link on the same site it shouldn't.

tired_man 10 years ago | | |

I believe there are a number of addons that will do that for you.

willstepp 10 years ago |

In certain cases I use target blank myself, but there is some thought in UX design that its often better to let the user decide how to open a link for themselves.

alphajson 10 years ago |

Asked myself this question more than once...