Ask HN: Why can't web browsers block pop-ups?

3 points by tabob 5 years ago | 4 comments

tabob 5 years ago |

It's been 31 years and web browsers are still utter trash. The developers at Safari, Firefox, Chrome and every other browser should be ashamed for allowing Pop-up and pop-under windows to even exist. It's functionality which needs to go away. If I don't explicitly open a link in a new window, that link should never, ever, EVER open in a new window.

Why is this still acceptable behavior? It has zero benefit to any end user.

psnehanshu 5 years ago | |

It's hard to always tell when you should or shouldn't block a pop-up. Many browsers tried to solve this by blocking new windows being automatically opened if a click didn't happen just a little before it.

Necessary use cases of pop-up windows, one is oauth login (sign in with Google/Facebook/Twitter)

tabob 5 years ago | | |

At the absolute very least every single web browser should have the ability to ask:

* if you want to allow the pop-up * if you want to allow a site to open a new window/tab * if you want to allow a site to open a new pop-under window

This really shouldn't require special Greasemonkey scripts, block lists or commercial extensions. 99% of the time the user does not want that pop-up/pop-under/modal dialogue.

I'm starting to think that developers at almost all browsers are bribed by advertisers to allow these dark patterns.

ksaj 5 years ago |

Likewise, does anybody ever click Yes to browser notifications? That seems like it would be so intrusive.