Rick Henkin

There are a lot of arguments for both sides of this question. It would seem that it should be a matter of user preference. Of course, in one sense, it is just a matter of choice. However, from a design, accessibility and usability standpoint, their really is only one conclusion.

What are external and internal links?

• External links are hyperlinks that point to a page on a different website



• Internal links are hyperlinks that point to a page on the same website

What are the arguments for opening external links in new browser windows?

• One of the main reasons given for opening external links in new browser windows is that you don't lose visitors to your site. The fear is that if you let them go to another website, they might not return.



• Because your page always remains open, users can just click on your window to bring it to the front of their screen or close the windows that might be covering it. This way, your page never gets "lost."



• If their monitor is large enough, some users might want to compare two websites side by side. If the external link opens in the current window, an assumption is made that the user is finished with this original or "parent" page. Under this scenario, he's unable to compare the sites side by side.



• What if the user just wants to check out a quick reference? By opening in the current browser window, the assumption is again made that he's finished with the original page.



• If the user wants to go back to the original or "parent" page, all he has to do is close the open window or windows to uncover that page. What's the big deal? It's certainly not hard to do.

What are the arguments for opening external links in the current window?

• It's not your browser. Forcing a choice only creates ill will. If users want to read what you have to say, they can always get back to you. They can also open a new browser window themselves.



• By opening external links in new browser windows, you take control away from the user. They're no longer in charge of what they see in their browser. As the web owner, you're telling them that you're more interested in your needs (keeping them on your website), and less interested in their needs.



• By convention, people usually click on the back button to return to the previous page. When an external link opens in a new window, the back button is disabled, which can confuse both novice visitors and the visually impaired. They might not realize that a new window opened. Repeated attempts to use the disabled back button might make them conclude that your site isn't working.



• Some users might become annoyed when new windows open. Too many open windows might cause a crash. At the very least, it clutters the task bar.



• For those with motor disabilities, it might be more difficult to close the boxes in open windows than to just click on the back button.



• Since most browsers allow you to choose to open a link in a new window or to do so by right-clicking your mouse, those users that want that feature can still have it.



• If a user doesn't know how to close an open window, he's stuck on that page, since the back button is disabled. It's a mistake to assume that all users know as much as you do.



• A beginner might bury the new window under the parent window and re-click the link. Nothing happens because that buried window is already open.



• What if several windows are open? If the new window doesn't take up the entire screen, clicking om a window sticking out from underneath just puts that one in front. If he doesn't know how to close the window, he'll never get back to the original one.



• The biggest players on the internet such as Google, Yahoo, and Amazon all open their external links in the current window, unless stated otherwise. The most important blogs do the same. I think it's a safe assumption that they know what they're doing.

Are there any exceptions to opening an external link in the current window?

• Filling out forms where data might be lost



• Viewing terms of service, privacy or other policies



• Opening a PDF file or Word document



• Viewing a large image that takes time to download



• Viewing a printable version of the same page

Conclusion

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