Question for Regular Readers

I have a question for my regular readers. Currently when you click on a link here at Free Money Finance, your browser will take you to that link's page (in other words, it will replace your current page with a new page.) I had a reader say that he would like it better if clicking on another link would open up a whole new tab/window.

Which would you prefer -- links that take you to new pages or links that open up new windows?

Update: Thanks for the responses. It appears to be a clear choice -- leave it the way that it is. The people who want is as is will be satisfied and the ones who want a new page/window now have an easy solution to make that happen (see the comments below for details.)

Comments

[John Jimenez]

I also like having the link open in a new tab, but I make it do that anyway.

If the user holds down the TAB button while clicking a link it will force it to open in a new tab or window (depending on the browser)

Users of Firefox can install tab mix plus and force any links to different sites than the one that is displayed into a new tab.

As a web Developer, my opinion is that opening the link to remote sites in a new window is the smarter thing to do as it keeps your page available (thus more likely to have ads clicked and makes it easier for users to comment)

[chrissy]

I prefer the link to open in a new window, especially when there are multiple links in one article.

[buhler]

I agree with the other posters, prefer that new window/tab be opened. Keeps your page open so I can continue browsing/reading. I can scan the new window if not interesting click the 'x' and its gone.

[SS]

New window!

[Pat Flynn]

From being an avid reader of "blogging blogs," it's interesting because they always say you shouldn't have any links open new tabs or open new windows, but, the commenters here would rather have a new one.

Personally, it doesn't matter to me.

[Patrick]

I'm strongly in favor of leaving links to open in the current window. With the current behavior, I have many choices if I want to open a link in another window/tab: middle-click, right-click > new tab, Command-click. If you change links to open in a new window/tab, I have no straightforward way of changing this to open in the current window.

Taking control of the browser away from the user (resizing the window, forcing links to open in new windows) is one of the cardinal sins of usability, and I vote against.

[Scott Moonen]

I much prefer that the link take you to the new page in-place.

I like to have control over whether a link opens up in a new window. If you force it to open up in a new window, I have no control. If, however, you have it open up in-place, I have a choice (I can make it appear in a new window if I hold down the Control key).

I think this is a fairly well-recognized web usability point.

[JK]

My vote is on new window... Oftentimes I will be on a website and be "distracted" by a link, then forget why I came to the original website in the first place. If the original is still open, and the new one in a new window, it helps to keep me focused on what I was intending to do in the first place!

[No Debt Plan]

I always right click -> open in a new tab anyways, so it doesn't matter to me. :)

[Lolita]

I'm in total agreement with Patrick! IE has a tab tool that allows the user to customize how their tabs work and they can hold TAB + Click to start a new tab from a link.

One other option, go to AOL! They drive me nuts because every single website you go to opens in a new window. Oh! And AOL service is free now as long as you're not using them to connect to the internet.

[conedude13]

New window/tab would be better i would think. I work in firefox, so i use the mouse wheel to click on all of my links which results in that page opening in a new tab.

I also agree with John, it might be beneficial if you make it so that you page stays open while the person looks at the link that just opened in a new tab/window. that way your readers will be on your pages longer and will most likely finish closing all the open tabs and come back to your open tab and will glance over it once more time before closing it and see if there is anything else interesting on your site.

but thats just what i do.

[rdub98]

New tab/window! I makes it so much easier to come back to the original article/post.

[Steph]

I personally prefer it to open in the same window, as I can just right click and open it in a different window if I want. If you always do it as opening a different window, then people don't have a choice anymore.

[Kimberly]

I think the link should open in the same window/tab. Browsers give users the option to open links in new pages if they want (I use Firefox and middle-click just about every link I choose). I don't know of a way to force it to go the other way around.

[Matt]

Keep it in the same tab. If you want the link in a new tab, just hold down Ctrl when you click.

I often (almost always) open links in a new tab, but it's annoying when enforced by default, because there's no way to override it as you click, telling it to stay in the same tab.

[Matt]

Please god no. If someone wants a page to open in a new tab/window it's not difficult at all to right click or middle click on a link. I do it all the time. What is annoying as hell is clicking on a normal link expecting it to open in the same window (as practically every other link on the Internet does) and have it unexpectedly open in another window/tab.

[Fred]

I would agree that if the user would prefer the link to open a new window it's already easy to do so.

[Tim]

I'd say leave it as is. When I want links to open in new windows I open them that way by clicking on the middle mouse button. I dont normally like extra windows and tabs popping up if I wasn't the one who intended for that to happen!

Tim

[Justin Yost]

I always prefer to open up new links in a new tab, rather than the original tab. I can finish reading the original article and then read the related articles or whatever else.

[Rob G]

Keep as is.

[J in FL]

heh, seems that this is quite a lively topic ;-)

Thanks anyway FMF!

[Bobby]

I like a new window to open. When I visit a site that doesn't, like this one, I simply copy and paste it in a new tab.

[Ken]

New window.

First commenter said it best.

"As a web Developer, my opinion is that opening the link to remote sites in a new window is the smarter thing to do as it keeps your page available (thus more likely to have ads clicked and makes it easier for users to comment)"

I agree with this, if the link is not navigating YOUR website, it should open a new tab/window.

[zOrville]

I always right click any link and choose "open in a new tab" just to force that action, so whatever you choose works fine for me!

[Miramaxa]

I vote for the new window

[John Jimenez]

Seeing as how people are a bit split about the issue, I can offer a quick suggestion:
Have 2 links for each link you offer. The text link which opens the link in the same window and a small icon link (or parenthesized text link example "(new window)" link) next to it that opens the link in a new window.

[Tom]

New tab/window. Prefer Tab, I don't know if that is more coding for you though!

[Debra]

New window please. So much more convenient.

[td]

I just open links in new tabs using the right mouse button while using firefox. I also use Snap Links Firefox add on when opening groups of links into new tabs, which is great for carnivals.