Why Opening links in new tab in HTML? - Purpose & Use Cases

The Big Idea

What if your visitors never had to lose their place on your site when clicking links?

The Scenario

Imagine you have a webpage with many links. You want users to open some links without leaving your page, so they can easily come back.

The Problem

If you just add links normally, clicking them replaces your page. Users lose their place and have to hit back, which can be frustrating and slow.

The Solution

Using a simple attribute in your link tag, you can tell the browser to open the link in a new tab automatically. This keeps your page open and improves user experience.

Before vs After

✗ Before

<a href="https://example.com">Visit Example</a>

✓ After

<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Visit Example</a>

What It Enables

This lets users explore other pages without losing your site, making navigation smoother and more user-friendly.

Real Life Example

On a blog, you link to sources or references. Opening them in new tabs lets readers check details without losing their spot in your article.

Key Takeaways

Opening links in new tabs keeps your page open for users.

It prevents frustration from losing place when clicking links.

Adding target="_blank" and rel="noopener noreferrer" is a simple, safe way to do this.

Practice

1. Which attribute in an HTML <a> tag makes the link open in a new browser tab?

easy

A. open="new"

B. href="_blank"

C. rel="new_tab"

D. target="_blank"

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of the target attribute

   The target attribute in an <a> tag controls where the linked document opens.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct value for opening in a new tab

   Using target="_blank" tells the browser to open the link in a new tab or window.

3. Final Answer:

   <a href="url" target="_blank"> -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Open link in new tab = target="_blank" [OK]

Hint: Use target="_blank" to open links in new tabs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using href="_blank" instead of target
• Using rel attribute to open new tab
• Using open="new" which is invalid

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to open a link in a new tab with security best practices?

easy

A. <a href="https://example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Link</a>

B. <a href="https://example.com" target="_blank">Link</a>

C. <a href="https://example.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Link</a>

D. <a href="https://example.com" target="new" rel="noopener">Link</a>

Solution

1. Step 1: Use target="_blank" to open link in new tab

   This attribute opens the link in a new tab or window.

2. Step 2: Add rel="noopener noreferrer" for security

   This prevents the new page from accessing the original page via JavaScript, protecting against security risks.

3. Final Answer:

   <a href="https://example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Link</a> -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   New tab + security = target="_blank" + rel="noopener noreferrer" [OK]

Hint: Always add rel="noopener noreferrer" with target="_blank" [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting rel attribute causing security risk
• Using target="new" instead of _blank
• Using rel without target="_blank"

3. What will happen when the following HTML code is clicked?

<a href="https://openai.com" target="_blank">Visit OpenAI</a>

medium

A. The link opens in a new tab.

B. The link opens in the same tab.

C. The link does not open anywhere.

D. The link opens in a new window but not a tab.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the target attribute value

   The attribute target="_blank" instructs the browser to open the link in a new tab or window.

2. Step 2: Understand browser behavior

   Most modern browsers open links with target="_blank" in a new tab by default.

3. Final Answer:

   The link opens in a new tab. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   target="_blank" means new tab [OK]

Hint: target="_blank" opens link in new tab by default [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it opens in the same tab
• Confusing new window with new tab
• Assuming no action happens without rel attribute

4. Identify the error in this HTML snippet if the goal is to open the link in a new tab securely:

<a href="https://example.com" target="blank">Example</a>

medium

A. href attribute is missing protocol.

B. Missing rel="noopener noreferrer" attribute.

C. Incorrect target value; should be "_blank" with underscore.

D. The <a> tag is not closed properly.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the target attribute value

   The value is "blank" but it must be "_blank" with an underscore to open in a new tab.

2. Step 2: Confirm other attributes

   While adding rel="noopener noreferrer" is recommended for security, the main error preventing new tab opening is the wrong target value.

3. Final Answer:

   Incorrect target value; should be "_blank" with underscore. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   target must be "_blank" with underscore [OK]

Hint: target="_blank" needs underscore, not just "blank" [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using target="blank" without underscore
• Forgetting rel attribute for security
• Assuming missing protocol breaks new tab

5. You want to create a navigation menu where all external links open in new tabs securely, but internal links open in the same tab. Which HTML snippet correctly applies this?

hard

A. <a href="/about" target="_blank">About</a> <a href="https://external.com" target="_blank">External</a>

B. <a href="/about">About</a> <a href="https://external.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">External</a>

C. <a href="/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">About</a> <a href="https://external.com">External</a>

D. <a href="/about" rel="noopener noreferrer">About</a> <a href="https://external.com" target="blank" rel="noopener">External</a>

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify internal vs external link behavior

   Internal links (like "/about") should open in the same tab, so no target attribute is needed.

2. Step 2: Apply new tab and security attributes to external links

   External links should use target="_blank" and rel="noopener noreferrer" for security and to open in new tabs.

3. Final Answer:

   <a href="/about">About</a> <a href="https://external.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">External</a> -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Internal same tab, external new tab + security [OK]

Hint: Use target and rel only on external links [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding target="_blank" to internal links unnecessarily
• Using target="blank" without underscore
• Omitting rel attribute on external links