Definition:

A target blank link is an HTML hyperlink whose <a> element includes the target="_blank" attribute. This value asks the browser to open the destination in a new browsing context, commonly a tab, although browser settings may result in a window instead.

target="_blank" does not turn a hyperlink into an external link or change its destination. The attribute controls where the URL opens; other attributes, such as rel, describe the relationship with the destination or apply additional measures.

Índice de contenidos

1 How a target blank link works
2 Target blank link security
3 Target blank link accessibility
4 Target blank link measurement
5 SEO scope of a target blank link

How a target blank link works

A hyperlink uses href to specify its destination URL. The target attribute determines the context in which it should load:

_self: Opens the destination in the current context and is the default behaviour.
_blank: Requests a new context, usually a separate tab.
Custom name: Allows several links to address the same browsing context identified by that name.

A basic example is <a href="https://example.com" target="_blank">Resource</a>. The browser keeps the original page open while the user moves to the new context to view the destination.

The final behaviour depends on the browser and user preferences. The specification does not guarantee that the destination will always appear in a tab rather than a window.

Target blank link security

Historically, a page opened through _blank could access its source page through window.opener. A malicious destination could attempt to modify it, a technique related to reverse tabnabbing.

The relevant rel values perform different functions:

noopener: Prevents the new context from accessing the source page’s window.opener object.
Implicit behaviour: Modern browsers give links with target="_blank" isolation equivalent to rel="noopener".
noreferrer: Also prevents the HTTP Referer header from being sent and implies noopener behaviour.

MDN’s <a> element reference documents the current implicit noopener behaviour. Writing rel="noopener" explicitly may still provide clarity and compatibility, but noreferrer should not be added automatically when referral information needs to be retained.

Target blank link accessibility

Opening a tab unexpectedly may disorient someone who expects to remain in the same context. It also changes the usual Back button behaviour and may be particularly confusing with screen readers or keyboard navigation.

To maintain predictable behaviour:

Keep the same context by default: Most links should open in the current tab and allow the user to choose another.
Announce the change: When a new tab is forced, the link text or an accessible indication should communicate it.
Avoid repeated openings: A sequence of _blank links may create numerous tabs and make orientation more difficult.

Keeping the original page open may be useful for particular tools, forms or supplementary resources. The decision needs to reflect the navigation flow rather than a rule that automatically opens every external link in a new tab.

Target blank link measurement

The attribute does not prevent click measurement, but the context change and rel values may affect the available data:

Click events: The interaction can be recorded before the browser opens the new context.
Referral information: target="_blank" does not remove the Referer by itself; rel="noreferrer" can do so.
Session interpretation: Keeping the original page open may affect metrics such as recorded time and does not necessarily demonstrate greater interest.

Campaign parameters included in the URL continue to work when the destination receives them. The choice of _blank needs to remain separate from analytics configuration and referral policy.

SEO scope of a target blank link

target="_blank" is not a direct ranking factor and does not by itself increase or reduce the authority passed through a link. Search engines can discover the destination through href regardless of the browsing context.

Several decisions need to be distinguished:

Crawling: An HTML link with a valid href remains crawlable when it includes _blank.
Linked text: The anchor text continues to describe the destination.
Link qualification: Values such as nofollow, sponsored and ugc belong to rel and are neither substitutes for nor consequences of _blank.

A nofollow link expresses a different relationship. Opening a new tab is a navigation decision and should not be used to classify a link for search engines.