The quick answer is NO!
If you force links to open in new windows by using the target="_blank"
attribute:
- The user is no longer in control of their browser’s behaviour: users should always be in control of their online experience.
- Users expect to open links in the same window: that’s the way most of the web behaves. If you open a new browser window for them, they might not notice, and then they’ll be disoriented: they might not understand why they can’t back up to the previous page by clicking on the back button or the backspace key and become frustrated.
- Users generally don’t like to deal with dozens of opened windows or tabs and will quickly become disgusted with your website.
For complete details, read “Should links open in new windows?” on Smashing Magazine.
In addition, opening links in new windows could make your users’ browsers vulnerable to phishing attacks. For more details, see “target="_blank"
— the most underestimated vulnerability ever.”
Email if you have any questions.