Force New Tab When Link Is Tapped

When a new tab needs to open as a person taps a link, the target attribute of an a tag can be used. When target="_blank" is in an a tag, then tapping the link will open a new browser tab.

Example:

<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank">Tap here</a>

Instances where the target="_blank" attribute may be appropriate are, as examples:

A download page with several download links, so the download page remains available.
A one-time-use web page where a link might be tapped before the page function is complete.
Web sites with a site visitor demographic that is unlikely to know about right-click or tap-and-hold to open links in new tabs.

When the target="_blank" attribute is implemented, the site visitor is less likely to lose the page the link is on.

(This content first appeared in Possibilities newsletter.)

Will Bontrager

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