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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchIn the WordPress block editor, select the linked text, image, button, or other linked block, open its link settings, expand Advanced, and enable Open in new tab. Leave it disabled when the destination should replace the current page.
For code-controlled links, add target="_blank" and an explicit opener policy such as rel="noopener". Tell visitors when a link opens a new tab, and scope any site-wide automation so internal, login, download, and consent links are not changed accidentally.
Open one external link in the WordPress editor
- Select the linked text, image, button, or other block in the block editor.
- Open the block’s link settings.
- Expand Advanced.
- Turn on Open in new tab.
- Save or update the post, then test the link on the published page.
WordPress documentation describes this control as: “Turn on Open in new tab to open the link in a separate browser tab.” The setting applies to that link only; it does not change every link on your site.
Use HTML when a theme or template creates the link
A manually coded link can request a new browsing context with target="_blank":
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<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Example</a>What the attributes do
target="_blank"asks the browser to open the destination in a new tab or window, depending on the visitor’s browser settings.rel="noopener"removes the opener relationship so the opened page cannot use the original page as its opener. It is a clear, explicit policy for coded links and remains useful for older or embedded contexts.
Modern browsers changed their default security behavior, and WordPress later removed automatic insertion of rel="noopener noreferrer". You can still state the policy explicitly in markup. Add noreferrer only when you also want to suppress the referrer sent to the destination.
Choose the right approach for your site
| Situation | Recommended method | Important check |
|---|---|---|
| One or a few links | Use the editor’s Open in new tab toggle | Confirm the toggle is enabled on the intended linked block only |
| Theme, template, or generated markup | Add target="_blank" and your chosen rel policy in the rendering code |
Verify that only intended external links are affected |
| Many existing links | Use an external-link plugin with URL include and exclude rules | Exclude internal, login, download, payment, and consent links before activation |
| Custom content processing | Apply selective filtering around links_add_target() |
The function replaces existing target attributes, so indiscriminate use can overwrite deliberate link behavior |
Make site-wide external links open in a new tab
Use a plugin
Plugins such as External Links in New Window / New Tab (WebFactory) and WP External Links can identify external URLs and set new-window behavior. Their settings may also cover noopener, noreferrer, nofollow, sponsored, and ugc. Plugin compatibility, maintenance status, and settings change, so review those details in your WordPress installation before deployment.
- In the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for the plugin you have selected and install it from the Plugins screen.
- Activate it and open its settings page.
- Define which external domains or URL patterns are included.
- Add exclusions for links that must remain in the current tab or must not be rewritten.
- Review the generated markup and test representative pages while logged out.
An accessibility-focused option, Accessibility New Window Warnings, can add an indication when a link has target="_blank". Check how its warning appears visually and to screen readers before enabling it.
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Use custom WordPress processing
The developer function links_add_target( $content, '_blank' ) adds a target to links in supplied content. Because it replaces an existing target attribute, do not run it blindly over all content when some links already have intentional targets. Filter the content and destinations first, then verify the output.
Tell visitors that a link opens a new tab
Opening a new window or tab can disorient people, particularly screen-reader and keyboard users. When the behavior is necessary, include the information in the visible link text, for example:
Read the accessibility guidance (opens in a new tab)View the supplier's policy — opens in a new tab
Do not rely only on a visual icon or on target="_blank" to communicate the change. Test the wording, focus order, and any plugin-generated warning with keyboard navigation and a screen reader.
New-tab behavior is separate from SEO attributes
In the editor, Open in new tab and nofollow are separate Advanced settings. A new tab does not automatically make a link nofollow.
- Use
nofollowwhen your search policy says not to endorse or pass ranking signals through that link. - Use
sponsoredfor applicable paid or advertising relationships. - Use
ugcfor applicable user-generated links.
Choose these values for the relationship they represent, not simply because the destination is on another domain.
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- Open the published page in a normal browser session and activate the link.
- Confirm the destination opens in a separate tab or window without replacing the source page.
- Inspect the HTML to verify the intended
targetandrelvalues. - Test keyboard focus, back-button behavior, and screen-reader announcement.
- For automated solutions, test internal URLs, login screens, downloads, payment flows, consent links, and links with existing targets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does setting Open in new tab make an external link nofollow?
No. WordPress exposes Open in new tab and nofollow as separate settings. Add nofollow, sponsored, or ugc only when the applicable search-policy relationship calls for it.
Will target=”_blank” always open a browser tab?
It requests a new browsing context. The browser and the visitor’s settings determine whether that appears as a tab or a window.
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Can I make only selected domains open in a new tab?
Yes. Configure include and exclude rules in an external-link plugin, or filter destinations in custom code instead of applying a target to every link.
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