Ask HN: Why isn't HN using target=“_blank” for links?
It just annoys me a lot, that i always have to use <Right click -> "Open in New Tab"> for a link. Why isn't "target="_blank" used? I'm just curious. It's about giving the user the option. If you use target blank it's impossible to stay in the same tab. Which can be a hassle on mobile or it could get blocked as an ad as well. How hard is CTRL + click or MMB? If the link opens a target on a other website it should be opened in a new tab. If it's a link on the same site it shouldn't. I believe there are a number of addons that will do that for you. 'nuff said In certain cases I use target blank myself, but there is some thought in UX design that its often better to let the user decide how to open a link for themselves. Asked myself this question more than once...