A target blank link opens away from the current browsing context. Noopener protects the opener relationship, while noreferrer also hides referral data from the target. The important question is always where the link leads and whether the person reading the page can predict it.
What You Need to Know
Use both only when their privacy and compatibility effects are what you intend. Modern browsers commonly imply noopener for target blank.
Links are the pathways through a website. The words on a link should help someone choose where to go before clicking it.
Example: See It in Action
Take a look at this small piece of HTML. You can use it in a practice document and change the text to make it your own.
This is a short HTML fragment. To try it as a webpage, put it inside the body element of a complete HTML document.
<a href="resources.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">
Open resources in a new tab
</a>
<p>Only use a new tab when there is a good reason.</p>Let’s Understand the Example
- An a element becomes a working link when it has an href. Its visible text should tell readers where they will go.
- A p groups a paragraph of related text. Start another paragraph for a new thought.
- Target chooses the browsing context where a link opens. Blank usually opens a new tab.
- Href contains the destination of a link. A value starting with # points to an id on the same page.
- Rel describes a relationship to the linked page or resource, including security and search hints.
The first example link points to resources.html. Check whether that destination exists relative to the document. A link changes where readers go; it does not perform an action such as saving a form.
What Should You See?
You should see a link named “Open resources in a new tab”. Selecting it leads to resources.html when that destination exists. Try it with the mouse and the keyboard.
Imagine this link is read out of context. Would its text still explain the destination? Rename unclear links before trying to make them look nicer with CSS.
Try It Yourself
- Compare target blank with a normal same-tab link.
- Save your changes, open or refresh the page, and compare the result with the original example.
- Tell a friend what your change did. If you are not sure, undo it, refresh the page, and compare.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Assuming noreferrer blocks the target site from seeing every part of the visitor's identity.
- Avoid dead links, empty href values and clickable-looking text without a real destination.
Key Takeaways
- A target blank link opens away from the current browsing context.
- An a element becomes a working link when it has an href. Its visible text should tell readers where they will go.
- Use both only when their privacy and compatibility effects are what you intend. Modern browsers commonly imply noopener for target blank.