Custom HTML Link: How to Open Link in a New Tab

In this beginner-friendly article, we will guide you on how to create an HTML link that opens in a new browser tab. This technique is especially useful when you want your website visitors to open a link without navigating away from your page.

Understanding HTML Links

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard markup language for creating web pages. An HTML link is created using the anchor element, <a>. The href attribute within this element specifies the destination of the link.

Here's a simple example of an HTML link:

In this example, when a user clicks on "Visit Example.com," they are directed to the URL "https://example.com" in the same browser tab.

Opening a Link in a New Tab

If you want the link to open in a new tab, you'll need to use the target attribute with the _blank value in the <a> tag. Here's how you can do it:

In this example, clicking "Visit Example.com" will open the link in a new browser tab. The target="_blank" attribute-value pair directs the browser to open the link in a new tab or a new window, depending on the browser's settings.

Enhancing Security with rel="noopener"

While the target="_blank" attribute is quite handy, it does have a minor security issue. The new page has access to your previous page via the window.opener JavaScript object, potentially leading to some security risks.

To mitigate this issue, you can add rel="noopener" to your link. This attribute prevents the new page from accessing the window.opener object. Here's an example:

Conclusion

Adding the target="_blank" attribute to your HTML links is a simple and effective way to improve the user experience on your website. It allows your visitors to explore additional content without losing their place on your site.

Remember to include the rel="noopener" attribute to ensure your website remains secure. Happy coding!