René's URL Explorer Experiment

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"DiscussionForumPosting","headline":"Idea: Introduce new rule against use of `target=\"_blank\"` on links","articleBody":"`target=\"_blank\"` is frequently used on external links. However, this can be disorienting for many groups of users who don't expect to be in a new window. Using `target=\"_blank\"` requires extra considerations which can be tricky to enforce, so it may be best to avoid them altogether.\r\n\r\nFrom @jscholes in [Slack thread](https://github.slack.com/archives/C0FSWLQ0Y/p1647548349260269):\r\n\r\n\u003e TL;DR: don't force links to open in a new tab/window.  When you force it, users can not opt out in any browser I know of.  However, when you give them the choice from the start, users can make their own decision as to: current window, new tab, or new entire window.\r\n\u003e If links are forced to open in a new tab/window, you have to surface that fact upfront, with \"(opens in new tab)\" and icons everywhere.  Personally, while I see the utility of this, it makes many websites cluttered and a nightmare to read, particularly when you have new-opener links in the middle of text paragraphs.  And, can all be avoided by just not doing it in the first place.\r\n\r\n#### Resources\r\n\r\n- [Link Targets and 3.2.5](https://adrianroselli.com/2020/02/link-targets-and-3-2-5.html)\r\n- [G201: Giving users advanced warning when opening a new window](https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/G201.html)\r\n- [Links and new windows](https://accessibility.oit.ncsu.edu/it-accessibility-at-nc-state/developers/accessibility-handbook/mouse-and-keyboard-events/links/links-and-new-windows/)\r\n","author":{"url":"https://github.com/khiga8","@type":"Person","name":"khiga8"},"datePublished":"2022-03-17T21:06:32.000Z","interactionStatistic":{"@type":"InteractionCounter","interactionType":"https://schema.org/CommentAction","userInteractionCount":0},"url":"https://github.com/26/erblint-github/issues/26"}