I recently installed the Typepad widget which opens links from Brand Autopsy postings in a new window. Well, I just received an email from a reader who doesn’t like new windows opening when she clicks on the links. Anyone else feel the same? Anyone like embedded links opening in new windows on the blog? Your feedback will determine whether I widget or not. Thanks.
Links in same site = same window
Links in new site = new window
Too easy.
Posted by: Brett | June 29, 2006 at 07:05 PM
the target=_blank "new window" behavior isn't really conformant anyway; you should not highjack a user's browser assuming you know what is best for them, let them decide.
Posted by: Bill | June 29, 2006 at 08:05 PM
I agree with Brett. Personally, I like when a new window opens up for an external link. Without it I tend to be a little A.D.D. - I'll go on and on and forget what I was reading to begin with!
Posted by: ann michael | June 29, 2006 at 08:37 PM
John, I'm having the same discussion with myself.
I'm sure it's just coincidence but when I added the same widget to my blog, my page views went down - just the opposite of what I would have expected. I'm thinking of pulling it just to see if my pages views go back up again.
Anyone have any thoughts on that? Probably it is just coincidence (says she with no idea really!).
Posted by: Laura | June 29, 2006 at 09:06 PM
For those of us who use tabs new windows are a real pain in the arse :)
Posted by: cyberhill | June 29, 2006 at 10:21 PM
I agree that it would be great if the widget knew whether or not you were using Firefox or not to open a new tab, vice a new window. I personally like the idea of a new (tab preferred, but window works) on my blog, and I added the widget for me to my blog. I also offer a lot of jumping off points, so it's actually helped my page views. Interested to read what others say, so far seems mixed to bad.
Posted by: Phil Gerbyshak | June 30, 2006 at 12:46 AM
To all Brand Autopsy readers: If you hate this - blame me. It's my fault. I told John about this. Sorry John! :)
Posted by: Mike Landman | June 30, 2006 at 11:15 AM
I also agree with Brett. If the link is to another page on your site, then the same window is good. If the link is to an external site, I prefer a new window. Thanks for asking what your readers prefer!
Posted by: Paughnee | June 30, 2006 at 01:22 PM
I never want a hyperlink to open a new browser window.
Posted by: David | June 30, 2006 at 02:35 PM
Thanks for your feedback folks ... I've disabled the "open links in new window" widget.
Posted by: johnmoore (from Brand Autopsy) | July 01, 2006 at 11:20 AM
I agree with Bill...A.D.D. is a terrible thing and I hate getting lost on the 'Interweb'. It can be a large, frightening space. ;)
Posted by: patmcgraw | July 05, 2006 at 09:17 AM
new link
Posted by: sam | July 05, 2006 at 12:44 PM
Definetly a link that opens a separate window is preferred since when you finish from reading the link you can go back to what you were reading without having to scroll down to find out where you got stopped.
It is faster and easier to have a window that opens separately on the click of the link
Posted by: Imad Raslan | July 09, 2006 at 02:49 AM