Do you make external links open on a new tab?

External links should open in a new tab (by using HTML's target="_blank"). Since browsers implemented tabs (replacing new window), it's considered a good practice to open external links in a different tab.

Main reasons are:

• Avoiding 'Back-Button Fatigue';
• Keeping 'User Flow';
• Keeping a good track of Analytics

<a href="http://support.microsoft.com/support">Support</a>

❌ Figure: Bad example - External link opening on the same tab

<a href="http://support.microsoft.com/support" target="_blank">Support</a>

✅ Figure: Good example - External link opening in a new tab