The WCAG 2.0 AA standards say to limit the amount of links/buttons that open in new tabs/windows. Visitors without disabilities can always choose to open links in a new browser window or tab if they want to (e.g., right-click the link and select “Open Link in New Tab” or “Open Link in New Window”). I've regularly seen Lucy activate a link on a website that was configured to automatically open in a new tab, and she had no idea that it had opened! This practice can also cause confusion for users with certain cognitive disabilities. For one thing, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) does not recommend this practice, as it takes the control out of the user's hands (opening a new tab without the user's consent).Īdditionally, it's an accessibility best practice to not have links open automatically in a new tab/window, as this can cause confusion for screen reader users. The Web Access team doesn't recommend opening links in new tabs. Thank you for asking - this is a very common question, and something we encounter regularly during Web Access clinics, and when visiting websites in general!
Can I configure these links so that they automatically open in a new tab? I don't want people to leave my site when they click on links.
