Opening internal links in new windows has long been a debated topic in SEO circles. While it might seem like a small detail, how you handle internal links can impact both your site’s user experience and SEO performance.
In this article, we’ll break down why opening internal links in new windows is bad for SEO, provide insights into the potential drawbacks, and guide you on the best practices for optimizing your internal linking strategy. We’ll also discuss related SEO elements, including user behavior, bounce rates, and the technical implications of link handling.
What Is Internal Links and SEO?
Internal links are an essential part of website navigation. They help guide users through your content and allow search engines to crawl and index your pages effectively.
Internal linking refers to linking pages within your own website, in contrast to external links, which point to other domains.
A well-structured internal linking strategy contributes to better SEO performance by improving crawlability and distributing link equity across your site.
However, a common practice that can impact SEO is opening internal links in new windows or tabs. Many webmasters choose this approach for a variety of reasons, but does it benefit your site?
Why Opening Internal Links in New Windows is Bad for SEO
Opening internal links in new windows is bad for SEO primarily because it can affect user behavior and engagement, both of which are important ranking factors for search engines like Google. Here’s a breakdown of why this practice is detrimental:
Disrupting User Flow
When internal links open in a new window, the user experience is disrupted. This unexpected behavior may lead to user confusion and frustration.
People are generally accustomed to internal links opening in the same tab, and forcing them to open in new windows can create a disjointed browsing experience. This can result in:
- Increased bounce rates as users leave without interacting further.
- A higher exit rate, as users may become overwhelmed with multiple tabs or windows.
Google uses user engagement metrics such as bounce rate and time on site as indirect signals to assess the quality of a website.
A poor user experience can signal to Google that your site is not user-friendly, negatively impacting your rankings.
SEO and Crawlability Issues
From an SEO perspective, there is no direct evidence that opening internal links in new windows impacts the link equity passed through these links.
However, search engine crawlers may face difficulties in navigating your site structure if a user is consistently redirected to new windows.
While Googlebot can crawl links regardless of whether they open in the same tab or a new one, the complexity of multiple windows can lead to poor crawl depth, particularly if these windows don’t align with your site’s intended structure.
Additionally, if internal links open in new windows and the user closes them quickly, they may not interact with your site enough to positively impact your SEO.
Page Load Times and Performance
Another reason opening internal links in new windows is bad for SEO has to do with page load times. If the browser needs to load a new window or tab every time an internal link is clicked, this may lead to longer load times, especially on slower connections or older devices.
Slow load times are a known ranking factor and could result in lower search rankings if users leave your site due to frustration.
Additionally, ad-heavy sites or pages with complex elements might require users to reload resources, such as ads, every time they return to the original page.
This can make your site appear sluggish and result in a poor user experience, ultimately harming your SEO performance.
Why Opening Internal Links in New Windows is Bad for SEO
1. Disrupts User Flow and Experience
When internal links open in a new window, it disrupts the natural browsing experience. Users typically expect internal links to open in the same tab. This unexpected behavior can cause:
- Confusion and frustration, leading to premature exits.
- Increased bounce rates, as users may not return to the original page.
- Higher exit rates, especially on content-heavy sites.
2. Negative Impact on SEO & Crawlability
Although Googlebot can crawl internal links regardless of how they open, excessive use of new-window links may:
- Create a disjointed site structure, leading to poor crawl depth.
- Reduce meaningful user interactions, lowering engagement metrics Google considers.
- Lead to lower rankings, due to diminished user satisfaction.
3. Slower Page Load Times
Opening links in new windows can impact page performance, particularly on older devices or slow connections. Additional resource loading may cause:
- Longer page load times, which negatively affect rankings.
- Frustration for users, causing them to leave the site.
- Ad-heavy sites to reload elements, leading to performance issues.
4. Mobile Usability Concerns
With Google’s mobile-first indexing, mobile usability is a top priority. Opening internal links in new windows can:
- Create tab overload, making navigation difficult.
- Lead to higher bounce rates, as users struggle to return.
- Reduce engagement metrics, which can indirectly affect rankings.
5. Security Risks (Tabnabbing)
Using target="_blank" without rel="noopener" can expose your site to tabnabbing attacks, where malicious pages gain control over the original tab. While security risks are minimal for internal links, best practices suggest avoiding target="_blank" unless necessary.
The Impact on Mobile Usability
With the increasing importance of mobile-first indexing, making sure your website is user-friendly on mobile devices is crucial.
Opening internal links in new windows on mobile devices can have a significantly negative impact, as it requires additional steps to navigate between tabs.
Many users may find it difficult to switch between multiple tabs on a small mobile screen, which could lead to higher bounce rates and reduced engagement.
In addition, mobile browsers often handle links differently from desktop browsers, leading to a less seamless experience when links open in new tabs.
The Security Implications
There are also security considerations when opening links in new tabs. Using the target="_blank" attribute without additional security attributes like rel="noopener" can expose your site to security risks.
For example, the site in the new tab could potentially gain control over your original window (a vulnerability known as tabnabbing). This could lead to malicious behavior or data loss for users.
To mitigate this, ensure that all internal links with target="_blank" include the rel="noopener" attribute. However, it’s generally recommended to avoid using target="_blank" for internal links altogether, as this is unnecessary and could cause UX issues.
How to Optimize Internal Linking for SEO
Here’s a checklist for optimizing internal links on your site:
| SEO Best Practice | Details |
|---|---|
| Open Internal Links in Same Tab | Always keep internal links in the same window for a consistent user experience. |
| Use Descriptive Anchor Text | Use clear, descriptive anchor text that accurately reflects the destination page’s content. |
| Link to High-Quality Pages | Only link to high-quality content that adds value to users, ensuring your link equity is passed to valuable pages. |
| Ensure Clear Navigation | Implement a clear navigation structure with breadcrumbs and organized content. |
| Avoid Multiple New Tabs | Avoid opening multiple new windows or tabs unless absolutely necessary for external links or specific situations. |
| Test Mobile Usability | Ensure internal links are easy to navigate on mobile devices, with links opening in the same tab for simplicity. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, opening internal links in new windows is bad for SEO primarily due to its negative impact on user experience, site performance, and mobile usability.
Opening Internal Links in New Windows is Bad for SEO as it negatively impacts SEO, user experience, and site performance. While search engines do not directly penalize this practice, its indirect effects—such as increased bounce rates, poor engagement, and mobile usability issues—can harm rankings.
Keep internal links in the same window, use clear navigation, and focus on high-quality content to drive better SEO results. By following these best practices, you can improve both your user experience and your site’s SEO performance.
FAQS
Why is opening internal links in new windows bad for SEO?
Opening internal links in new windows can harm user experience, increase bounce rates, and reduce engagement, all of which negatively impact SEO.
What is the impact of opening internal links in new windows on SEO?
Opening internal links in new windows does not provide any SEO benefits and can harm user experience, which may indirectly affect SEO performance.
Does opening internal links in new tabs affect website bounce rate?
Yes, it can potentially increase bounce rate, as users may be less likely to return to your site if the link opens in a new window instead of the same tab.
Why is Opening Internal Links in New Windows Bad for SEO?
It disrupts user experience, increases bounce rates, and lowers engagement metrics, all of which impact SEO.
Does Opening Internal Links in New Windows affect Google rankings?
While not a direct ranking factor, poor user engagement caused by new-window links can indirectly impact rankings.
Should internal links open in the same tab for accessibility?
Yes, keeping links in the same tab aligns with accessibility best practices, ensuring predictable navigation for all users.
Is there ever a reason to open internal links in new windows?
Rarely. Only in special cases—like important announcements or user-generated forms—should internal links open in new windows.
How does Opening Internal Links in New Windows impact mobile usability?
Opening Internal Links in New Windows is Bad for SEO because it creates navigation difficulties, increases bounce rates, and disrupts the mobile browsing experience.
Can Opening Internal Links in New Windows cause security issues?
Yes, using target="_blank" without security attributes can expose users to tabnabbing risks.
Does Opening Internal Links in New Windows affect page load speed?
Yes, it can increase page load times, leading to user frustration and potential ranking drops.
Are there any SEO benefits to Opening Internal Links in New Windows?
No, Opening Internal Links in New Windows is Bad for SEO as it does not provide any ranking benefits and can negatively impact user engagement.
By following these internal linking best practices, you can enhance both user satisfaction and SEO performance, ultimately leading to better rankings and a smoother browsing experience.
