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External Links in New Window / New Tab

By WebFactory

Site Administration & Utilities / URL Redirects & 301 Management

External Links in New Window / New Tab Review - In-Depth Analysis

Open external links in a new window or new tab. SEO optimized and XHTML Strict compliant.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.66/10

User Rating

4.5/5 (based on 77+ reviews)

Active Installations

30,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

3 / 10 (Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

This plugin opens external links in a new tab or a new window. You can set URLs that should either be forced to open in a new window or ignored.

The plugin produces XHTML Strict compliant code and is search engine optimized (SEO). This is done using JavaScript's window.open() function. It adds only a few lines of vanilla JavaScript to the page and does not require any external libraries like jQuery.

Most other plugins perform a hack by altering the target parameter. This plugin handles the links client-side, which lets search engines follow the links properly. Also, if a browser does not support JavaScript, the plugin is simply inactive and does not result in any errors.

If you need a more advanced plugin, with more options try our free WP External Links plugin.

Comparing to Alternatives

This plugin focuses solely on opening external links in new tabs or windows, offering a straightforward solution without extra features.

Top alternatives

External Links in New Window / New Tab

Strengths

Extremely simple and easy to use with minimal setup.
Effectively restores functionality changed in WordPress 6.3.
No configuration required, works immediately after activation.
Lightweight and does not add unnecessary bloat.

Weaknesses

Limited to one specific function without customization options.
No premium version or advanced features available.
May not integrate with all ad platforms, as reported with Google Ads.
Lacks additional link management features found in other plugins.

User Sentiment Analysis

Users generally appreciate the plugin's simplicity and effectiveness, though some report compatibility issues.

Positive highlights

'I never realized that creating links could be so simple.' - mocha24
'Great plugin, great support!' - mhscodafweb
'It is working perfectly after installation. Don’t need any setup or configuration.' - boonpraserd
'Simple, elegant plug-in saving me time.' - philsimon
'Download, activate, you are done.' - Christian Saborio

Common complaints

Does not work with Google Ads as expected.
Limited functionality with no customization options.

Weaknesses

No updates to address compatibility with certain ad platforms.
Lack of advanced features or settings for power users.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who want a quick and hassle-free way to open external links in new tabs without dealing with complex settings.

Not ideal for

Those needing advanced link management, customization, or integration with advertising platforms may find this plugin insufficient.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides the core functionality of opening external links in new windows or tabs with no setup required.

Final Verdict

This plugin excels in simplicity and ease of use, making it ideal for users who want to quickly enable external links to open in new tabs without any configuration.

However, its limited features and reported compatibility issues with certain ad platforms mean it may not suit users seeking more comprehensive link management solutions.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free External Links in New Window / New Tab plugin.

External links

New tab

New window

Screenshots

FAQ

Just use standard Plugin overview page in WordPress admin section and deactivate it or rename plugin folder /wp-content/plugins/open-external-links-in-a-new-window over FTP access.