![]() Context: Users performing casual, laid-back tasks were far less bothered by new browser tabs or windows than users who were in high-pressure or time-sensitive scenarios.In our recent user research, we noticed that participants’ reactions to links opening in a new tab or window depended on: This decision has much more to do with people’s context, task, and what they’ll do next with the content housed at the link. ![]() The reason we can’t just generalize when to open a link in a new browser tab (or window) versus keep users in the same browser tab is because our user’s needs, expectations, and reactions aren’t triggered by a file format or link type (internal or external). If people want to leave a website, application, or document, they'll do so on their own terms.People are not dumb: they will realize the intent behind the extra windows and tabs, and may start to distrust your site and brand.Users will have to switch to the new window or tab to complete their task and there’s no guarantee that they will return to your site afterwards.By gratuitously adding an extra window or tab, you are increasing users’ information-management burden.Even though this may be true and sometimes even helpful (especially, as mentioned before, if users need to refer back to your site to finish their task), you also have to remember the following: This line of reasoning assumes that the tab or window containing your site will remain open and serve as a long(er)-term reminder for users. However, if I were on desktop and needed to reference both the PDF and the website together, opening it in a new window might be better. Since I’m on my mobile phone, opening the PDF in the same tab would preserve the back button and better suit my channel, context, and task. In the second case, I may need to reference information back on the website where the directions were originally linked. For example, in one case, I may need to print off a PDF of a flyer to post on the wall in my office, but in another, I may refer to a multipage PDF of directions on my mobile phone, to assemble a piece of furniture. In the first case, opening the PDF in a new tab would be favorable, as I’ll likely finish with the document after printing and close out of it. This argument is problematic however, because it assumes users will always do the exact same things with certain file formats, which isn’t always the case. It's a link to a different content type.The two following generalizations are often used as rationale for opening links in new browser tabs or windows: ![]() He also had multiple tabs open in one of the windows, so he could quickly switch to the one he needed to study. When links from course materials opened in a new window, he immediately resized the windows to see them both on the screen. A medical student preparing for an exam used two browser windows side by side to reference information in each one. In these types of situations, it can benefit the user to refer to that second window while working in the first one - provided, of course, that the two windows can be shown side by side on the screen. Or, someone studying a complex topic, such as medicine, may need to refer to course materials in one window, with drug and dosage information in another. For example, someone doing their taxes may need to refer to a document describing various laws and regulations in detail in one window, with tax-preparation software open in another. There is generally one good reason to open a page in a new window, and that is that the user will need to refer to that content in order to complete a task in another window.
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