The target attribute of the link

Basic Concepts of the target Attribute

The target attribute in HTML is used to specify how a link or form submission result should be opened. It commonly appears in <a>, <area>, <form>, and <base> tags, controlling where new content is displayed after a user clicks a link. This attribute plays a significant role in web navigation and user experience design.

<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank">Open in new window</a>

Common Values of the target Attribute

_blank

The most frequently used target value, indicating that the link should open in a new window or tab:

<a href="page.html" target="_blank">Open in new window</a>

Modern browsers typically open links in a new tab rather than a new window. This behavior can be configured in browser settings.

_self

The default value, indicating that the link should open in the current window/frame:

<a href="page.html" target="_self">Open in current window</a>
<!-- Equivalent to -->
<a href="page.html">Open in current window</a>

_parent

Opens the link in the parent frameset. If there is no parent frame, it behaves the same as _self:

<a href="page.html" target="_parent">Open in parent frame</a>

_top

Opens the link in the topmost frame of the window, canceling all frames:

<a href="page.html" target="_top">Open in top frame</a>

Custom Frame Name

A specific frame or window name can be specified:

<a href="page.html" target="contentFrame">Open in specified frame</a>

If the specified window/frame does not exist, the browser will create a new window and assign it that name.

Advanced Usage of the target Attribute

Using with iframe

<iframe name="contentFrame" src="initial.html"></iframe>
<a href="newpage.html" target="contentFrame">Load in iframe</a>

Multi-Window Control

// Open a new window and retain a reference
const newWindow = window.open('', 'myWindow', 'width=600,height=400');
document.querySelector('a').onclick = function() {
  newWindow.location.href = 'newpage.html';
  return false;
};

Form Submission Target

<form action="submit.php" target="responseFrame">
  <!-- Form content -->
</form>
<iframe name="responseFrame"></iframe>

Security Considerations for the target Attribute

Preventing Phishing Attacks

When using target="_blank", the newly opened page can access the original page via window.opener, posing a security risk:

<!-- Unsafe method -->
<a href="https://malicious.com" target="_blank">Click here</a>

<!-- Safe method -->
<a href="https://malicious.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Secure link</a>

noopener and noreferrer

Modern browsers recommend using rel="noopener noreferrer":

<a href="external.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Secure external link</a>

Browser Compatibility of the target Attribute

All major browsers fully support the target attribute, but behavior may vary on mobile devices:

• iOS Safari may ignore certain target settings
• Some browser extensions may modify default behavior
• Pop-up blockers may prevent certain target="_blank" openings

CSS Selectors for the target Attribute

CSS can be used to style links with specific target attributes:

a[target="_blank"]::after {
  content: "↗";
  font-size: 0.8em;
}

a[target="contentFrame"] {
  background-color: #f0f0f0;
}

Interaction Between target and JavaScript

JavaScript can dynamically control target behavior:

// Dynamically modify target
document.querySelectorAll('a').forEach(link => {
  if (link.href.startsWith('http')) {
    link.target = '_blank';
    link.rel = 'noopener noreferrer';
  }
});

// Detect target attribute
const link = document.getElementById('myLink');
if (link.target === '_blank') {
  console.log('This link will open in a new window');
}

Special Handling of target in Single-Page Applications (SPA)

Frameworks like Vue and React may require special handling for target:

// React example
function ExternalLink({ href, children }) {
  return (
    <a href={href} target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">
      {children}
    </a>
  );
}

SEO Impact of the target Attribute

Search engine crawlers typically ignore the target attribute, but there are some considerations:

• Excessive use of target="_blank" may affect user experience
• Ensure external links include rel="nofollow" or sponsored attributes
• Internal navigation is best served with the default target="_self"

Alternatives to the target Attribute

In some cases, JavaScript can replace the target attribute:

document.getElementById('myLink').addEventListener('click', function(e) {
  e.preventDefault();
  window.open(this.href, 'newwindow', 'width=800,height=600');
});

Future Trends of the target Attribute

HTML5 introduced some new related features:

• <base target="_blank"> can set a default target for all links on a page
• Proposed target="modal" for native dialog boxes
• Enhanced iframe communication APIs may influence how target is used

Practical Use Cases of the target Attribute

Multiple Document Interface (MDI) Applications

<nav>
  <a href="doc1.html" target="content">Document 1</a>
  <a href="doc2.html" target="content">Document 2</a>
</nav>
<iframe name="content" src="welcome.html"></iframe>

Split-View Reading Mode

<a href="article.html" target="reader" class="split-view">Reading Mode</a>
<!-- Implement split-screen effects via CSS and JS -->

Embedded Help System

<a href="help.html#topic1" target="helpWindow">Help</a>
<script>
  window.addEventListener('load', function() {
    const helpLinks = document.querySelectorAll('a[target="helpWindow"]');
    helpLinks.forEach(link => {
      link.onclick = function() {
        window.open(this.href, 'helpWindow', 'width=400,height=600,left=100,top=100');
        return false;
      };
    });
  });
</script>