What is the purpose of the HTML target attribute in links
Jul 31, 2025 am 11:34 AMThe target attribute in HTML links controls where the linked content opens, with _blank being most common for external links to keep users on the site; always pair it with rel="noopener" for security; other values like _self (default, same tab), _parent (parent frame), _top (full window), or custom frame names are used in specific contexts like framesets or iframes, though these are now rare.
The target
attribute in HTML links (<a></a>
tags) specifies where the linked document or resource should open when the user clicks the link. It controls the destination context for the URL, such as whether it loads in the current tab, a new tab, a new window, or a specific frame.

Here are the most common values of the target
attribute:
-
_self
(default): Opens the link in the same frame or tab as the current document. -
_blank
: Opens the link in a new tab or window (depending on browser settings). -
_parent
: Opens the link in the parent frame, useful when working with framesets. -
_top
: Opens the link in the full body of the window, breaking out of any frames. -
Custom frame/iframe name: You can target a specific
<iframe></iframe>
or frame by name.
Why use target="_blank"
?
The most common use is target="_blank"
, which is helpful when you want to:

- Keep users on your site while linking to external resources.
- Open documentation, references, or third-party sites without navigating away.
Example:
<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank">Visit Example</a>
?? Important security note: When using target="_blank"
, always add rel="noopener"
(or rel="noreferrer"
) for security and performance:

<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit Example</a>
This prevents the new page from gaining control over the original page via JavaScript (window.opener
), which could lead to security risks or performance issues.
When to use other target values
-
_parent
and_top
are mostly used in legacy sites with frames or iframes, which are now rare. - Named targets (e.g.,
target="myFrame"
) are useful when working with iframes in dashboards or embedded layouts.
In short, the target
attribute gives you control over where a link opens, and target="_blank"
is the most widely used for external links — just remember to include rel="noopener"
for safety.
Basically, it's about user experience and navigation control.
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