In my post, I show you step by step how to set your WordPress blog post links and menu links to open in a new browser tab.
When a visitor clicks on one of your links, they leave your blog post. To stop them losing your page, always set your links to open in a new browser tab. You don’t want to make it difficult for people to return.
You can make a WordPress blog post link open in a new tab by changing a setting from the block toolbar. Create a custom link for your menu links to make them display in a new browser tab.
Let’s get started.
How to make a WordPress menu link open in a new tab
Step one – Open ‘menus’ in your WordPress admin
Hover your mouse over ‘Appearance’ in your WordPress admin menu and select ‘Menus.’
Step two – Open the ‘Custom Links’ tab.
Under the ‘Add menu items’ heading there are four tabs, select ‘Custom Links.’
Step three – Paste your destination URL
In the top box, paste your destination URL. In the second box, type the text you want displaying in the menu.
For example, I will paste my YouTube channel URL in the top box and have ‘YouTube’ as the menu label title.
Step four – Add to menu.
Once complete, select ‘Add to Menu.’
Now your custom link appears in your menu structure on the right.
Step five – Select the ‘Open link in a new tab’ option.
Click on your custom link to reveal additional options. Tick the ‘Open link in a new tab’ box.
If you don’t see this option, select ‘Screen Options’ on the top-right, and select ‘Link target.’
Step six – Save menu
Finally, select ‘Save Menu’ to publish your changes.
After your changes are published, you get a confirmation message.
Now the menu link opens in a new tab.
If you don’t want to add a custom link but still want your menu items to open in a new tab. Select the tab in your menu and tick the ‘Open link in a new link’ box, then save your menu.
How to make a WordPress blog post link open in a new tab
Step one – Create a clickable link in your blog post.
To start, highlight the text in your post that you want to be a clickable link.
Step two – Select the link icon from the toolbar.
Once you highlight the text, a toolbar appears above the text. Select the link icon.
Step three – Paste your destination URL and enable ‘Open link in new tab.’
Paste your destination URL into the box and slide the button across to enable the ‘Open in new tab’ option.
Step four – Activate the link.
Next, select the arrow icon to activate the clickable link.
Now the link is active and when clicked, will open in a new tab.
Step five – Publish your post.
Finally, publish or update your post to activate your changes on your live website.
Now your links will open in a new tab.
How to make WordPress image links open in a new tab
Step one – Create an image block in your blog post.
First, add an image block to your blog post content. To add a block, click on the ‘+’ icon on the right or top-left.
In the search box, type ‘image.’ Then select the image icon.
Step two – Upload an image.
In the image block, select ‘Upload’ to upload an image or select ‘Media library’ to use one from your library.
Step three – Select the link icon from the toolbar.
Click on your image then a toolbar appears. From the toolbar, select the link icon.
Step four – Paste your destination URL and select open in a new tab.
First, select the down icon to reveal more options.
Paste your destination URL in the box and slide the button across to activate the link to open in a new tab.
Next, select the arrow icon to confirm your changes.
Finally, update or publish your blog post.
Now your image has a link that opens in a new browser tab.
How to make WordPress links open in a new tab video tutorial
Conclusion
Now you know how to add links that open in a new tab to blog posts, menu items, and images.
I recommend setting all your clickable links to open in a new tab so that your visitor can return to your site with ease.
The new updated WordPress editor makes changing links to open in a new tab simple.
Before you return to your blog to change your links, would you kindly spare one minute to leave a comment? I appreciate all feedback.
For a tutorial on setting up menus in WordPress, please visit my ‘how to create a drop-down menu in WordPress‘ post.
I also have a YouTube channel, with tutorials on using WordPress, SEO, keyword research, and the Amazon affiliate program.
