Ask HN: Why do links open in the same tab on Hacker News?

A user script using Greasemonkey for Firefox or TamperMonkey for Chrome&#x2F;Chromium can change the behavior. For example:<p><pre><code> &#x2F;&#x2F; ==UserScript== &#x2F;&#x2F; @name add_target_blank &#x2F;&#x2F; @namespace com.kludgecode.demonstration &#x2F;&#x2F; @include https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;news &#x2F;&#x2F; @version 1 &#x2F;&#x2F; @grant none &#x2F;&#x2F; ==&#x2F;UserScript== var stories=document.getElementsByClassName(&quot;storylink&quot;); for (story of stories) { story.target = &quot;blank&quot;; }; </code></pre> Will add the behavior for the Hacker News front page. I tested with Greasemonkey and I&#x27;d expect it to work for Tampermonkey.<p>Greasemonkey: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;addons.mozilla.org&#x2F;en-US&#x2F;firefox&#x2F;addon&#x2F;greasemonkey&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;addons.mozilla.org&#x2F;en-US&#x2F;firefox&#x2F;addon&#x2F;greasemonkey&#x2F;</a><p>Tampermonkey: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;chrome.google.com&#x2F;webstore&#x2F;detail&#x2F;tampermonkey&#x2F;dhdgffkkebhmkfjojejmpbldmpobfkfo?hl=en" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;chrome.google.com&#x2F;webstore&#x2F;detail&#x2F;tampermonkey&#x2F;dhdgf...</a>

That&#x27;s the default on pretty much every site (google, reddit, etc). Instead, you can cmd&#x2F;ctrl click the link.

I just Ctrl-click when I want it in a new tab. Always expect a single click to open in the current tab, otherwise it&#x27;s an annoying surprise.

It&#x27;s possible that it&#x27;s a security thing. I consider it a feature. `window.opener` can do things that might be considered malicious.

I use this Chrome plugin to open links to any external site in a new tab<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;chrome.google.com&#x2F;webstore&#x2F;detail&#x2F;open-external-links-in-ne&#x2F;pmgjfdndcgbblimbigekghdmgkjbffba" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;chrome.google.com&#x2F;webstore&#x2F;detail&#x2F;open-external-link...</a>

I asked this a while back as well. I&#x27;m with you, but the community seems rather split on the subject.

Use Chrome, install the Vimium plugin: F + {Letter Combo}

ctrl (or command) click does the trick, but for me it&#x27;s easier to just middle-click with the mouse (or click the wheel).

Because Hacker News sucks...