WordPress constantly changes; some things keep changing and return to where they were before. That’s why I’ve updated and am republishing this post from July 2023.

Light blue image with the words 'WordPress: "Open In New Tab' Box - Where Is It?' in white text.
This is where to find the ‘Open in new tab’ box on WordPress.

If, like me, when you create a pingback, you prefer links to open in a new window rather than in the same window you’re viewing (thus losing the page), it’s vital that you tick the ‘open in new tab‘ box when adding links or pingbacks to a blog post.

The ‘open in new tab‘ box used to be visible when creating a pingback but has reverted to being hidden again. I don’t know why, but I wanted to show you where to find it.

If you’re unsure what a pingback is or how to create one, my post, ‘The Power Of Pingbacks: How To Create One,’ has all the details.

  • Highlight the word(s) to which you want to add your pingback.
  • Click the pingback icon in the open toolbar, and add or search the URL address of the page, post or site you want to link to.
  • Click the ‘edit‘ button.
Image showing the pingback icon and edit button for a pingback on WordPress
After creating the pingback, click the edit button.
  • In the new window that opens, tick the ‘Open in new tab‘ box.
  • Click the ‘Save‘ button.
Image highlighting the 'open in new tab' box on WordPress
Tick the ‘open in new tab’ box.
  • When a reader clicks the pingback in the post, the link will now open in a new window (not on the same page they’re reading).
  • Want to test it? Click the following link – Meet Hugh. It should open in a new tab on your device.

Let’s hope that WordPress leaves the ‘open in new tab‘ box where it is.

If you have any inquiries about pingbacks or the ‘Open in new tab’ option, please feel free to ask in the comments section.

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61 responses to “WordPress: ‘Open In New Tab’ Box – Where Is It?”

  1. Marsha avatar

    Great tip, Hugh. I didn’t think to check out my links. I assumed that they opened in a new window. You don’t have to do that for every link do you?

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I’m afraid you do, Marsha. It seems that most people prefer a link to open in the same window, hence why WordPress have not ticked that box by default. However, the majority of bloggers and readers tell me that they hate it when a link opens in the same window they are reading (I hate it when that happens). Most don’t bother to go back to the page they were reading (including me).

      1. Marsha avatar

        I checked some of my former posts, and all of the ones I checked did open to a new page. I think years ago I check a box when I set up discussions or reading. I’ll go back and check and let you know. :)

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          It used to be much easier to tick the ‘open in new tab’ box. Why WordPress went and hid it, I’ve no idea. However, it’s just a few more clicks getting to it. Glad to hear your links are opening in a new tab.

          1. Marsha avatar

            Well, I’ve been ticking them anyway, now that I know. You never know when they will stop opening in another tab. :)

            1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

              Hopefully never, unless a bug starts ruining things.

            2. Marsha avatar

              Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. I don’t think bug have great brains. :)

      2. Marsha avatar

        Well, I checked everything. I couldn’t find where I had set anything about links in general, but mine do open to another tab as far as I can see.

  2. Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up - March 2024 avatar

    […] WordPress: ‘Open In New Tab’ Box – Where Is It? […]

  3. thoughtsnlifeblog avatar

    Thanks for the Tips and how to manage pingbacks.

    I have been away from wordpress.com for sometime. It has changed so much, I feel I am starting a New

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Yes, WordPress is constantly changing so there is always something new to learn. Welcome back.

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