According to usability expert Jakob Nielson, 95% of website visitors absolutely hate with a passion unexpected or unwanted Pop-up windows, especially those that contain unsolicitaed advertising. Infact, it is the Number 1 Most Hated Advertising Technique!

Creating a new browser window should be the authority of the user only. Do not try to pop-up new windows to clutter the user’s screen.

All links should open in the same window by default. An exception, however, may be made for pages containing a links list. It is convenient in such cases to open links in another window, so that the user can come back to the links page easily.

Even in such cases, it is advisable to give the user a prior note that links would open in a new window.

Pop Up Window Tips:

  • Tell visitors they are about to invoke a pop up window (using the link <title> attribute
  • Popup windows do not work in all browsers.
  • If they are relying on JavaScript to trigger
    them and in some cases they will replace
  • A <noscript> alternative is required.
  • They are disorienting for users who cannot
    created, eg, users with a screen reader or
    pop-up window covers the original one.
  • Provide the user with an alternative.

UK Government recommendations:

‘All links must open in the same window by default’

Guidelines for UK Government websites
Illustrated handbook for Web management teams

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