Should links open in a new window on LL?
 

Maybe this is a basic question, but I'd like to know everyone's opinion.

It seems most TGPs open the galleries in a new window, and I see some LL do this as well. I think it would be a good idea as it keeps the surfer surfing your LL if they don't like the site they clicked on.

Maybe this distracts the surfer and they think it's a pop-up, or surfers don't like two browsers open when surfing for porn?

What are your theories?

I think it really depends on the site....I know for my link directory, when a surfer clicks on a link to check out, it does open that site in a new window. If they are not happy with it, they can close it and continue with my directory. This also applies to any sponsor sites I have on my site which I am promoting...

However, when it comes to the actual sites themselves, I prefer they don't have massive popups or constant new pages if these pages are still part of the same domain.

Short answer: no

I personally hate new windows, but I don't mind of the Link List or TGP has the option to open the link in a new window (as long as the default is set to not pop it)

New window is fine, and other big LL's do it. Also, it keeps the surfer at your site longer, which definately increases your click productivity.

Or, if you prefer, why not at least give surfers the option to choose... I've seen some sites that have a "NW" link before every link, which is the "new window" option.

ditto

That's how I do it on my list. |thumb

I looked at your LL, LadyDesigner. It's very clean and easy to surf. I don't see how you have the option to pop the links in a new window, though?

On every page except the index, there's a big red text link with a check box next to it that says "Open links in new window". You don't see it?

I think there are good arguements both for and against it.

I open links in a new window. Why? Because I want to.

I'll give $1 to anyone that's started in the last 3 years that can tell me why a lot of us old schoolers hate new windows :D

Cus they suck?


from what I see, link lists rarely use new windows by default but TGPs do. This might be why TGPs apparenly have so much more traffic, but link sites generate so many more sales. :)

Alex

I did some searching around, some of the 'heavyweights" open new windows, some don't. I use em so that if a site I'm linked to decides to do something sneaky, the surfer can (hopefully) just close the new window and be back where he started.

If you have a good reason for not using them, why not just say so. Spell it out baby. I'm always willing to learn something new, and I can change my setup really easily.

I had to think about what you said here, Alex. I was trying to figure out a way that opening links in new windows would inflate traffic numbers. Couldn't figure it.

I think the reason most link lists have bigger traffic numbers is blind linking and circle jerking. That's why it's less productive than link list traffic, at least imo.

I'm not saying all this just to be argurmentative. I'd just like to know if there's a good reason to change the way I do things. Sometimes you can get tunnel vision on these kinds of things.

Um, OK, I see how you have that setup now. That is pretty cool.

Maybe it should be the other way around? The links open in a new window as default, but the surfer can select an option to open links in the same window.

I want my $1, GG, but I can't figure out why it is so bad for the links to open in a new window.

Is it cause it allows the surfer to easily go back to the original LL to look for more free stuff rather than edgeing them forward to the sponser? Even though the LL doesn't always benifit by a sale on someone else's freesite it attracts quality submitters if thier traffic converts.

If i'm right (which i dont think I am) I'll give Green Guys dollar to the person who sends in the most embarressing picture of themselves (definately worth a dollar).