[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #36809: Remove target="_blank" checkbox in Advanced Link Modal

[WordPress Trac]

#36809: Remove target="_blank" checkbox in Advanced Link Modal
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 Reporter:  mrwweb                             |      Owner:
     Type:  enhancement                        |     Status:  new
 Priority:  normal                             |  Milestone:  Awaiting
Component:  General                            |  Review
 Severity:  normal                             |    Version:
  Focuses:  ui, accessibility, administration  |   Keywords:
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 I'd like to propose that the streamlining and usability improvements to
 the Link Modal started in #33301 be continued by removing or modifying the
 "Open Link in New Tab/Window" checkbox for inserting `target="_blank"` in
 the editor.

 == `target="_blank"` Should Rarely be Used
 There are [https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/G200.html very few intended
 uses] for `target="_blank"` and those that exist (such as when a form is
 the main content of the page) apply to few pages.

 Additionally, when `target="_blank"`, the best practice is that
 [https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/G201.html users should be given
 advance warning] with text or an accessible icon, something almost never
 seen in the wild.

 `target="_blank"` is a way for website builders to remove control of a
 website visitor's browser and is abused much more than it's appropriately
 used. (It also provides [https://www.jitbit.com/alexblog/256-targetblank
 ---the-most-underestimated-vulnerability-
 ever/?mc_cid=db4f3ea20f&mc_eid=b8aa59508b an attack vector for phishing
 attacks].) Chris Coyier has a great article listing the [https://css-
 tricks.com/use-target_blank/ many bad reasons people do this].
 Unfortunately, this has become a [https://mrwweb.com/the-worst-practice-
 cycle/ fake "best practice."] I think WordPress can do the internet an
 immense favor by making this harder to do.

 == Two Options for Changing this

 === Remove the Checkbox Entirely
 This is my preferred solution. I believe that anyone who has the
 appropriate background knowledge to accurately assess when it's
 appropriate to use `target="_blank"` will also have the knowledge to use
 the Text editor to add it via HTML and meet the other usability
 requirements.

 This seems consistent with the "decisions not options" philosophy of
 WordPress development. Given the rare usage of this feature it ''should''
 be cumbersome to add. I suspect that the anger at losing this feature will
 be the primary reason given for not doing this, but I don't think that
 outweighs the numerous reasons given above. This isn't really that
 different from removing the `title` attribute textbox that gave 25%+ of
 the web a nudge toward better usability.

 '''WordPress can make the web a better place where visitors have more
 control over their browsers with this change.'''

 === Make It Irritating to Use
 If people aren't willing to entirely remove the `target="_blank"`
 checkbox, I believe that checking it should ''always'' trigger a modal
 window explaining when and when not to use `target="_blank"`. This is
 intentionally irritating and it should be. If editors are insistent on
 interfering with their visitors browsing preferences, they should have to
 work to do it. [http://www.erikaskin.com/index.php?/projects/design-to-
 annoy/ Designing to annoy] can be an effective technique, and this feels
 like an appropriate situation for doing so if removing the checkbox is
 considered unfeasible.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/36809>
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