It would be better to force links automatically to open a new tab, since it takes you away from the community as soon as you click an external link.
8 Likes
Thanks for flagging. I just made this change, but let me know if its still an issue!
6 Likes
Looks like it is working as designed, thanks!
4 Likes
It’s still an issue, despite there being a specific setting for this here.
“discuss.google.dev/u/YourUsernameHere/preferences/interface”
Also, the links at the top on the About page don’t open in a separate tab.
https://discuss.google.dev/about
FAQ, https://discuss.google.dev/faq
ToS, https://discuss.google.dev/tos
Privacy, https://discuss.google.dev/privacy
Now, I perfectly understand that these are seen as “internal” links, but they redirect to external links, and replace the forum page, forcing me to use the Back-button on the browser, which I really don’t like.
3 Likes
Are external links in topic posts or replies not opening up in a new tab when you click on them? If so, can you share the specific post where there is an external link that is not opening in a new tab?
Thank you for bringing to our attention the external links in the About page not opening up in a new tab, I will take this to the internal team.
3 Likes
A user suggested that external links should automatically open in a new tab because currently clicking them navigates away from the community site, disrupting the user experience.
1 Like
This issue has been resolved. Thank you for joining the Google Developer Program forums
2 Likes
I can confirm this was something that bothered me as well being taken away from the forum when clicking an external link broke the flow of reading and engaging here. Really appreciate that it’s now fixed so links open in a new tab; it definitely makes the community experience smoother and keeps the focus on the discussions. Thanks to the team for addressing this quickly! 
1 Like