Noopener

What is Noopener?

“Noopener” refers to the rel="noopener" HTML attribute added to links set to open in a new browser tab or window for security reasons.

The purpose of this attribute is to provide an additional level of security for site visitors, specifically by preventing a third-party website you link to from taking control over the browser tab through the window object (window.opener property).

Here’s how it looks in HTML code:

<a href="https://example.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Visit Example.com</a>

Why is Noopener Important?

Without the rel="noopener" attribute, the linked website could take control of the browser tab where the link was opened and redirect it to a phishing page or a malicious site. This could be used to steal personal data or install malware.

The rel="noopener" attribute protects your site’s visitors from this backdoor attack. Since it does not impact SEO, you can use it to enhance security without worrying about SEO consequences.

Since 2017, this attribute has been added automatically to links that open in a new tab or window in WordPress. However, it should be added to all external links, not just in WordPress.

As of 2020, most modern browsers automatically process links with target="_blank" as if rel="noopener" is set on them.

Does Noopener Impact SEO?

Some site owners have hesitated to use the rel="noopener" attribute due to concerns about SEO.

However, noopener has no impact on SEO regarding crawling or link juice flow. It operates at the browser level, addressing security vulnerabilities rather than affecting search engine optimization.

Should You Use Noopener on Your Website?

1. If You Use WordPress:

• WordPress automatically adds rel="noopener" to links with target="_blank". However, modern browsers already handle target="_blank" as if rel="noopener" is present. Still, it’s good practice to ensure noopener is used for enhanced security.

1. If You Don’t Use WordPress:

• It’s a good practice to manually include rel="noopener" on links that open in a new tab or window. This will protect visitors using older browser versions.

While noopener helps protect users from malicious code, it’s also important to be cautious about where you link to in the first place. By linking only to authoritative and trusted sites, you reduce risks to your users. Nevertheless, since websites can change, die, or be resold, today’s good links could become malicious later. Thus, noopener provides an extra layer of security.

FAQ

Does Noopener Affect SEO?

• No, rel="noopener" does not affect SEO regarding crawling or link juice. It is used purely for improving security.

How to Add Noopener in WordPress?

• In WordPress, rel="noopener" is automatically added to links with target="_blank". Ensure your plugins and theme are up-to-date to maintain this functionality.

How to Manually Add Noopener?

• For sites not using WordPress, manually add rel="noopener" to the HTML code of links set to open in a new tab or window.

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