Link Settings
Managing external links effectively is crucial for maintaining user engagement and SEO performance. In this demonstration, I'm working with a link provided by our content editor—though in practice, you can easily capture any URL directly from your browser's address bar.
I'll apply this link to the word "Wikipedia" to show the complete process. Once the text is selected, you'll see the standard link configuration options appear. Since I already have the target URL ready, I'll paste it directly into the field. For those who prefer manual entry, clicking the edit option reveals the traditional URL input field where you can type or paste your destination link.
Here's a critical consideration: since external links redirect your visitors away from your site, strategic link configuration becomes essential for user experience. You want readers to access valuable external resources without losing them entirely from your content ecosystem.
My recommendation is to configure external links to open in new tabs—a practice that's become standard in 2026 for external references. This approach allows visitors to explore the linked Wikipedia source while keeping your original content accessible in the background tab. They can seamlessly return to continue reading without using browser navigation. Once these settings are configured, a simple update publishes the changes. The green confirmation bar indicates successful implementation.
WordPress Link Creation Process
Select Text
Highlight the word or phrase you want to turn into a link, such as selecting 'Wikipedia' as anchor text
Insert URL
Paste or type the destination URL into the link field that appears
Configure Settings
Choose whether to open in new tab and adjust other link parameters
Update Content
Save your changes and verify the link works as expected
Link Opening Behavior Options
| Feature | Same Tab | New Tab |
|---|---|---|
| User stays on site | No | Yes |
| Navigation simplicity | High | Medium |
| Best for external links | No | Yes |
| Preserves reading flow | No | Yes |
Opening Links in New Tabs
Always configure external links to open in new tabs to prevent visitors from leaving your site completely while still providing access to valuable reference materials.
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