How to Open Blogger Link List Gadget Links in a New Tab

Do you want the links in your Blogger Link List widget to open in a new tab? You can do this by adding a small change to your template. This guide shows the steps in a clear and simple way.

Before you start

• Make a backup of your theme first. Go to Theme → Backup → Download.

Step 1: Open your template

1. Go to your Blogger dashboard.
2. Click Theme → Edit HTML.
3. Click inside the code area and press Ctrl + F to search.

Step 2: Find your Link List widget

Search for <b:widget id='LinkList or scroll until you see the Link List code block.

It will look similar to this:

<b:widget id='LinkList1' locked='false' title='Recommended Links' type='LinkList' visible='true'>
<b:includable id='main'>
  <b:include name='widget-title'/>
  <b:include name='content'/>
</b:includable>
<b:includable id='content'>
 <div class='widget-content'>
   <ul>
     <b:loop values='data:links' var='link'>
       <li><a expr:href='data:link.target'><data:link.name/></a></li>
     </b:loop>
   </ul>
 </div>
</b:includable>
</b:widget>

Step 3: Add the target attribute

Edit the <a> tag to include target='_blank'. This makes each link open in a new tab.

Important: add a space before target='_blank' so the HTML stays valid.

Update your code to the following:

<b:widget id='LinkList1' locked='false' title='Recommended Links' type='LinkList' visible='true'>
<b:includable id='main'>
  <b:include name='widget-title'/>
  <b:include name='content'/>
</b:includable>
<b:includable id='content'>
 <div class='widget-content'>
   <ul>
     <b:loop values='data:links' var='link'>
       <li><a expr:href='data:link.target' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'><data:link.name/></a></li>
     </b:loop>
   </ul>
 </div>
</b:includable>
</b:widget>

Adding rel='noopener noreferrer' improves security by preventing the new tab from controlling your blog, and it can also improve performance.

Step 4: Save your changes

1. Click Save in the top right corner of the editor.
2. Refresh your blog and test the links in the Link List widget.

Troubleshooting

• I cannot find the widget: Try searching for the exact widget ID if you know it, for example LinkList12.
• Links still open in the same tab: Make sure you added a space before target='_blank' and saved the template.
• Multiple Link List widgets: Repeat the same change for each Link List block you want to affect.

Done

Your Link List links should now open in a new tab. This is a small change that makes navigation more comfortable for your visitors.