How to Make Chrome Open Links in a New Tab

If you are searching for how to make Chrome open links in a new tab, you probably find it frustrating when clicking a link replaces the page you are reading. Whether you are researching a topic, shopping for products, or following multiple articles, being able to open links in new tabs keeps your place while you explore additional content. There are several simple ways to make this happen in Chrome, and we will walk through each one.

The Quick Keyboard Solution

The fastest way to open a link in a new tab is to use a keyboard shortcut. This method works every time and does not require changing any settings.

When you want to open a link in a new tab instead of the current one, hold down the Ctrl key (or Command key on a Mac) and click the link. The link will open in a new tab, but Chrome will stay on your current page. This means you can click multiple links this way and build a collection of tabs to read later.

If you are using a Mac, the Command key takes the place of Ctrl. So Command-click works the same way on Apple computers.

Another useful shortcut is pressing the middle mouse button (the scroll wheel) on a link. This also opens the link in a new tab, and it feels natural once you get used to it.

Chrome does not have a single setting that forces all links to open in new tabs, but you can adjust your browsing experience in other helpful ways.

When you right-click a link, you see a context menu with options. One of those options says “Open link in new tab.” This is useful when you want to choose specifically which links to open in new tabs rather than having it happen automatically.

You can also adjust how new tabs appear. By default, new tabs open next to the current one, which keeps things organized. If you prefer new tabs to open at the end of your tab bar, you can enable that setting in Chrome flags, though it requires some experimentation.

Using Right-Click Context Menu

The right-click menu is your friend when you want control over how links open. Here is how to use it effectively.

When you see a link you want to open in a new tab, right-click on that link. A menu appears with several choices. Look for the option that says “Open link in new tab” and click it. The link loads in a new tab while your current page stays where it is.

This method gives you complete control. You decide for each individual link whether it opens in the same tab or a new one. It takes an extra second or two, but many people prefer this approach because it matches how they think about their browsing.

Drag and Drop Method

Another interesting way to open links in new tabs is to drag the link to the tab bar rather than clicking it.

Click and hold on a link, then drag it up toward your tab bar. As you drag, you see a small indicator showing where the new tab will appear. Release the mouse button, and Chrome opens that link in a new tab at the position you indicated.

This method is particularly handy when you want to place the new tab in a specific spot among your existing tabs. It gives you visual feedback about where the tab will land, which is useful when you have many tabs open.

If you want more control over how links open, there are Chrome extensions designed specifically for this purpose. One option worth considering is Tab Suspender Pro.

Tab Suspender Pro helps you manage tabs more effectively, and part of its functionality includes giving you more control over how new tabs are created. While its main feature is suspending inactive tabs to save memory, it also provides options for customizing your tab-opening behavior. You can find it in the Chrome Web Store, and it offers a free version that covers the basics.

There are other extensions that focus specifically on link handling. Some allow you to set default behaviors for different types of links, while others add useful options to the right-click menu. Browsing the Chrome Web Store for “open in new tab” reveals several choices, though it is worth reading reviews to find ones that work well.

Making Middle Mouse Button Work

If you have a mouse with a middle button (a scroll wheel that clicks), this can be one of the most convenient ways to open links in new tabs.

Simply click the middle mouse button on any link. It opens in a new tab, and you feel a satisfying click as the new tab appears. This method works in most applications on your computer, not just Chrome, which makes it a universal skill.

If your middle mouse button does not seem to work this way in Chrome, check your mouse settings in Chrome itself. Go to Settings, then Mouse, and make sure the option for using middle click to open links in new tabs is enabled.

What About Touchpad Users

If you use a laptop with a touchpad, you have a couple of options for opening links in new tabs.

Many touchpads support gestures. Using two fingers to tap on a link often acts like a right-click, bringing up the context menu where you can choose “Open link in new tab.”

Some touchpads also support a three-finger tap or other gestures. You can check Chrome settings under the Mouse or Touchpad section to see what options are available for your setup.

Why This Matters for Your Browsing

Being able to open links in new tabs is more than just a convenience. It changes how you can use the web.

When you can keep your place in one article while opening related links, you read more efficiently. You can compare products across different tabs when shopping. You can gather research without losing track of where you started. This is why learning these methods pays off every time you use Chrome.

The keyboard shortcut (Ctrl-click or Command-click) is the fastest once you remember it. The right-click menu gives you choice. Extensions add power. Try a few of these methods and settle on the ones that feel natural for your workflow.

Tips from the team behind Tab Suspender Pro and the Zovo extension suite at zovo.one