Peadig

rel=”external” is now the XHTML valid version that informs search engine spiders that the link is external. However, using this does not open the link in a new window. target=”_blank” and target=”_new” does this, but is not XHTML valid.
This very simple plugin adds a small JS file to your header to let this happen!
<ul>
<li><a href="http://pleer.co.uk/wordpress/plugins/rel-external/" rel="nofollow ugc">rel=”external”</a> plugin homepage.</li>
<li>More <a href="http://pleer.co.uk/wordpress/plugins/" rel="nofollow ugc">WordPress Plugins</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://pleer.co.uk/wordpress/plugins/facebook-comments/" rel="nofollow ugc">Facebook Comments</a> Plugin</li>
<li><a href="http://pleer.co.uk/wordpress/plugins/wp-twitter-feed/" rel="nofollow ugc">Twitter Feed</a> Plugin</li>
<li><a href="http://twitter.com/alexmossSEO" rel="nofollow ugc">Follow @alexmossSEO on Twitter</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://alex-moss.co.uk/" rel="nofollow ugc">Alex Moss</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://pleer.co.uk/" rel="nofollow ugc">Pleer SEO</a>.</li>
</ul>

rel=”external” in a New Window

Opens a new window with rel="external" instead of having to use target="_blank" or target="_new"

Dipak C. Gajjar

WordPress comments are very important for a blog and really makes it possible to interact with users. Comments are why users take more interest in a blog.
But one of the problems with the comments is that all the links (URLs) in the comments open in the same window. This diverts the user’s mind away from the actual post and increases the bounce rate.
This plugin opens all the links added in the comments and author URL, in a new tab or window which helps to decrease the bounce rate and increase user engagement on your blog.
Follow the development of this plugin on <a href="https://github.com/dipakcg/wp-open-comment-links-in-new-window" rel="nofollow ugc">GitHub</a>
P.S. It is always the best policy to open a <a href="https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wp-open-comment-links-in-new-window" rel="ugc">support thread</a> first before posting any negative review.

WP Open Comment Links in New Window

Opens all the links (URLs) added in the comments and author URL, in a new tab or window.

rel=”external” in a New Window vs WP Open Comment Links in New Window