links to new windows and page rank

[pops]

A quick question before I head out:

I haven't seen this questions before but does a link that opens up in a new browser window (target="_blank" or something similar) have the same impact on SERPs as a regular link?

And does the name of the new window make a difference? In other words will naming the new window after one of my keywords help me? Will naming it after the keyword of the site I'm linking to help them?

[dazzlindonna]

1. yes, same impact.
2. yes, it will likely help a little. emphasis on the word little.

[kichus]

1. Yes, for External Links - links which are belongs to other sites - ppl normally use that target="_blank".. so the impact should be same, in Logic.

2. am not sure...

[Robert Paulson]

2. yes, it will likely help a little. emphasis on the word little.

You can name the new window?

[mvandemar]

Yes, you can call it something other than "_blank". However, I'm pretty sure that only "_blank" will insure that each link clicked on will open in a totally new window. If you name them something else, and someone clicks on one link, then goes back to the original window without closing the newly opened window, and clicks on another link, then the new link will open in the browser that is now in the background instead of opening a new window.

-Michael

[longcall911]

but does a link that opens up in a new browser window (target="_blank" or something similar) have the same impact on SERPs as a regular link?

This is an issue that I too have wondered about, but for a very long time. Normally, when I link to another site that is under my control, I link "_top" which of course, is the same window.

My suspicion, gut feeling, best guess is that there may very well be a difference. When I link to the whole page (same window) it may be inferred that I am so strongly recommending the target page that I am willing to lose my visitor to it. (That could also infer a high degree of trust for the target page.)

When I link _blank I am offering a related resource, but I expect my visitor to then close the "temporary" window and stay on my site. In other words, I am not willing to give my visitor up to the target which could infer a weaker recommendation.

I doubt that M$N or Y! would give a window-frame any consideration, but I think that this is exactly the type of thing (measuring inferred relationships and trust) that G might one day add to the algo, albeit in a small way.

/*tom*/