The Disruptive Jump
By default, when you middle-click a link in Google Chrome, or hold the Ctrl/Cmd key while clicking, the link opens in a new tab quietly in the background, allowing you to continue reading the current page. However, many websites employ aggressive JavaScript techniques, or poorly coded HTML target attributes (like target="_blank"), that force the browser to not only open a new tab but also violently steal your focus and immediately switch your view to that new tab. This completely interrupts your reading flow.
How to Force Tabs to Open in the Background
Google Chrome does not have a native, built-in settings toggle to strictly force all new tabs to open in the background without stealing focus. The browser respects the code of the website you are visiting over your personal preferences. To override the website’s code, you must install a browser extension.
1. Open the Google Chrome Web Store.
2. Search for an extension named Open Tabs in Background (or a similarly highly-rated alternative like “Background Tabs”).
3. Click Add to Chrome to install the extension.
4. Once installed, locate the extension’s icon in your top right toolbar (you may need to click the puzzle piece icon to pin it).
5. Right-click the extension icon and select Options.
6. Ensure the primary setting is toggled to force all links opened via left-click (that naturally try to open a new tab) to remain in the background.
With an extension like this active, whenever you click a link that would normally hijack your screen, the new tab will silently appear at the top of your browser window, but your current view will not change until you manually click over to it.
How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Maintain Control
If you prefer not to use third-party extensions, you can train yourself to use specific keyboard shortcuts that bypass the default behavior of most links.
If you see a link that you suspect will try to steal your focus:
Instead of left-clicking it, use the middle-click button on your mouse (pressing down on the scroll wheel). This sends a hardcoded command to Chrome to open the link in a background tab.
If you don’t have a middle mouse button, hold down the Ctrl key (on Windows) or the Command key (on Mac) while you left-click the link.