Ask HN: Why can't web browsers block pop-ups?

3 pointstabob5y ago4 comments

4 comments

4 comments · 2 top-level

tabobOP5y ago· 2 in thread

It's been 31 years and web browsers are still utter trash. The developers at Safari, Firefox, Chrome and every other browser should be ashamed for allowing Pop-up and pop-under windows to even exist. It's functionality which needs to go away. If I don't explicitly open a link in a new window, that link should never, ever, EVER open in a new window.

Why is this still acceptable behavior? It has zero benefit to any end user.

psnehanshu5y ago

It's hard to always tell when you should or shouldn't block a pop-up. Many browsers tried to solve this by blocking new windows being automatically opened if a click didn't happen just a little before it.

Necessary use cases of pop-up windows, one is oauth login (sign in with Google/Facebook/Twitter)

tabobOP5y ago

At the absolute very least every single web browser should have the ability to ask:

* if you want to allow the pop-up * if you want to allow a site to open a new window/tab * if you want to allow a site to open a new pop-under window

This really shouldn't require special Greasemonkey scripts, block lists or commercial extensions. 99% of the time the user does not want that pop-up/pop-under/modal dialogue.

I'm starting to think that developers at almost all browsers are bribed by advertisers to allow these dark patterns.

ksaj5y ago

Likewise, does anybody ever click Yes to browser notifications? That seems like it would be so intrusive.

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