What Is rel=noopener noreferrer? A Simple Explanation
rel="noopener noreferrer" are two security attributes on HTML links. They prevent browser exploits and have nothing to do with SEO. Below is what each one does and how they differ from nofollow.
What does rel="noopener" do?
When you open a link with target="_blank", the new page gets access to the original page via window.opener. This means the new page could redirect your original tab to a phishing page without the user noticing.
rel="noopener" blocks this by setting window.opener to null.
The code
<!-- Vulnerable: new page can access window.opener -->
<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank">Visit</a>
<!-- Safe: window.opener is null -->
<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit</a>Modern browsers (Chrome 88+, Firefox 79+, Safari 12.1+) now implicitly add noopener to all target="_blank" links. Adding it explicitly ensures older browsers are covered too. See the MDN documentation on noopener for the full specification.
What does rel="noreferrer" do?
rel="noreferrer" prevents the browser from sending the Referer header when the user clicks the link. The destination site won't know the click came from your page.
In modern browsers, noreferrer also implies noopener, so it covers both functions.
The code
<!-- Destination sees your URL in their referrer logs -->
<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit</a>
<!-- Destination sees no referrer + window.opener is null -->
<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Visit</a>
<!-- Explicit about both (most common pattern) -->
<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Visit</a>All rel attributes compared
| Attribute | What it does | Affects SEO? | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| noopener | Blocks window.opener access | No | Security for target="_blank" links |
| noreferrer | Hides referrer header + implies noopener | No | Privacy + security |
| nofollow | Signals not to pass link equity | Yes (hint) | Untrusted, paid, or UGC links |
| sponsored | Marks paid/advertising links | Yes (hint) | Affiliate and ad links |
| ugc | Marks user-generated content links | Yes (hint) | Comments, forums, wiki edits |
What security vulnerability does rel="noopener" prevent?
Correct! Without noopener, a page opened via target="_blank" can use window.opener.location to redirect your original tab, potentially to a phishing page.
noopener specifically prevents the new page from accessing window.opener. Without it, the linked page could redirect your original tab to a malicious URL without the user noticing.
Do noopener and noreferrer affect SEO?
No. Google has confirmed that noopener and noreferrer have zero effect on how links pass link equity (PageRank). They are browser-level security attributes, not search engine directives.
The only rel attributes that affect SEO are:
- nofollow, hints to Google not to pass equity
- sponsored, marks paid links
- ugc, marks user-generated links
You can safely combine them: rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" is valid when you need both security and SEO control.
When should you use them?
| Scenario | Recommended rel attribute |
|---|---|
External link with target="_blank" | rel="noopener noreferrer" |
External link without target="_blank" | None needed (no window.opener risk) |
Internal link with target="_blank" | rel="noopener" (you trust your own site) |
| Paid or affiliate link | rel="noopener noreferrer sponsored" |
| Link in user-generated content | rel="noopener noreferrer ugc" |
Why WordPress and CMSs add it automatically
WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and most CMSs automatically add rel="noopener noreferrer" to links with target="_blank". This is a security best practice, not an SEO decision. If you see it on your links, don't remove it.
Which rel attribute tells Google not to pass link equity?
Right! nofollow is the SEO-related attribute. noopener and noreferrer are purely for security and privacy and have no effect on search rankings.
nofollow is the attribute that affects SEO. It tells Google not to pass link equity. noopener and noreferrer are security/privacy attributes with no search engine impact.
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Does rel=noopener noreferrer affect SEO?
No. Neither attribute affects how search engines treat links. Google has confirmed they don't impact PageRank or link equity. They are browser-level security and privacy attributes only.
What is the difference between noopener and noreferrer?
noopener blocks window.opener access, preventing a linked page from controlling your original tab. noreferrer hides the Referer header so the destination doesn't know where the click came from. In modern browsers, noreferrer also implies noopener.
Should I add rel=noopener noreferrer to all external links?
Only links with target="_blank" need it. Modern browsers handle this automatically, but adding it explicitly ensures older browser compatibility. Links that open in the same tab don't have the window.opener vulnerability.
Is rel=noopener the same as rel=nofollow?
No, they serve completely different purposes. noopener is a security attribute that blocks window.opener. nofollow is an SEO attribute that tells search engines not to pass link equity. You can use both on the same link: rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow".