I have tried to do this in the past and there is no built-in way to do this in Chrome. There is a Chrome extension called "Open Tabs Next to Current" I think it is called that can do this.

You can set a keyboard shortcut too via the extension for opening a new tab next to the currently active tab. Click the "Keyboard shortcuts" tab. Then, enter a keyboard shortcut in the "Open new tab next to current tab" field.

Hope that helps its the easiest solution I have found

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/open-tabs-next-to-current/gmpnnmonpnnmnhpdldahlekfofigiffh

Answer from Hardware Tech Hub on Stack Exchange
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Open Links in New Tab - Chrome Web Store
Open Links in New Tab simplifies your browsing experience by automatically opening all links in new tabs. No more right-clicking or using keyboard shortcuts; let this extension do the work for you!
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Google Support
support.google.com › chrome › thread › 3520860 › how-do-i-set-chrome-to-open-links-in-a-new-tab-on-the-same-browser-window
how do i set chrome to open links in a new tab on the same browser window? - Google Chrome Community
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How can I make a new link open in the same tab?
I need them to open in the same tab. This worked until I updated to a new Chrome version yesterday, and now every time I click a link it opens a new tab, making 80 new opened tabs. How can I go back to making the links open in the same tab? I know about clicking and dragging the links into ... More on discuss.google.dev
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Google Chrome Opens New Window Instead of Tab
Weird one. We have a user and for some reason on two specific sites, when she logs into her account for the site, it opens a new Chrome window, not tab as it should but completely new and separate window. I can’t find anything on this issue. Weird thing is we operate in a VDI environment. More on community.spiceworks.com
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Automatically open a hyperlink in new tab - Google Chrome Community
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January 8, 2025
Clicking links in Google search results opens them in a new tab
Go to the Google homepage, that pretty much has just a search field bar. Bottom right, settings>search settings>other settings (top left), make sure "Results in New Window" is not enabled (it actually opens in a new tab not window). Make sure any browsers on any other machines you have logged into chrome on are closed. If not it will revert back to opening new tabs after you close chrome and reopen it later. More on reddit.com
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How to Open Links in New Tab on Google Chrome | Browser Tips | SigmaOS
If you prefer using the mouse, you can also right-click on a link to open it in a new tab. Simply right-click on the link and select "Open link in a new tab" from the context menu that appears. Chrome offers several keyboard shortcuts for managing ...
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Open links in a new tab or window | Start.me Help Center
Toggle Open links in new window to off. It will turn grey.​ · Now, every time you click a bookmark, it will open in the same tab.
Find elsewhere
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How can I make a new link open in the same tab? - Looker - Google Developer forums
May 14, 2024 - Part of my job requires that I open about 80 links every morning to make updates in each link. I need them to open in the same tab. This worked until I updated to a new Chrome version yesterday, and now every time I clic…
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Google Support
support.google.com › chrome › thread › 317509153 › automatically-open-a-hyperlink-in-new-tab
Automatically open a hyperlink in new tab - Google Chrome Community
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reddit.com › r/chrome › clicking links in google search results opens them in a new tab
r/chrome on Reddit: Clicking links in Google search results opens them in a new tab
January 30, 2026 -

I noticed this earlier today, it wasn't an issue previously. When I search something on Google and click on a link, it'll open as a new tab, leaving the tab for the search results open. This is happening on 2 different PCs, and I've already checked to make sure a CTRL button isn't stuck or anything.

This seems specific to my account as the problem doesn't occur in incognito. However, I've gone through my settings multiple times and cant for the life of me even find any option for "open links in new tabs". This is contained to just Google search as well, not getting any issues when opening links on websites and such.

Is anyone else having this issue?

EDIT: Since this post still seems to be getting views and comments, I thought I'd write up what fixed it for me here.

u/mammoth_trust4589's comment is what resolved it for me, which I'll break down here:

  1. Go to the Google homepage, the default one that just has the search bar.

  2. At the bottom right, select settings>search settings>other settings (top left), and make sure "Results in New Window" is not enabled.

  3. For me, it was not enabled, but toggling it on and off again resolved it for me.

  4. You may also have to do this on all of your devices logged into the same account, even if you don't have them turned on while doing this (I had to, anyway).

Some people have mentioned the above steps didn't solve it for them though, in which case some have reported disabling extensions fixed it, so might be worth disabling your extensions one by one and trying it out each time to find the one responsible if that's the case. If that STILL doesn't resolve it for you, I unfortunately don't have any other suggestions currently.

This problem doesn't actually seem to be specific to Chrome, as others (and myself) have noticed it on other browsers. It seems to more so be a Google search issue.

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dev.to › vitalets › open-bookmarks-in-a-new-tab-by-default-easier-said-than-done-a3n
Open bookmarks in a new tab by default — easier said than done - DEV Community
May 1, 2025 - So I started digging into the Chrome Extensions API to find a better way. ... Detect when a tab navigates due to a bookmark click. Open that URL in a new tab.
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support.google.com › chrome › answer › 2391819
Manage tabs in Chrome - Computer - Google Chrome Help
At the top of your Google Chrome window, next to the last tab on the right, click New tab . Or, use a keyboard shortcut: ... Click and drag the tab outside the Google Chrome window. ... From your computer's desktop or folder, drag the file into a Google Chrome tab.
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Google Play
play.google.com › store › apps › details
Google Chrome - Apps on Google Play
4 days ago - EDIT: I would love to be able to follow those steps that you sent, however as I stated previously I cannot open links. ... Hey Dawn, sorry you're experiencing issues! Please try the steps here: https://goo.gle/3Cy7GGg, or notify our team by sending us a feedback report: https://goo.gle/2th887u. Thanks! ... Thanks for choosing Chrome!
Rating: 4.1 ​ - ​ 48.4M votes
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Google Chrome - The Fast & Secure Web Browser Built to be Yours
When you set Chrome as your default browser, any link you click will automatically open in Chrome. Find specific instructions for your device here. Chrome uses cutting-edge safety and security features to help you manage your safety. Use Safety Check to instantly audit for compromised passwords, safe browsing status and any available Chrome updates. Learn more about safety and security on Chrome. Download Chrome on your mobile device or tablet and sign into your account for the same browser experience, everywhere.
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Google Support
support.google.com › chrome › thread › 211326882 › how-do-i-force-chrome-to-open-all-links-in-a-new-tab
How do I force Chrome to open all links in a new tab? - Google Chrome Community
April 16, 2023 - Skip to main content · Google Chrome Help · Sign in · Google Help · Help Center · Community · Google Chrome · Terms of Service · Submit feedback · Send feedback on
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