I have this URL:
<a rel="external nofollow" href="http://prf.hn/click/camref:1101l337I/creativeref:1101l14808/destination:https://www.wehkamp.nl/Winkelen/KenmerkAdviseurArtikel.aspx?CC=C50&SC=IUB&KAC=C76&artikelNummer=766344&MaatCode=0000&BC=PHGBaby_766344&utm_campaign=affiliates_productfeed_Fiets_Baby&dfw_tracker=22685-86766344" onclick="goog_report_conversion ('http://prf.hn/click/camref:1101l337I/creativeref:1101l14808/destination:https://www.wehkamp.nl/Winkelen/KenmerkAdviseurArtikel.aspx?CC=C50&SC=IUB&KAC=C76&artikelNummer=766344&MaatCode=0000&BC=PHGBaby_766344&utm_campaign=affiliates_productfeed_Fiets_Baby&dfw_tracker=22685-86766344');productclick(3374956,'85-86766344');return true;" target="_blank" class="btn-primary-green" style="font-size:14px;">Shop now <i class="fa fa-chevron-right"></i></a>
When I click this link, it opens in a new tab, but at the same time also opens in the existing tab.
When I remove the onclick attribute, like below, it worked correctly:
<a rel="external nofollow" href="http://prf.hn/click/camref:1101l337I/creativeref:1101l14808/destination:https://www.wehkamp.nl/Winkelen/KenmerkAdviseurArtikel.aspx?CC=C50&SC=IUB&KAC=C76&artikelNummer=766344&MaatCode=0000&BC=PHGBaby_766344&utm_campaign=affiliates_productfeed_Fiets_Baby&dfw_tracker=22685-86766344" target="_blank" class="btn-primary-green" style="font-size:14px;">Shop now <i class="fa fa-chevron-right"></i></a>
I tried removing the productclick function in the onclick event, the problem persists. But when I remove the goog_report_conversion and keep the productclick function in the onclick, the problem is gone. It seems the problem really is related to the goog_report_conversion call. I get no errors in the console or network tab.
I also tried removing the onclick event altogether and run the onclick code in a jQuery onclick event, but even then the link opens in the same tab AND a new tab.
How can I make sure the link does not also open in the current tab?
The reason why the issue is happening is because the goog_report_conversion calls the target url once we click the link
goog_report_conversion = function(url) {
goog_snippet_vars();
window.google_conversion_format = "3";
var opt = new Object();
opt.onload_callback = function() {
if (typeof(url) != 'undefined') {
window.location = url; // <--- this will load the url to be tracked again after the click
}
}
Reference: https://support.google.com/adwords/answer/6331304?hl=en
It was designed like that so the links can be tracked. Once you move to a new window it's not possible to track that link.
So the issue can't be resolved just by some hack. If you change the goog_report_conversion code then your calls won't be tracked.
What you need to do is use Google Tag manager which will track the events.
Update: Found a link which describes the same