When your page links to another page using target="_blank", the new page runs on the same process as your page. If the new page is executing expensive JavaScript, your page's performance may also suffer. [. . .] On top of this, target="_blank" is also a security vulnerability. The new page has access to your window object via window.opener, and it can navigate your page to a different URL using window.opener.location = newURL.
target="_blank" is a change in default behavior. Links opening within the same page is the default behavior [. . .] it is safe to assume most users are most comfortable with the default behavior.
Removing target="_blank" from all links. Should additionally resolve #18.
Additional reasoning: