Many have asked whether or not Google Adsense can be configured to open links in a new window. Google’s Adsense Program Policies forbid site owners from modifying Adsense javascript code to achieve that:

AdSense participants are not allowed to alter any portion of the code or change the behavior, targeting, or delivery of ads. For instance, clicks on Google ads may not result in a new browser window being launched.

The ability to open Adsense ads in a new window can be useful and legitimate: Consider internet spades sites (shameless plug) like mine. If Pogo’s ads opened in the same window, players would lose their place in the game when they click on advertisements.

With the release of Google AdManager in 2008, Google indirectly gave Adsense customers the ability to force Adsense ads to open in a popup window. AdManager allows site owners to sell, schedule, and manage advertisements on their own site. Site owners can include advertising they created themselves, such as promotions and new site content, in addition to ads from external advertisers. Google AdManager links with your Adsense account; site owners can configure AdManager to place Adsense in any ad slot that isn’t occupied by other AdManager ads.

Critically, AdManager allows site owners to specify whether their ads open in the same window or a popup window.

The trick: If you have no other ads configured, AdManager will simply display Adsense ads.

Thus, to create Adsense ads that open in a popup window, create your slots through Google’s AdManager instead. As you create each slot, set the “Target Window” option to _blank.

Since Google offers this as a fundamental feature of AdManager and Adsense, it should be perfectly safe to follow this technique in compliance with Google’s policies.