# Which links AjaxPress handles

> Which links load over ajax, which are left to the browser, and why.

Source: https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/which-links-ajaxpress-handles/

Most links on your site load over ajax with no setup. A few are deliberately left to the browser, because loading them any other way would break them. This page lists them. For forms, see [Forms](https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/forms/).

## Links left to the browser

| Link | What happens |
| --- | --- |
| Another website (a different domain or subdomain) | Normal page load |
| `target="_blank"` (or a site-wide `<base target>`) | Opens in a new tab, as intended |
| Ctrl, Cmd, Shift or Alt held while clicking, or a middle click | The browser's usual new tab, new window or download |
| A `download` attribute | Downloads |
| `mailto:`, `tel:`, `sms:` and `javascript:` links | Handled by the browser or device |
| `#section` anchors on the same page | Scrolls, no navigation |
| Anything under `/wp-admin`, `/wp-json` or `/wp-content` (uploaded files such as PDFs) | Normal page load |
| A page builder editor or Customizer link | Normal page load |
| Anything matching your [Exclude Links](https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/exclude-links/) patterns | Normal page load |

`https://www.example.com` and `https://example.com` count as different sites. If your links mix the two, the other one loads normally. Pick one address in **Settings → General** and stick to it.

## Links that act as buttons

Themes often build controls out of links: a mini cart icon, an off-canvas menu toggle, a mega menu trigger, a search overlay, a quick-view button. They have an `href`, but their job is to open a panel.

AjaxPress lets these work. If any script on the page handles the click itself (by calling `preventDefault()`), AjaxPress stays out of it and the panel opens as designed. If you see a panel open and the page then navigate away anyway, update AjaxPress: this was fixed in 2.4.2.

## Links to your own pages that should load normally

Some pages need a real page load: a page whose plugin only works on a fresh load, or a members area that switches the visitor's session. Add them to [Exclude Links](https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/exclude-links/).

## A link reloads when it shouldn't

See [A link reloads the whole page](https://arraystory.com/docs/ajaxpress/link-reloads-the-whole-page/) for a step-by-step check.