Observations, Linking Trends

Over the last year or so I've noticed that less and less of the sites I visit force new windows open or popups when I click on offsite links. The new site simply replaces the current site and a nice ordered history is maintained. This is the way it should have always been. Sometimes I get so engrossed by the content of the new site that I forget how I got there or why I'm there. So I'm really appreciative of the ability to click on the little drop down arrow to the right of my browser's back button so at a glance, I can be reminded of why I'm there.

I know the motivation for new windows and popups was to keep people on a site. Granted, it created more confusion than stickyness, but it had a purpose. So what is the motivation for this new style of site design?

Anyway, maybe I'm hallucinating and it's the same as it always was or maybe my browsing tastes of changed and the sites I frequent now are better designed. Come to think of it, I do consume significantly less Internet porn now that I'm 30.