diff --git a/CHANGELOG-DEV.md b/CHANGELOG-DEV.md
index ff0f21a8a5..8d137be23b 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG-DEV.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG-DEV.md
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ HumHub Changelog
 - Fix #6962: People filter - Hide follower options if Following is disabled in the User module
 - Fix #6961: Fix people dropdown filter without defined keys
 - Fix #6967: Use same order for meta searching that is used for content page searching by default
+- Enh #6968: Meta search: open external links in new window
 
 1.16.0-beta.2 (April 9, 2024)
 -----------------------------
diff --git a/protected/humhub/services/MetaSearchService.php b/protected/humhub/services/MetaSearchService.php
index b30243dbff..3e36d2f795 100644
--- a/protected/humhub/services/MetaSearchService.php
+++ b/protected/humhub/services/MetaSearchService.php
@@ -81,6 +81,31 @@ public function getUrl(): string
         return Url::to($params);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Get a link target depending on URL,
+     * external URLs should be opened in a new window
+     *
+     * @param string|null $url
+     * @return string|null
+     */
+    public function getLinkTarget(?string $url = null): ?string
+    {
+        if ($url === null) {
+            $url = $this->getUrl();
+        }
+
+        if (!is_string($url) || Url::isRelative($url)) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        $url = parse_url($url);
+        if (!isset($url['host']) || $url['host'] !== Yii::$app->request->hostName) {
+            return '_blank';
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Check if a searching has been done
      *
diff --git a/protected/humhub/widgets/views/metaSearchProvider.php b/protected/humhub/widgets/views/metaSearchProvider.php
index 6f3dda6cf2..661ecb56c2 100644
--- a/protected/humhub/widgets/views/metaSearchProvider.php
+++ b/protected/humhub/widgets/views/metaSearchProvider.php
@@ -23,13 +23,17 @@
         <?php if ($provider->getService()->isSearched()) : ?>
             <?php if ($provider->getService()->hasResults()) : ?>
                 <?php foreach ($provider->getService()->getResults() as $record) : ?>
-                    <a href="<?= $record->getUrl() ?>" class="search-provider-record">
+                    <?= Html::beginTag('a', [
+                        'href' => $record->getUrl(),
+                        'class' => 'search-provider-record',
+                        'target' => $provider->getService()->getLinkTarget($record->getUrl()),
+                    ]) ?>
                         <span class="search-provider-record-image"><?= $record->getImage() ?></span>
                         <span class="search-provider-record-text">
                             <span><?= $record->getTitle() ?></span>
                             <span><?= $record->getDescription() ?></span>
                         </span>
-                    </a>
+                    <?= Html::endTag('a') ?>
                 <?php endforeach; ?>
             <?php else : ?>
                 <div class="search-provider-no-results"><?= Yii::t('base', 'No results') ?></div>
@@ -38,6 +42,7 @@
                 <?= Button::defaultType($provider->getAllResultsText())
                     ->link($provider->getService()->getUrl())
                     ->cssClass('search-provider-show-all')
+                    ->options(['target' => $provider->getService()->getLinkTarget()])
                     ->loader(false) ?>
             </div>
         <?php endif; ?>