can’t exclude external links

Your settings seem ok so it should work as you describe. Can you try clearing any cache plugins you have enabled?

If that still doesn’t help please copy/paste the technical data from the support tab.

I don’t have any caching plugins.

TECH DATA

WP url:  https://zaal-beaufort.nl/majordomo
WP version:  5.7.1
PHP version:  7.4.6
Active Plugins:
 - Backup & Restore Manager, version: 1.0.3
 - Elementor, version: 3.2.2
 - Elementor Pro, version: 3.2.1
 - GA Google Analytics, version: 20210211
 - Obfuscate Email, version: 3.8.1
 - Ocean Cookie Notice, version: 1.0.5
 - Ocean Elementor Widgets, version: 1.3.0
 - Ocean Extra, version: 1.7.5
 - Ocean Social Sharing, version: 1.1.1
 - Ocean Sticky Header, version: 1.2.0
 - PublishPress Blocks, version: 2.6.2
 - Really Simple SSL, version: 4.0.14
 - Smush, version: 3.8.4
 - Wordfence Security, version: 7.5.2
 - WP External Links, version: 2.48
 - WPS Hide Login, version: 1.8.5
 - Yoast SEO, version: 16.2

WPEL Settings:
array(
'wpel-external-link-settings' => array (
  'apply_settings' => '1',
  'target' => '_blank',
  'target_overwrite' => '',
  'rel_follow' => '',
  'rel_follow_overwrite' => '',
  'rel_noopener' => '1',
  'rel_noreferrer' => '1',
  'rel_external' => '1',
  'rel_sponsored' => '',
  'rel_ugc' => '',
  'title' => '{title}',
  'class' => '',
  'icon_type' => '',
  'icon_image' => '1',
  'icon_dashicon' => 'dashicons-menu',
  'icon_fontawesome' => 'fa-address-book',
  'icon_position' => 'right',
  'no_icon_for_img' => '1',
),
'wpel-internal-link-settings' => array (
  'apply_settings' => '',
  'target' => '_self',
  'target_overwrite' => '',
  'rel_follow' => '',
  'rel_follow_overwrite' => '',
  'rel_noopener' => '',
  'rel_noreferrer' => '',
  'title' => '{title}',
  'class' => '',
  'icon_type' => '',
  'icon_image' => '1',
  'icon_dashicon' => 'dashicons-menu',
  'icon_fontawesome' => 'fa-address-book',
  'icon_position' => 'right',
  'no_icon_for_img' => '1',
),
'wpel-exceptions-settings' => array (
  'apply_all' => '1',
  'apply_post_content' => '1',
  'apply_comments' => '1',
  'apply_widgets' => '1',
  'skip_post_ids' => '',
  'ignore_classes' => '',
  'subdomains_as_internal_links' => '',
  'include_urls' => '',
  'exclude_urls' => 'beauforthuis.nl,cafe-beaufort.nl,podium-beaufort.nl',
  'excludes_as_internal_links' => '1',
  'ignore_script_tags' => '1',
  'ignore_mailto_links' => '1',
),
'wpel-admin-settings' => array (
  'own_admin_menu' => '1',
),
);

Thank you for your support.
Frank

I just discovered the failing links were hard coded target="_blank" by the developer.
After removing this code all works fine.
Frank