Jetpack Image Widget: how to open URL in new tab?

Four months after your post on this topic, I just now ran into the same issue. My search led me to https://www.ads-software.com/extend/plugins/open-external-links-in-a-new-window/ I’ve installed this plugin and my Jetpack Image Widget now opens its link in a new window. You can install this directly from the WP dashboard – go to “Plugins” / “Install New,” then enter “Open external links in a new window” in the search box. It should come up as the top result, just click to “install.”

Thanks rwpeck! This is working for me.