Above the fold refers to the content that is visible to a user immediately upon landing on a webpage, without the need to scroll. This term comes from the early days of newspaper printing, where the most important news was placed on the upper half of the front page—above the fold—so it was visible when the paper was displayed.
In web design and SEO, “above the fold” content is crucial because it’s the first thing visitors see when they arrive at a website. It influences their first impression and plays a significant role in user engagement, bounce rates, and conversions. High-priority elements like headlines, CTAs (calls to action), and key visuals are typically placed in this area to capture attention quickly.
Factors that impact what appears above the fold include:
- Screen size: The “fold” varies depending on the user’s device, as smartphones, tablets, and desktops have different screen dimensions.
- Browser and resolution: Different browser settings and screen resolutions can affect how much of the page is visible.
For SEO and user experience, ensuring that important information is easily accessible above the fold can help reduce bounce rates and increase engagement.