Table of contents
What is Above the Fold?
Above the fold refers to the part of a webpage that is visible without scrolling.
It is also known as the “first view.”
“Fold” means “crease,” so “above the fold” literally means “above the crease.”
Ideal Above the Fold
From both an SEO and usability perspective, it’s important to optimize the Above the Fold area.
This area is where users first judge what a website is about when they load the page, and it’s said that users decide whether to stay or leave within three seconds of viewing it.
Therefore, it is essential to include important elements in the Above the Fold area, such as major headings like the h1 tag, links to key subpages, and navigation elements.
Relation to the Page Layout Algorithm
In January 2012, Google introduced the “Page Layout Algorithm” as part of an update to its search engine algorithms.
The Page Layout Algorithm affects how search engines evaluate a page if there is insufficient original content in the Above the Fold area.
Specifically, having too many ads in this area can result in a lower evaluation.
To build a website that is well-regarded by both users and search engines, it’s important to include appropriate content in the Above the Fold area.
