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What is above the fold in SEO? It’s a question that has been debated for years, with no definitive answer. Some say that it’s all about what is visible on the screen when the page first loads, while others claim that you need to go beyond the fold to find the most important content. So what is it? And more importantly, what can you do to make sure your website is taking advantage of this elusive area?
What is above the fold?
The term “above the fold” comes from newspaper design, where the most important stories were placed in the upper half of the paper so that they would be visible even when folded in half. This principle was adapted to web design in the early days of the internet, when designers wanted to make sure that users would see the most important content without having to scroll down.
What matters most on the fold?
Since users are more likely to pay attention to content that is above the fold, it’s important to make sure that this area contains the most important information on your website. This includes your headline, value proposition, and any other key messages that you want to communicate to your visitors. You should also make sure that your call-to-action (CTA) is above the fold, as this will encourage users to take action.
How can you make use of the fold?
If you want to make sure your website is taking advantage of the fold, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure that your most important content is above the fold. This includes your headline, value proposition, and any other key messages that you want to communicate to your visitors. You should also make sure that your call-to-action (CTA) is above the fold, as this will encourage users to take action.
Second, use imagery and whitespace to guide users’ eyes to the content you want them to see. Placing an image above the fold can help draw users’ attention to your content, and using whitespace can help to break up the text and make it more readable.
Finally, consider using a “sticky” header or CTA that remains in place as users scroll down the page. This will ensure that your most important content is always visible, even if users do scroll down.
Conclusion
The term “above the fold” comes from newspaper design, where the most important stories were placed in the upper half of the paper so that they would be visible even when folded in half. This principle was adapted to web design in the early days of the internet, when designers wanted to make sure that users would see the most important content without having to scroll down.
While the concept of the fold is still debated, there is no doubt that it’s important to make sure your most important content is above the fold. This includes your headline, value proposition, and any other key messages that you want to communicate to your visitors. You should also make sure that your call-to-action (CTA) is above the fold, as this will encourage users to take action.
There are a few things you can do to make sure your website is taking advantage of the fold. First, make sure that your most important content is above the fold. This includes your headline, value proposition, and any other key messages that you want to communicate to your visitors. You should also make sure that your call-to-action (CTA) is above the fold, as this will encourage users to take action.
Second, use imagery and whitespace to guide users’ eyes to the content you want them to see. Placing an image above the fold can help draw users’ attention to your content, and using whitespace can help to break up the text and make it more readable.
Finally, consider using a “sticky” header or CTA that remains in place as users scroll down the page. This will ensure that your most important content is always visible, even if users do scroll down.
By following these tips, you can make sure that your website is taking advantage of the fold and that your visitors are seeing the most important content.
Jamie Fallon is an SEO expert who lives life to the maximum, redlining every day on a rollercoaster straight to the grave.
In an SEO career of almost ten years, he’s seen it all, he’s done it all, and he’s not impressed: from white text on a white background to today, when you can have robots paint or write for you like some kind of sick science fiction come true.
No matter what life throws at him, Jamie always manages to come out on top. He’s an expert at seeing the silver lining in every cloud and making the best of every situation. His positive attitude and unshakable faith in himself have seen him through tough times. For some people, success goes to their heads; but Jamie never forgets what got him to wherever he thinks he is.
When he’s not busy gaming the system, you can find him writing angry thinkpieces on how Google is ruining everything good about the internet, or hanging out with his wife (pictured).