SEO Glossary: Above the Fold

What does Above the Fold mean?

The term "above the fold" was used even before the internet. When newspapers were printed on paper in a print shop, they were folded in the middle. The crease line in the middle represents the "fold". Above the fold therefore means "above the crease line".

 

Journalists therefore endeavored to place particularly important content and attention-grabbing headlines above the fold.

 

The design of websites is similar. When users open a website, they immediately see the top section. This content is called Above The Fold. Depending on the end device and screen resolution, this area and the associated content will be different.

 

What is the significance of the Above the Fold area?

It is still the case that content above the fold attracts 80% of a user's attention. So if website operators want to attract attention, they should use targeted content in this area.
The aim is to arouse the greatest possible interest. This means that not too much superfluous information should be placed in Above The Fold.

 

Rather, for example, the benefits of the website that a user receives should be listed here.

 

Depending on the type of content, it has become a real challenge to place certain content in a targeted manner. Because, as we know, this can be quite diverse.

 

How is the right design created for different end devices?

Nowadays, users not only surf the internet on computers, but also on smartphones and tablets. The content is displayed in responsive design, meaning it always adapts to the screen size. Accordingly, the fold line is always arranged differently so that viewers see certain content in a different position.

 

Possible factors:

 

• Screen resolution
• Screen size
• The user has enlarged the display of the page
• The user uses additional toolbars and add-ons

 

As you can see, there is no exact formula or guideline as to where content is optimally positioned. However, website operators should ensure that the most important content is displayed above the fold wherever possible in order to attract the greatest possible attention.

 

Also GOOGLE ANALYTICS can also help you find out more about your visitors. A look at the "Browser and operating system" sub-category offers the "Screen resolution" option, among others. This point serves as a rough guide to how content can be arranged.

 

It is also helpful to view your own website in different resolutions. Useful add-ons such as the Window Resizer help you to view your website in any resolution.