Above the Fold

The portion of a webpage visible without scrolling, typically the most critical for engaging users.

This term is often used when talking about landing pages.

The term originates from print journalism and dates back to the early 1900s, where newspapers were folded in half for display, making the top half the most valuable real estate for headlines and lead stories.

Why It Matters in Web Design:

• First Impressions: Studies show that users form an opinion about a website within 50 milliseconds. The content above the fold must be engaging to encourage further interaction.
• User Behavior: While scrolling is now common, 80% of users' attention is still focused above the fold.
• Conversion Rates: Key calls-to-action (CTAs) placed above the fold often lead to higher engagement.