Definition
The term below the fold refers to all web page content that is only visible after scrolling. Historically borrowed from print media (the part below the newspaper fold), this concept is crucial in SEO and UX. Below the fold content can represent 70 to 90% of total page content. SEO best practices include: using lazy loading for BTF images to speed up initial load, structuring content with visible H2/H3 subheadings to encourage scrolling, placing the main SEO content above the fold while enriching BTF with relevant complementary content, and optimizing internal link density in the BTF area. Google crawls and indexes below the fold content, but potentially gives more weight to immediately visible content. Excessive above-the-fold ads pushing useful content below the fold are penalized by the Google Page Layout Algorithm.
Key Points
- Refers to content visible only after scrolling
- Use lazy loading for BTF resources
- Google indexes BTF content but potentially prioritizes ATF content
Practical Examples
Lazy loading BTF
An e-commerce site applies lazy loading to all product images below the fold, reducing initial load time from 4.2s to 1.8s while retaining complete SEO content.
Enriched BTF content
A service page places its main pitch above the fold and adds FAQ sections, client testimonials, and internal linking below the fold, enriching semantic relevance without overloading the first screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Google crawls and indexes the entire page content, including below the fold. However, some studies suggest that immediately visible content may receive slightly more weight in ranking.
It is good practice to place main keywords and the most important content above the fold for UX and potentially SEO, while enriching the below the fold area with semantically relevant content.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07