What is above the fold?

The part of a webpage that is visible in the web browser window when the page first loads is described as being ‘above-the-fold’.

A more appropriate, medium-specific equivalent to ‘above-the-fold’, is ‘before-the-scroll’: the portion of a webpage that is visible without scrolling.

‘Fold’ is a reference to the area of a newspaper that is visible when folded for display in a news stand. As the fold may be the only portion of the newspaper visible, it typically contains the masthead identifying the newspaper and a key image or heading from the lead story.

The first-fold of a webpage is typically used to display:

branding: identifying who owns the website;

positioning statement: identifying the website content/subject matter;

navigation: typically menus and a search tool that people can use to get around the website; and

advertising.

The concept of a fold was seen as key in the early days of the web, based on the belief that only content placed in this area of the page – usually the first 300 vertical pixels – could be guaranteed “eyeballs”. Over time, people have become more accustomed to scrolling, however the first fold continues to be highly sought-after by advertisers.

Source: Motive Web Design Glossary

Related terms: banner ad, browser chrome, default, pop-up window.