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If Your Above-the-Fold Doesn’t Hook, You’re Losing Clients

If Your Above-the-Fold Doesn’t Hook, You’re Losing Clients

Here’s What to Do

Redona Dida
February 19, 2025

Let’s play a quick game.

Imagine you’re scrolling through YouTube. What makes you stop and click a video? 🤔

The thumbnail.

Now, think about Instagram. What catches your attention before you even decide to read the caption or swipe through a carousel?

The first image or video in the post.

On a website? It’s what appears at the top of the page before you scroll—the above-the-fold content.

See the pattern? Whether it’s social media, websites, or even emails, the first thing people see determines whether they stay, engage, or scroll away.

Website Example of Above-the-Fold

Heatmap of people scrolling, red means 100% of people have seen the section

Why Above-the-Fold Content Matters Everywhere

We live in a scroll-heavy world, but here’s the catch: people don’t scroll just for fun.

They need a reason.

They need a hook.

They need to know that what’s below is worth their time.

📊 Studies show that users interact with above-the-fold content 84% more than what’s below.

If you don’t grab their attention immediately, they may never see the rest.

It’s why:

✔️ YouTube creators spend hours designing the perfect thumbnail.
✔️ Instagram creators carefully select the first image in a carousel.
✔️ Websites prioritize compelling headlines, visuals, and CTAs at the top of the page.

Because without a strong start, the rest doesn’t matter.

What Should Be Above the Fold?

Whether it’s a website, YouTube video, or Instagram post, the first thing people see should:

✅ Make the purpose clear – What is this about? Why should someone care?
✅ Create curiosity – Tease what’s coming next so users want to scroll.
✅ Be visually compelling – A great image, a bold headline, or a strong design element can make all the difference.
✅ Encourage action – Whether it’s clicking, reading more, or scrolling, there should be a clear next step.

Examples of Strong Above-the-Fold Content

🔹 On Websites

A clear, bold headline that instantly communicates your value. (Ex: “Get More Leads in 7 Days—Here’s How”)
A high-quality, eye-catching image or video.
A strong call-to-action (CTA) button. (Ex: “Start Your Free Trial” or “Shop the Sale”)

Example of a great above the fold website

🔹 On Instagram

A striking image or video that stops the scroll.
A headline overlay (if needed) that teases what’s in the caption. (Ex: “5 Marketing Mistakes You’re Probably Making”)
A caption that hooks the reader in the first line. (Ex: “This simple tweak doubled our engagement overnight…”)

Example of Instagram Post

🔹 On YouTube

A compelling, high-contrast image that tells a story in one glance.
A short, curiosity-driven title. (Ex: “I Tried Waking Up at 5 AM for a Week—Here’s What Happened”)

Example of Youtube Thumbnail

The Fold is Everywhere—Use It to Your Advantage

Whether it’s social media, YouTube, or your website, the first thing people see is your chance to hook them. If it’s weak, they move on. If it’s strong, they stay engaged.

So, next time you post, design, or publish, ask yourself:

👉 Is my above-the-fold content doing its job?

If not, tweak it. Because if you lose them at the start, you lose them for good.

See you next Wednesday, same time!

Love, Redona ❤️