Topic: Minimizing Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) is a measure of visual stability. It checks how much your page's content moves around while it's loading. Imagine you are about to click a button. Suddenly, an image loads above it. The button shifts down. You click something else by mistake. That's a layout shift.
CLS is part of Google's Core Web Vitals. It's a direct ranking factor. A high CLS score means a bad user experience. Google wants to show pages that are stable and easy to use. This is a technical SEO trick that focuses on user comfort.
Why CLS is Important for SEO and UX
Minimizing CLS offers clear benefits for both users and your SEO:
- **Better User Experience:** Prevents frustrating jumps and accidental clicks.
- **Higher Engagement:** Users are more likely to stay on a stable page.
- **SEO Ranking:** A good CLS score contributes positively to your Core Web Vitals score. This helps rankings.
- **Trust:** A stable page feels more professional and reliable.
Common Causes of CLS and How to Fix Them
Layout shifts often happen due to these reasons:
- **Images Without Dimensions:** Always set `width` and `height` for images and videos in your HTML. This reserves space before they load.
- **Ads, Embeds, Iframes Without Space:** If ads or embedded content load late without space reserved, they push other content. Make sure to reserve space for them.
- **Dynamically Injected Content:** Content added to the page later (like pop-ups or banners) can cause shifts if not handled well. Design them to appear without moving other elements.
- **Web Fonts Causing FOIT/FOUT:** Fonts loading late can cause text to shift. Use `font-display: optional` or preload fonts to prevent this.
- **Actions Awaiting Network Response:** If a user action triggers content loading that shifts layout, design carefully. For instance, do not load content that pushes visible elements down unless the user has actively clicked.
You can check your CLS score using Google PageSpeed Insights or Google Search Console. Fixing layout shifts improves user happiness and is a key SEO trick for better Core Web Vitals.