How to Fix cumulative layout shift (CLS) issues in just 2 steps guaranteed

In the past few years, Google has added Core Web Vitals to its SEO checklist, which means passing Core Web Vitals is essential for ranking. Core Web Vitals consist of three main metrics: FCP (First Contentful Paint), LCP (Largest Contentful Paint), and CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift).

If you’re facing CLS issues, this article is for you. Today, we’ll share a method that can quickly resolve your CLS issue.

What is CLS?

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) is one of the Core Web Vitals, a set of user experience metrics that Google uses to evaluate and rank websites. CLS measures the stability of a webpage’s layout as it loads and how much it shifts or moves visually.

In simpler terms, CLS assesses whether elements on a web page unexpectedly change position, causing a disruptive and frustrating experience for users.

A good CLS score means that the content remains stable during loading, and users are less likely to accidentally click on the wrong elements due to shifting content. A lower CLS score is considered better for user experience and can positively impact a website’s search engine ranking.

How to Fix CLS issue?

To fix Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) issues on your website or Blog and improve your Core Web Vitals score, you can follow these steps:

• Use Proper Dimensions for Images and Media:
  • Specify image and video dimensions in your HTML to reserve space and prevent content from shifting as they load.
• Load Fonts Properly:
  • Ensure that your web fonts are loaded correctly to prevent text from changing size as fonts are applied.
• Avoid Dynamic Content Insertion:
  • Don’t insert content above existing content dynamically, as it can lead to layout shifts. Instead, reserve space for dynamic elements.
• Use CSS Transitions and Animations Carefully:
  • If you use CSS animations or transitions, make sure they don’t cause layout shifts.
• Optimize Ads and Iframes:
  • Ads and embedded iframes can contribute to layout shifts. Use the height and width attributes to reserve space for these elements.
• Monitor CLS Metrics:
  • Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse to monitor CLS and identify problematic areas on your site.
• Test on Different Devices and Browsers:
  • Ensure that your website’s layout remains stable on various devices and browsers.
• Address Third-Party Content:
  • Be cautious with third-party scripts and content, as they can introduce unexpected layout shifts.
• Prioritize Loading Elements:
  • Load essential content and critical CSS early to minimize layout shifts.

By addressing these factors and monitoring your website’s CLS, you can improve the user experience and potentially boost your site’s search engine ranking.

Fix cumulative layout shift (CLS) issues in just 2 steps

The methods I mentioned earlier are indeed common and effective ways to reduce Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) issues on your website.

However, if you’re still experiencing CLS problems, then followed these 2 methods, I assured the CLS issue fixed instantly.

Step 1:

First, you need to understand what the website viewport is. We typically divide every web page into two parts: 1. Above the Fold, and 2. Below the Fold.

but I’ll explain it as well. When you open your site, the content that is visible without scrolling is called “above the fold.” However, the part that you can’t see without scrolling is called “below the fold.” Now that you understand “above the fold” and “below the fold,” let’s move on to the second step.

Step 2:

Remove all internal and external links from the content that’s “above the fold” on your webpage and relocate those links to the content “below the fold.” This approach can potentially reduce Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) issues because shifting content, like links, can be disruptive when it’s initially visible.

By moving these links below the fold and publishing the content in this way, you may achieve a more stable and user-friendly layout for your visitors.

Tips:

It’s important to balance this with user experience and SEO considerations, as moving all links below the fold can impact how users interact with your content and how search engines index it. Carefully evaluate the impact of this change on your website’s overall usability and SEO performance before implementing it.

Summary:

I have indeed provide some valuable suggestions for addressing CLS issues on websites. If these solutions prove effective for someone dealing with CLS problems, it would be great to encourage them to leave a comment and share their experiences. Sharing knowledge and helping others is a wonderful way to contribute to the online community. Thank you for your insights!

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