Level: Intermediate
Lazy loading defers loading of off-screen content until a visitor actually scrolls near it, improving initial load time without removing any content from the page.
It Prioritizes What's Actually Visible First
Loading only the content within or near the initial viewport first means visitors see something useful faster, with additional content loading as needed.
Apply It Thoughtfully to Avoid New Problems
Lazy loading applied carelessly can introduce its own issues, like visible pop-in effects or layout shift as content loads in while scrolling.
Reserve Space for Lazy-Loaded Content in Advance
Defining the expected dimensions of content before it loads prevents the layout shift that would otherwise occur once lazy-loaded content actually appears.
Next step: Use the Page Size Checker to check your current page weight to identify how much of it could reasonably be deferred through lazy loading.