This is considered the most desirable spot for the most important news. It's also the prime location for advertisers.
That's because newspapers are often folded in half -- whether at a newsstand or in a newspaper box. Even if the newspaper is folded and kept together with a rubber band in a customer's driveway or mailbox, the top half of the front page is what is usually seen first.
Newspaper designers put a lot of thought into the content that is above the fold. A catchy headline and a compelling photo are key to grabbing a reader's attention.
Above the fold can be used in website design. In this context, it represents content that can be seen without a user having to scroll down the page.
In web applications, this can be tough. Users' resolution, screen size and device type all determine what is above the fold. A website looks much different on a cell phone that on a desktop monitor.
