<b>The above-fold lazy-load exception</b>

<b>The above-fold lazy-load exception</b>

What it does: lazy-loads everything EXCEPT the first one or two units, which load eagerly. The mistake is lazy-loading slots already in view.

Setup effort: 1/5 — most managers let you exclude N top slots from lazy.

RPM lift seen: lazy-loading an above-fold ad adds pointless latency and can drop its viewability (it loads after the user's already looked away). Forcing the top units eager recovers +3 to +7% on the highest-CPM slots.

Pros
— Top units fill instantly = best viewability where it matters most
— Below-fold still gets lazy benefits

Cons
— Eager top ads add to initial payload / LCP
— Need to define 'above fold' across breakpoints

Verdict: eager-load the top 1-2 slots, lazy everything else. It's the default that managers ship wrong. Lift: ★★★☆☆ — Risk: ★☆☆☆☆
Best for: every lazy-loading setup. No one should skip checking this.