Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) is a critical metric that measures the visual stability of a webpage during its loading phase. It is calculated by multiplying the impact fraction (proportion of the viewport affected) by the distance fraction (amount of movement in pixels).

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) refers to the unexpected shifting of webpage elements during loading, causing a disruptive user experience. Optimizing CLS scores enhances user satisfaction, reduces bounce rates, and improves engagement.

A lower CLS score indicates better visual stability. For detailed information on CLS measurement, refer to the official documentation provided by Google Developers: Measuring Layout Stability: Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS).

To optimize CLS scores while leveraging the benefits of LimeSpot recommendation boxes, it is crucial to strategically place them without negatively impacting the user experience. Adding LimeSpot boxes can lead to content shifting, which may negatively impact the CLS score. Therefore, it's important to implement them thoughtfully, considering factors such as content stability, preloading/asynchronous loading, and dynamic box sizing.

By evaluating and adjusting the surrounding elements, loading recommendation content in the background, and allocating a static or predictable space for the boxes, you can minimize layout instability and maintain a more stable CLS score. This ensures a seamless integration of LimeSpot recommendations while enhancing both performance and user satisfaction. In this support article, we will discuss best practices for placing LimeSpot recommendation boxes to minimize layout shifts and improve CLS scores.

While the exact improvement in CLS scores will vary, implementing these best practices can lead to a significant enhancement.

**Note**

LimeSpot's best practices help website owners minimize layout shifts, ensuring that elements on their pages remain stable and provide an excellent user experience. By following LimeSpot's recommendations, website owners can improve their CLS scores, leading to higher user satisfaction and potentially improved search engine rankings.

Best Practices for Placing LimeSpot Recommendation Boxes:

Identify Suitable Elements:

For example, if you have a section on your webpage that can be modified, you can make the necessary adjustments to closely align its dimensions and design with the LimeSpot box. By adapting the section to match the LimeSpot box sizing, you create a cohesive visual experience. This allows for a smooth replacement, reducing the likelihood of disruptive layout shifts when integrating the LimeSpot recommendation box. Aligning the section with the LimeSpot box sizing ensures an optimal balance between CLS improvement and user satisfaction.

Strategies for Placement of Recommendations:

When placing LimeSpot recommendation boxes above the fold, it is essential to prioritize visual stability and minimize layout shifts to enhance the user experience. To achieve this, you can use the replace function with a placeholder section to improve Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) scores.

To begin, identify a suitable location above the fold where you intend to place the LimeSpot recommendation box. It should be an area that does not cause significant disruption to the overall layout when the box is loaded. Once you have identified this location, implement the following steps:

Determine a placeholder section: Create an empty section on your webpage that closely matches the dimensions and design of the LimeSpot recommendation box you plan to place. This placeholder section serves as a temporary container for the recommendation box until it fully loads. Ensure that the placeholder section's dimensions align with the final LimeSpot box sizing.

Implement the replace function: Using appropriate coding techniques, apply the replace function to the designated element or section where you want the LimeSpot recommendation box to appear. This function allows for a seamless replacement of the placeholder section with the fully loaded recommendation box. By using the replace function, you minimize the potential for layout shifts and improve the CLS score.

**Note**

"Above the fold" refers to the portion of a web page that is visible to a user without requiring any scrolling. It represents the content that is immediately visible when the page loads.

When using the LimeSpot Designer, select the "replace" option instead of "before" or "after" for placement. This instructs LimeSpot to replace the designated element, including identified empty sections, with the recommendation box, minimizing potential layout shifts.

Step-by-Step Guide in the LimeSpot Designer:

Here's how you can change the placement sibling to "replace" using the LimeSpot Designer:

Access the LimeSpot Designer: Log in to your LimeSpot account and navigate to the LimeSpot Designer.

Select the Recommendation Box: Choose the specific LimeSpot recommendation box that you want to place on your webpage.

Locate the Placement Sibling: In the LimeSpot Designer, find the "Placement" section or a similar setting that allows you to define where the recommendation box will be positioned.

Choose the "Replace" Option within the Placement section’s “Method” drop down. Then click the “target” icon in the “sibling” tab and click on the section or element in the right hand pane to select it as the section or element to replace. If you are satisfied with the selection, click the green check mark. Alternatively if your section or element has a Unique ID or class you can also type it into the sibling tab rather than manually selecting the section or element. This ensures that the LimeSpot recommendation box replaces the designated element, including the identified empty sections, without introducing unnecessary layout shifts.

Preview and Publish: After selecting "replace" as the placement sibling, preview the changes to ensure that the placement is visually aligned as desired. Once you are satisfied with the preview, publish the changes to make them live on your website.

Conclusion:

Optimizing CLS scores while using LimeSpot recommendation boxes requires careful placement to minimize layout shifts and maintain a visually stable webpage. By considering existing elements and even strategically adding empty sections to the webpage layout, you can identify suitable elements for replacement by LimeSpot recommendation boxes. Remember to choose the "replace" option in the LimeSpot Designer to seamlessly integrate the boxes without negatively impacting CLS scores. Proper placement enhances user experience, reduces disruptions, and contributes to improved CLS performance, ultimately leading to higher user engagement and satisfaction.