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Scroll Depth
Short description
Scroll depth measures how far down a page visitors scroll, usually in milestones such as 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent, and 100 percent. It shows whether users reach critical content like price, reviews, and calls to action. This data helps teams place content where it will be seen.
Why it matters
If key elements are below the average scroll line, many visitors will not see them, which hurts add-to-cart and conversion. Scroll depth reveals layout problems that analytics alone cannot surface. It is especially important on mobile where above-the-fold space is limited. With scroll data, you can position reassurance elements near the fold and repeat CTAs on long pages. Over time, improving visibility of critical content increases engagement and reduces support questions.
How it works
Behavior tools record scroll milestones during page views and report the share of visitors who reach each level. Split the analysis by device because mobile and desktop patterns differ. Compare scroll maps to click maps to ensure important elements are both seen and used. Track changes after redesigns or content additions. For long content, consider sticky CTAs so action remains available as people scroll.
Example in ecommerce
A cosmetics brand discovers that only a third of mobile visitors reach the reviews module. They move rating stars near the price, add a brief summary at the top, and include a sticky add-to-cart button. The share of visitors who see ratings increases, add-to-cart rises, and returns decline as buyers set better expectations. The same pattern helps upgrade other PDPs.
Common mix-ups
Scroll depth is not time on page. Visitors can spend time above the fold without scrolling. Reaching a section does not mean it was understood either, so pair scroll data with engagement and conversion metrics. Do not compare scroll maps from unrelated pages because page length and layout change the scale.
Best practices
- Place key information and CTAs within the most-viewed area on each device.
- Use concise summaries near the top for fast scanning.
- Employ sticky or repeated CTAs on long pages.
- Compare scroll depth before and after major layout changes.
- Combine scroll data with heatmaps and session recordings for context.
Industry benchmarks
- Mobile visitors typically scroll more than desktop visitors, but they scan faster.
- Reviews and social proof placed near price are seen by a larger share of visitors.
- Target a consistent increase in the share of visitors who reach CTAs after layout improvements.
Related terms
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