Lazy loading is a web development technique that delays the loading of non-critical resources—such as images, videos, or JavaScript files—until they are actually needed, typically when a user scrolls near them. This image optimization improves initial page load times, allowing users to quickly access and interact with the visible content at the top of a page.
Lazy loading is particularly beneficial for long or media-heavy pages, as it reduces unnecessary data transfer and resource usage upfront. By improving perceived and actual performance, lazy loading helps lower bounce rates and create a smoother user experience. Additionally, faster load times contribute to better SEO performance, since page speed is a ranking factor for search engines like Google.