Using loading="lazy"with Next.js Image Component

The loading property on the Next.js Image component allows you to control how the browser loads images. When set to lazy, the browser will defer loading the image until it reaches a calculated distance from the viewport, which can improve performance for images that aren't immediately visible.

Here's an example of how to use it:

Key Points About loading="lazy"

• The loading property accepts two values: "lazy" or "eager" 1
• Default value is "lazy" if not specified 1
• When set to "lazy", the browser defers loading the image until it reaches a calculated distance from the viewport 1
• When set to "eager", the image loads immediately regardless of its position 1

This approach is particularly useful for long pages with many images, as it can significantly improve initial page load performance by only loading the images that are visible to the user.

I'll enhance the example with more images and different visuals to better demonstrate lazy loading:

I've enhanced the example with:

1. More diverse images - Added 7 different placeholder images with descriptive text to make them visually distinct

2. Better organization:

   • First section: 2 eagerly loaded images (above the fold)
   • Spacer with instructions to scroll
   • Second section: 3 lazy-loaded images in a grid
   • Another spacer
   • Third section: 2 more lazy-loaded images

3. Visual indicators:

   • Each image has a caption indicating its loading strategy
   • Placeholder text in the images helps identify them
   • Spacers between sections to demonstrate the scrolling effect

4. Responsive design:

   • Grid layout that adapts to different screen sizes
   • Proper spacing and organization

5. Educational content:

   • Added a more detailed explanation of how lazy loading works
   • Highlighted the default behavior of Next.js Image component

When you view this page, the first two images will load immediately, while the others will only load as you scroll down to them. This demonstrates how loading="lazy" can improve performance by deferring the loading of off-screen images until they're needed.