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CLS by tab navigations

CLS by tab navigations without noise

Vasil Dachev avatar
Written by Vasil Dachev
Updated over a week ago


What is CLS by tab navigations

CLS by tab navigations shows Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) based on whether users opened a page in the same tab or in a new tab.

This lens helps you detect whether layout stability differs when users start a new browsing context versus continuing in the current tab. It’s especially useful for diagnosing layout regressions tied to session context or JS hydration timing.

Healthy CLS by tab navigations sample

A healthy breakdown shows:

  • Consistent CLS values between same-tab and new-tab visits

  • No disruptive layout shifts in either case

  • A smooth experience regardless of how users choose to browse

This suggests your site’s layout logic and rendering behavior is robust — even across different navigation methods.

Unhealthy CLS by tab navigations sample

In an unhealthy case, New tab navigations might show higher CLS due to:

  • Delayed execution of layout scripts that depend on prior context

  • Missing session data causing placeholder fallback shifts

  • Styles or fonts loading differently on hard loads vs. soft navigations

  • Ads or personalization rendering later without consistent dimensions

This leads to jumpy visuals, especially for users opening content in background tabs or during research behavior — increasing bounce risk.

Resolving unhealthy CLS by tab navigations

Go-to action plan to resolve an unhealthy CLS by tab navigations:

  1. Ask Uxi to analyze your CLS by tab navigations values and suggest improvements

  2. Use Filters to isolate slow tab types and cross-check with session type, device, or layout components.

  3. Simulate CLS of the suspected lens to see if fixing it will resolve the CLS by tab navigations. If yes, this is where the resolution focus should be.

  4. Use an automated CLS optimization tool like Navigation AI to improve your CLS by tab navigations values

  5. Once you’ve improved CLS, set an alert to be the first to know if it starts worsening again.

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