Problem Statement
How do you optimize font loading in Next.js using next/font to prevent layout shift and improve performance?
Explanation
Use next/font/google for Google Fonts or next/font/local for custom fonts, which automatically optimizes fonts by downloading them at build time and self-hosting to eliminate external requests and improve privacy. The module automatically applies CSS size-adjust to prevent layout shift by reserving space for the font before it loads, uses font-display swap for fast text rendering with system fonts while custom fonts load, and generates optimal font subsets based on the characters used. Implement font loading by importing the font function, calling it with configuration like weight, subsets, and display, and applying the returned className to your elements. Use variable fonts when possible for smaller file sizes and flexibility, preload critical fonts used above the fold, and consider using fallback fonts with matching metrics to minimize layout shift, which next/font handles automatically with the built-in fallback system.