Performance and optimization · The next page

Infinite scroll vs pagination-style app

Illustrative system design for a the next page app like Infinite scroll vs pagination: 3 topics to read, from requirements to deep dives.

Illustrative design, not Infinite scroll vs pagination’s actual implementation. Arrowbox is not affiliated with Infinite scroll vs pagination’s owner. Disclaimer

Start with Offset vs cursor Sign in to start readingUpdated 2 Oct 2026

Core

Offset and cursor paginationBeginner · 28 min read · Sign in to read
Offset pages are easy to jump between but slip when items are added or removed; an opaque cursor anchored on a stable sort key never repeats or skips, at the cost of jumping to page 37.
How infinite scroll loadsIntermediate · 38 min read · Sign in to read
A sentinel near the end of the list, watched by an IntersectionObserver with a generous margin, asks for the next page; one request at a time, a retry on failure and a clear end state make it robust.
Pages, load more or endless scrollIntermediate · 37 min read · Sign in to read
Endless scroll suits browsing, numbered pages suit searching and comparing, and a load-more button sits between; the choice decides deep links, back-button behaviour, footer access and crawlability.