Is offset pagination dead? Why cursor pagination is taking over

The reason Facebook says Cursor Pagination is the Way to Go

Photo by Gaspar Uhas on Unsplash

Facebook’s developer page said it best:

“Cursor-based pagination is the most efficient method of paging and should always be used where possible.”

So what exactly is pagination?

Pagination is the process of separating data into sets. Just like the pages of a book.

There are two main ways to implement pagination on a website. But which one is better? Let’s explore both options and see.

Offset Pagination

This method has been used effectively for decades. It leverages a SQL query containing an OFFSET value like this:

SELECT * FROM table 
ORDER BY timestamp 
OFFSET 10
LIMIT 5

It is most often paired with a frontend that uses explicit pages that you toggle through, much like one would flip through the pages of a book.

Cursor Pagination

This method leverages a SQL query containing a comparison operator (i.e. < or >) (usually comparing timestamps) like this:

SELECT * FROM table 
WHERE cursor > timestamp 
ORDER BY timestamp 
LIMIT 5

If you are using any website that deals with real-time data and lots of it (like Facebook, Slack, Twitter, etc.) you are likely seeing cursor pagination in action.

Cursor pagination is the preferred backed method for delivering an infinite scroll on the frontend(think of how when you reach the bottom of your Facebook newsfeed, after a moment, more posts magically appear.)

But just why are so many companies making the move from offset to cursors?

The Benefits of Cursors

1. Superior Real-Time Data Capabilities