Infinite Scroll
Infinite Scroll
A mechanism where new content keeps automatically appearing as you scroll down the screen.
In Simple Terms
Infinite scroll is a mechanism on websites and apps where, as you reach the bottom of the screen, new content automatically keeps loading and appearing right after it. It's commonly used on social media timelines and photo-sharing feeds, among other list-style screens. Instead of tapping a "next page" button, users just keep moving their finger and new content shows up without interruption.
Behind the Name
The name "Infinite Scroll" combines "infinite" (endless) and "scroll" (to move through content on a screen). It's called this because the scrolling never seems to reach an end — new content just keeps coming as you keep scrolling.
Take a Closer Look!
Infinite scroll is a mechanism where, as you slide down through a website or app's screen, new data automatically loads and appears.
Roughly speaking, it feels like the screen just keeps stretching downward forever, without you ever having to tap a button to switch pages.
This mechanism was devised in the early 2000s, and once smartphones became widespread, it turned out to pair perfectly with the finger-scrolling gestures of touchscreens — which is why adoption spread rapidly across many apps and sites.
It's especially common on services like social media, where new posts keep getting added one after another.
Because new content just keeps appearing as you scroll, you can keep browsing smoothly without ever having to stop.
On the other hand, it also means you can never quite reach information placed at the very bottom of the screen, like a contact page or company profile.
It also has a tendency to make people keep looking at the screen for a long time, since the content never really ends.
That's why it's important to choose between paginating content or using infinite scroll, depending on the type of information and the purpose of the site.