Pagination and infinite scroll
Pagination and infinite scroll are two approaches to managing large sets of content or data. Pagination divides content into discrete pages that users can navigate through, while infinite scroll continuously loads more content as the user scrolls down the page. Both patterns aim to reduce cognitive load by presenting manageable amounts of information at a time.
Benefits and Use Cases
Manages large datasets. Both patterns allow users to browse through large amounts of content without being overwhelmed by information overload.
Example
In Cluster, use pagination for search results when users are looking for specific content across multiple projects.
Improves performance. By loading only a subset of content at a time, both patterns can significantly improve page load times and reduce server load.
Example
Implement infinite scroll in Cluster's content feed, loading new items as the user scrolls, improving performance for users with large content collections.
Provides clear navigation (Pagination). Pagination offers users a sense of where they are within a large set of content and how much more is available.
Example
In Cluster's analytics dashboard, use pagination for historical data reports, showing users which time period they're viewing and how many more periods are available.
Supports continuous browsing (Infinite Scroll). Infinite scroll allows for a more seamless browsing experience, which can be beneficial for exploratory tasks.
Example
Use infinite scroll in Cluster's content discovery feed, allowing users to continuously browse through recommended content items.
Psychological Principles Supported
Chunking. Both patterns break large amounts of information into smaller, more manageable chunks, reducing cognitive load.
Example
In Cluster's content library, use pagination to break long lists of articles into groups of 10-20, making it easier for users to process and remember what they've seen.
Progressive Disclosure. These patterns reveal information gradually, preventing users from feeling overwhelmed by too much content at once.
Example
Implement infinite scroll in Cluster's team activity feed, progressively loading older activities as the user scrolls, rather than displaying all activities at once.
Sense of Progress (Pagination). Numbered pages give users a sense of progress as they move through content, supporting the Goal-Gradient Effect.
Example
In Cluster's onboarding tutorial, use numbered pagination to show users their progress through the guide, motivating them to complete it.
Implementation Guidelines
DON'T
Use pagination for content that's meant to be consumed in its entirety, like articles
Implement infinite scroll without providing a way to easily return to a specific point
Forget to maintain the user's position when they navigate back to a paginated or infinitely scrolled list
Use infinite scroll for goal-oriented tasks where users need to reach a specific item or the end of the list
Neglect to provide context about the content in each page or scroll load
DO
Clearly indicate the current position and total amount of content for pagination
Provide easy navigation to the next, previous, first, and last pages in pagination
Implement clear visual cues for infinite scroll (e.g., loading indicators)
Optimize the number of items loaded per page or scroll based on content type and user needs
Consider offering a "View All" option for pagination when appropriate