Skeletons vs. Spinners: Making Your App Feel Faster
Spinners make time feel slower. Skeletons (gray placeholder shapes) make the app feel stable. Use skeletons for initial load. Use Optimistic UI for mutations.
What is Optimistic UI?
Optimistic UI is Updating the UI immediately when a user clicks, BEFORE the server confirms success.
The 3 Core Benefits
Perceived Speed
Checking a database takes 500ms. If you show the content layout immediately (Skeleton), the user thinks the load has started.
Layout Stability
Spinners often cause "Cumulative Layout Shift" (CLS). Elements jump around when data loads. Skeletons reserve the space.
Flow State
Optimistic UI prevents the "micro-breaks" in attention. The user keeps working without waiting for the server.
Loading Strategy
Initial Page Load -> Skeleton
Show a gray rectangle where the text will be. Show a circle where the avatar will be. Mimic the final layout.
Button Click -> Loading State
Disable the button and show a small spinner inside it. Prevent double-clicks.
Data Mutation -> Optimistic
If they add a Todo, append it to the list instantly. If the API fails, show a Toast error and remove it.
Staggering
Don't show 10 skeletons flashing. If data loads in <200ms, show NOTHING. Only show loader if it takes >200ms.
Skeleton Loading
Mesh loads the feed structure first. We reserve space for the "Startup Logo" so the page doesn't jiggle as images load.
Global Spinner vs. Skeleton + Optimistic
| Feature | Global Spinner | Skeleton + Optimistic |
|---|---|---|
| Feedback | Screen blocked | Interactive |
| Feeling | Loading... | Working... |
| Jank | High | Low |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Optimistic UI dangerous?
Only for money. Do NOT optimistically confirm a payment. But for "Liking" a post? Totally fine.
Is there a library?
React Query and SWR handle optimistic updates nicely. For skeletons, simple CSS/Tailwind `animate-pulse` works best.
What about "Progress Bars"?
Fake progress bars (YouTube style top bar) are good for navigation transitions. Avoid them for component loading.
What makes a launch channel high intent?
High-intent channels have users actively searching for solutions, not just browsing a feed.
How many channels should I launch on?
Start with 3-5 strong channels, measure conversions, then expand to 10-12 over time.
How do I avoid launch fatigue?
Stagger your launches and reuse assets so each channel gets a focused push.
What should I measure after launch?
Track qualified signups, backlinks, and demo requests, not just raw traffic.
How does Mesh of Growth fit with other platforms?
Use Mesh for compounding reviews and backlinks while other platforms provide short-term spikes.
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