What are Resource Hints?
Resource hints are directives that help the browser decide which resources to load earlier or prepare in advance.
Why Resource Hints Matter
They reduce latency and improve page load speed by optimizing how and when resources are fetched.
Types of Resource Hints
| Hint | Purpose |
|---|---|
| preload | Load critical resources immediately |
| prefetch | Load resources for future navigation |
| preconnect | Establish early connection to server |
| dns-prefetch | Resolve DNS early |
Preload Example
HTMLRead-only
1
Prefetch Example
HTMLRead-only
1
Preconnect Example
HTMLRead-only
1
DNS Prefetch Example
HTMLRead-only
1
Best Practices
- Use preload only for critical resources
- Use prefetch for next-page assets
- Use preconnect for external domains
- Avoid excessive resource hints
Common Mistakes
- Overusing preload causing network congestion
- Using prefetch for critical resources
- Ignoring priority levels
- Not testing performance impact
Conclusion
Resource hints help browsers load resources smarter and faster. When used correctly, they significantly improve performance and user experience.