An early image request is reused after interaction while an unused hint wastes a second request.

Preload gives crucial assets a head start

A preload announces a resource before its normal consumer discovers it. This can help when a needed image is created by JavaScript or a font is discovered only after loading and parsing a stylesheet. The benefit is an earlier opportunity to fetch. It does not follow that every hinted asset becomes the browser’s highest priority or that every page becomes faster. ...

October 6, 2026 · 5 min · XB Field Notes