ReactJS: infinite scroll using IntersectionObserver

Ukrainian translation

In this guide, we'll be creating an infinite scroll feature in a React app using the IntersectionObserver API, which currently is one of the easiest ways of implementing an adaptive infinite scroll component without any libraries like react-scroll.

Initial Setup

Assuming you already have a React project setup, we will start by creating a new component, let's call it InfiniteScroll.

import React from 'react';

const InfiniteScroll = () => {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Infinite Scroll Component</h1>
    </div>
  );
};

export default InfiniteScroll;

Implementing Infinite Scroll with IntersectionObserver

In the InfiniteScroll component, we need to initialize our IntersectionObserver and attach it to a marker element that will be observed.

Whenever our marker comes into view, our callback will be fired, and we can fetch more data.

import React, { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';

const InfiniteScroll = ({ fetchMoreData }) => {
  const marker = useRef();

  useEffect(() => {
    const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries) => {
      if (entries[0].isIntersecting) {
        fetchMoreData();
      }
    });

    if (marker.current) {
      observer.observe(marker.current);
    }

    return () => observer.disconnect();
  }, []);

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Infinite Scroll Component</h1>
      <div ref={marker}>Loading...</div>
    </div>
  );
};

export default InfiniteScroll;

In the above code, we have added a new div with a ref of marker. This is the element we'll be observing with our IntersectionObserver. When this element comes into the viewport, our callback will fire and call the fetchMoreData function.

The fetchMoreData function should be a function that fetches more data and appends it to your current list of data.

How to solve the repeating data problem?

You may have faced an issue that you keep loading the same page of data each time more data is loaded. This is caused by the fetchMoreData function being locked inside of the expression, which is passed inside IntersectionObserver. This means that this expression uses the version of fetchMoreData which was created on the very first render of the page, and it is not changed afterwards.

To fix this - you need to provide a fresh value of the fetchMoreData function each time it is called. It can easily be reached with using useRef hook.

Modify your code to look similar:

import React, { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';

const InfiniteScroll = ({ fetchMoreData }) => {
  const marker = useRef();
  const fetchMoreDataRef = useRef(fetchMoreData);

  useEffect(() => {
    const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries) => {
      if (entries[0].isIntersecting) {
        fetchMoreDataRef.current();
      }
    });

    if (marker.current) {
      observer.observe(marker.current);
    }

    return () => observer.disconnect();
  }, []);

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Infinite Scroll Component</h1>
      <div ref={marker}>Loading...</div>
    </div>
  );
};

export default InfiniteScroll;

By passing the fetchMoreData into useRef, we made its value to be updated, with the fresh current value all the time. This means that when the IntersectionObserver calls fetchMoreDataRef.current() - it calls the latest value of the function, which triggers loading of the new page of data.

Drawbacks of using an IntersectionObserver for infinite scroll implementation

1. Performance Issues: If not implemented correctly, infinite scrolling can cause performance issues. As more and more content is loaded and added to the DOM, the website can become slow and unresponsive over time. Therefore, it's essential to implement some sort of cleanup or "virtual scrolling" where off-screen elements are removed from the DOM.

2. SEO Challenges: Infinite scroll can be a challenge for SEO. Search engines traditionally crawl websites by following links and may not be able to fully index content that is loaded via infinite scroll. However, this can be mitigated by providing a traditional pagination fallback for search engine crawlers.

3. User Navigation: Infinite scroll can make it difficult for users to reach the footer of your page. If important links or information are located there, users might never see them because new content keeps loading. A potential solution can be to have a static footer or include important links elsewhere.

4. Browser Compatibility: IntersectionObserver is not supported in all browsers, although support is now widespread and includes all modern browsers. However, if you're developing an app that needs to support older browsers, this could be a significant drawback.

Remember, these are potential drawbacks, but many of them can be mitigated with careful planning and good implementation practices. The correct use of the IntersectionObserver API for infinite scroll really depends on your specific application and user needs.

Conclusion

We have explored how to create an infinite scroll feature in a React application using the IntersectionObserver API. By initializing an IntersectionObserver and linking it to a designated marker element, we've seen how we can progressively load more content as the user scrolls, providing a seamless user experience.

We have also addressed a common issue regarding the inadvertent reloading of the same data page by encapsulating our data fetching function (fetchMoreData) within a useRef hook. This solution ensures we always reference the latest iteration of our function, enabling us to load new pages of data consistently.

While the IntersectionObserver API provides an effective and straightforward solution, it's essential to remember that more complex apps may require more sophisticated error handling and optimization. The principles outlined here, however, will lay a solid foundation for creating an efficient and user-friendly infinite scroll feature.

As you implement these strategies in your applications, you'll be well on your way to creating a more immersive, engaging user experience that keeps your audience scrolling for more. Happy coding!

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