Resource Hints Decoded: Why Preload, Prefetch, and Preconnect Aren't Interchangeable

Preload, prefetch, and preconnect look similar but serve fundamentally different purposes in browser resource loading. Many developers incorrectly use them interchangeably, which can actually harm performance—for example, preloading future-page assets at high priority competes with critical resources on the current page. Mastering these hints is crucial for developers aiming to optimize web performance effectively.