What you need to know

Offset pagination is straightforward for small, stable lists, but large offsets can become expensive and new records may shift results between pages. Cursor pagination can be more stable for feeds and large datasets.

How to apply it

Set a maximum page size, return clear next-page information, and sort by a stable field with a unique tie-breaker. Document what happens when a record is added during browsing.

Common mistake to avoid

Do not allow clients to request an unbounded list. Large responses can slow the database and make the interface harder to use.