# Writing by Pradhumn Gautam

## How Social Media Feeds Load: Understanding Instagram-Style Feed Architecture

Published: 2026-09-29 · 12 min read

From a simple SQL query to hybrid fan-out, Redis caching, ranking, and hydration. A step-by-step look at the tradeoffs behind a personalized feed.

Original publication: [Hashnode](https://pradhumngautam.hashnode.dev/how-social-media-feeds-load-understanding-instagram-style-feed-architecture)

Topics: System design, Redis, Feed architecture