Interview frequency: …
Short answer
They progressively show the visual structure of the page to suggest that content is being completed and is nearly ready, reducing perceived wait time and preventing sudden layout shifts.
Explanation
Spinners hold the user's attention on one point spinning in place and constantly remind them that they are waiting. Skeleton screens instead show faint gray shapes matching the locations of upcoming headings and cards, with a calm left-to-right Shimmer Animation. They make the app feel responsive and show users where to look once data loads.
Common mistakes
- Designing skeleton screens with dimensions very different from the real cards, causing a sudden layout shift.
- Using Skeleton Screens for very fast operations under 300ms, producing an annoying gray flash.