What Is a CDN (Content Delivery Network)?
A CDN is a geographically distributed network of servers that cache and deliver content from a location physically closer to each user, reducing latency comp...
Published October 7, 2026
A CDN is a geographically distributed network of servers that cache and deliver content from a location physically closer to each user, reducing latency compared to serving everything from one origin server.
Why it exists
- Without a CDN, every user worldwide fetches content from the same origin server, meaning distant users experience higher latency
- A CDN caches static assets (images, CSS, JS, and sometimes full pages) at edge locations near users around the world
How to apply it
- Use a CDN for static assets and content that doesn't change per-request, since caching benefits are highest there
- Configure appropriate cache headers (like Cache-Control) so the CDN knows how long it can safely serve cached content before re-checking the origin
FAQ
Does a CDN help with dynamic, personalized content?
Less directly — dynamic content that differs per user generally can't be cached and served from the edge the same way, though some CDNs offer edge computing features to help with this too.