A method for smart preloading of content resources on client devices is provided. The method includes operations for presenting an interface running on a client device that includes a plurality of content indicators associated with a plurality of content items. The method includes an operation for selectively preloading into a cache of the client device a resource associated with a content item if the content item has a level of engagement that is greater than that of other content items. According to this embodiment, the level of engagement is a measurement of interaction to the content items by other users associated with the user by, for example, a social network. The method further includes retrieving and using the resource for presenting the content item via the interface such that the content item is presented in less time than if the resource were not preloaded to the cache based on the level of engagement.