Why is a content delivery network (CDN) commonly used?

A content delivery network (CDN) is primarily utilized to improve website load times by hosting content on distributed servers. CDNs operate by caching content in multiple geographical locations, enabling data to be served to users from the closest server to their location. This reduces latency, which is the delay before the transfer of data begins, leading to faster loading times for websites and media.

When a user requests a web page or file, the CDN directs that request to the server that offers the best performance for that particular user, which is typically influenced by proximity and current network conditions. This global distribution of servers not only enhances speed but also reduces the load on the origin server, allowing for smoother operation and scalability.

While enhanced security, reduced hosting costs, and automation of web development processes may be features or benefits associated with web technologies, they are not the primary reasons for employing a CDN. Enhanced security can be a secondary benefit through DDoS mitigation and improved reliability, but the fundamental purpose of a CDN is to significantly enhance content delivery speed and user experience.