# Server-Side Rendering vs. Static Site Generation in Next.js

Next.js offers two powerful methods for rendering pages: Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Static Site Generation (SSG). Understanding the differences between these techniques is crucial for optimizing your web applications.

## What is Server-Side Rendering (SSR)?

SSR generates the HTML of a page on each request. This means the server processes the request and sends the fully rendered page to the client.

### Pros of SSR
- Up-to-date content for every request.
- Better for dynamic data.

### Cons of SSR
- Slower response time compared to static pages.
- Increased server load.

## What is Static Site Generation (SSG)?

SSG pre-renders pages at build time. The HTML is generated once and served to all users.

### Pros of SSG
- Fast load times for users.
- Reduced server load since pages are served statically.

### Cons of SSG
- Content is stale until the next build unless revalidation is set up.

## When to Use Each
- **Use SSR** when your pages require fresh data frequently and need to be rendered at request time.
- **Use SSG** for pages where content doesn't change often and can be served as static files.

## Conclusion

Choosing between SSR and SSG in Next.js depends on your specific use case. Assess your content needs and performance requirements to make the best choice for your application.