Various embodiments relating to a social cache replacement policy are described. The techniques of the present invention disclosed utilize social network properties to guide a cache replacement policy executed by a social networking platform system. In one embodiment, a method is provided for determining a queue location to cache a data item based on a popularity score computed from social network properties. In one embodiment, a method is provided for computing the popularity score by incorporating a user's social network properties and the user's friends' social network properties. In embodiments, the popularity score may be computed using a plurality of social network properties, which may include social network properties associated with (i) the user, (ii) the consumer(s), and/or (iii) the data item(s). In embodiments, a plurality of popularity scores are maintained in a user-score database, where the plurality of popularity scores are periodically updated using historical data.