diff --git a/app/finders/user_recent_events_finder.rb b/app/finders/user_recent_events_finder.rb
index 96120d9412f0d4ce7e82d0d4950b57cc2f32610b..64903c67573964e35d3eb1cee7435b38101241f6 100644
--- a/app/finders/user_recent_events_finder.rb
+++ b/app/finders/user_recent_events_finder.rb
@@ -73,10 +73,20 @@ def execute_multi
 
     return Event.none if users.empty?
 
-    if event_filter.filter == EventFilter::ALL
-      execute_optimized_multi(users)
+    if Feature.enabled?(:optimized_followed_users_queries, current_user)
+      query_builder_params = event_filter.in_operator_query_builder_params(users)
+
+      Gitlab::Pagination::Keyset::InOperatorOptimization::QueryBuilder
+        .new(**query_builder_params)
+        .execute
+        .limit(limit)
+        .offset(params[:offset] || 0)
     else
-      event_filter.apply_filter(Event.where(author: users).limit_recent(limit, params[:offset] || 0))
+      if event_filter.filter == EventFilter::ALL
+        execute_optimized_multi(users)
+      else
+        event_filter.apply_filter(Event.where(author: users).limit_recent(limit, params[:offset] || 0))
+      end
     end
   end
   # rubocop: enable CodeReuse/ActiveRecord
diff --git a/app/models/event.rb b/app/models/event.rb
index 38740dc89d6bf78c7996b0f021157610d6e6ef61..e9a98c06b59685381b18c8993012e01f691dbb7d 100644
--- a/app/models/event.rb
+++ b/app/models/event.rb
@@ -31,8 +31,9 @@ class Event < ApplicationRecord
   private_constant :ACTIONS
 
   WIKI_ACTIONS = [:created, :updated, :destroyed].freeze
-
   DESIGN_ACTIONS = [:created, :updated, :destroyed].freeze
+  TEAM_ACTIONS = [:joined, :left, :expired].freeze
+  ISSUE_ACTIONS = [:created, :updated, :closed, :reopened].freeze
 
   TARGET_TYPES = HashWithIndifferentAccess.new(
     issue:          Issue,
diff --git a/config/feature_flags/development/optimized_followed_users_queries.yml b/config/feature_flags/development/optimized_followed_users_queries.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..514c3c91829a76a59df5abbf5feb02915a571272
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/feature_flags/development/optimized_followed_users_queries.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+---
+name: optimized_followed_users_queries
+introduced_by_url: https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/merge_requests/84856
+rollout_issue_url: https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/358649
+milestone: '14.10'
+type: development
+group: group::optimize
+default_enabled: false
diff --git a/db/post_migrate/20220409160628_add_async_index_for_events_followed_users.rb b/db/post_migrate/20220409160628_add_async_index_for_events_followed_users.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..fb858248b1917415b90df96e1b0ddd1be588f600
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/post_migrate/20220409160628_add_async_index_for_events_followed_users.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+class AddAsyncIndexForEventsFollowedUsers < Gitlab::Database::Migration[1.0]
+  INDEX_NAME = 'index_events_for_followed_users'
+
+  def up
+    prepare_async_index :events, %I[author_id target_type action id], name: INDEX_NAME
+  end
+
+  def down
+    unprepare_async_index :events, %I[author_id target_type action id], name: INDEX_NAME
+  end
+end
diff --git a/db/schema_migrations/20220409160628 b/db/schema_migrations/20220409160628
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..29b46427dd24fb87a4c5c32ebbc84e9bbe4adc9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/schema_migrations/20220409160628
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+7952024a6a8df98842fa23ca9a4c328b83816ded3071e7597dbab431a5561e1a
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ee/app/models/ee/event.rb b/ee/app/models/ee/event.rb
index 3cc2a722c26a27fdecf4a6ad6cf04f6cf7ed9c28..31042be99d7e8dace04d61b660caa0311b004b5c 100644
--- a/ee/app/models/ee/event.rb
+++ b/ee/app/models/ee/event.rb
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ module Event
       scope :epics, -> { where(target_type: 'Epic') }
     end
 
+    EPIC_ACTIONS = [:created, :closed, :reopened].freeze
+
     override :capabilities
     def capabilities
       super.merge(read_epic: %i[epic? epic_note?])
diff --git a/ee/lib/ee/event_filter.rb b/ee/lib/ee/event_filter.rb
index 7ade068997b504fc73dd3d1a821ca18d4fd04ca3..ca7a3a5586315ff366ef7df65789d3c15c959148 100644
--- a/ee/lib/ee/event_filter.rb
+++ b/ee/lib/ee/event_filter.rb
@@ -16,6 +16,20 @@ def apply_filter(events)
       end
     end
 
+    def in_operator_query_builder_params(user_ids)
+      case filter
+      when EPIC
+        in_operator_params(
+          array_scope_ids: user_ids,
+          scope: ::Event.epics,
+          in_column: :action,
+          in_values: ::Event.actions.values_at(*::Event::EPIC_ACTIONS)
+        )
+      else
+        super
+      end
+    end
+
     private
 
     override :filters
diff --git a/ee/spec/finders/ee/user_recent_events_finder_spec.rb b/ee/spec/finders/ee/user_recent_events_finder_spec.rb
index d46f6d4f5227ce92e9cb3878c5959fa7e858af61..32bb663cf588e61e194e25a5435000b0ef8ff037 100644
--- a/ee/spec/finders/ee/user_recent_events_finder_spec.rb
+++ b/ee/spec/finders/ee/user_recent_events_finder_spec.rb
@@ -5,28 +5,69 @@
 RSpec.describe UserRecentEventsFinder do
   describe '#execute' do
     let_it_be(:current_user) { create(:user) }
-    let_it_be(:user) { create(:user) }
+    let_it_be(:user1) { create(:user) }
+    let_it_be(:user2) { create(:user) }
     let_it_be(:epic) { create(:epic) }
+    let_it_be(:issue) { create(:issue) }
     let_it_be(:private_epic) { create(:epic, group: create(:group, :private)) }
     let_it_be(:note) { create(:note_on_epic, noteable: epic) }
-    let_it_be(:public_event) { create(:event, :commented, target: note, author: user, project: nil) }
-    let_it_be(:private_event) { create(:event, :closed, target: private_epic, author: user, project: nil) }
+    let_it_be(:public_event) { create(:event, :commented, target: note, author: user1, project: nil) }
+    let_it_be(:private_epic_event1) { create(:event, :closed, target: private_epic, author: user1, project: nil) }
 
-    subject { described_class.new(current_user, user, nil, {}).execute }
+    let(:event_filter) { nil }
+    let(:target_users) { user1 }
 
-    context 'epic related activities' do
-      context 'when profile is public' do
-        it { is_expected.to match_array([public_event, private_event]) }
-      end
+    subject { described_class.new(current_user, target_users, event_filter, {}).execute }
+
+    shared_examples 'UserRecentEventsFinder examples' do
+      context 'epic related activities' do
+        context 'when profile is public' do
+          it { is_expected.to match_array([public_event, private_epic_event1]) }
+        end
+
+        context 'when profile is private' do
+          before do
+            allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).and_call_original
+            allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).with(current_user, :read_user_profile, user1).and_return(false)
+          end
+
+          it { is_expected.to be_empty }
+        end
+
+        context 'wehen fetching events from multiple users' do
+          let_it_be(:private_issue_event) { create(:event, :created, target: issue, author: user1, project: nil) }
+          let_it_be(:private_epic_event2) do
+            create(:event, :created, target: private_epic, author: user2, project: nil)
+          end
+
+          let_it_be(:private_epic_event3) do
+            create(:event, :reopened, target: private_epic, author: user2, project: nil)
+          end
 
-      context 'when profile is private' do
-        before do
-          allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).and_call_original
-          allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).with(current_user, :read_user_profile, user).and_return(false)
+          let(:event_filter) { EventFilter.new(EventFilter::EPIC) }
+          let(:target_users) { [user1, user2] }
+
+          context 'when filtering for epic events' do
+            it { is_expected.to eq([private_epic_event3, private_epic_event2, private_epic_event1]) }
+          end
         end
+      end
+    end
+
+    context 'when the optimized_followed_users_queries FF is on' do
+      before do
+        stub_feature_flags(optimized_followed_users_queries: true)
+      end
+
+      it_behaves_like 'UserRecentEventsFinder examples'
+    end
 
-        it { is_expected.to be_empty }
+    context 'when the optimized_followed_users_queries FF is off' do
+      before do
+        stub_feature_flags(optimized_followed_users_queries: false)
       end
+
+      it_behaves_like 'UserRecentEventsFinder examples'
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/lib/event_filter.rb b/lib/event_filter.rb
index 915ab3555081bc2d2dcef9cdfefcde8dab0ac45a..8833207dd1d2057336a04ff34e8661b0e7d24ab7 100644
--- a/lib/event_filter.rb
+++ b/lib/event_filter.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # frozen_string_literal: true
 
+# rubocop: disable CodeReuse/ActiveRecord
 class EventFilter
   include Gitlab::Utils::StrongMemoize
 
@@ -24,7 +25,6 @@ def active?(key)
     filter == key.to_s
   end
 
-  # rubocop: disable CodeReuse/ActiveRecord
   def apply_filter(events)
     case filter
     when PUSH
@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@ def apply_filter(events)
     when COMMENTS
       events.commented_action
     when TEAM
-      events.where(action: [:joined, :left, :expired])
+      events.where(action: Event::TEAM_ACTIONS)
     when ISSUE
-      events.where(action: [:created, :updated, :closed, :reopened], target_type: 'Issue')
+      events.where(action: Event::ISSUE_ACTIONS, target_type: 'Issue')
     when WIKI
       wiki_events(events)
     when DESIGNS
@@ -45,10 +45,157 @@ def apply_filter(events)
       events
     end
   end
-  # rubocop: enable CodeReuse/ActiveRecord
+
+  # rubocop: disable Metrics/CyclomaticComplexity
+  # This method build specialized in-operator optimized queries based on different
+  # filter parameters. All queries will benefit from the index covering the following columns:
+  # author_id target_type action id
+  #
+  # More context: https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/development/database/efficient_in_operator_queries.html#the-inoperatoroptimization-module
+  def in_operator_query_builder_params(user_ids)
+    case filter
+    when ALL
+      in_operator_params(array_scope_ids: user_ids)
+    when PUSH
+      # Here we need to add an order hint column to force the correct index usage.
+      # Without the order hint, the following conditions will use the `index_events_on_author_id_and_id`
+      # index which is not as efficient as the `index_events_for_followed_users` index.
+      # > target_type IS NULL AND action = 5 AND author_id = X ORDER BY id DESC
+      #
+      # The order hint adds an extra order by column which doesn't affect the result but forces the planner
+      # to use the correct index:
+      # > target_type IS NULL AND action = 5 AND author_id = X ORDER BY target_type DESC, id DESC
+      in_operator_params(
+        array_scope_ids: user_ids,
+        scope: Event.where(target_type: nil).pushed_action,
+        order_hint_column: :target_type
+      )
+    when MERGED
+      in_operator_params(
+        array_scope_ids: user_ids,
+        scope: Event.where(target_type: MergeRequest.to_s).merged_action
+      )
+    when COMMENTS
+      in_operator_params(
+        array_scope_ids: user_ids,
+        scope: Event.commented_action,
+        in_column: :target_type,
+        in_values: [Note, *Note.descendants].map(&:name) # To make the query efficient we need to list all Note classes
+      )
+    when TEAM
+      in_operator_params(
+        array_scope_ids: user_ids,
+        scope: Event.where(target_type: nil),
+        order_hint_column: :target_type,
+        in_column: :action,
+        in_values: Event.actions.values_at(*Event::TEAM_ACTIONS)
+      )
+    when ISSUE
+      in_operator_params(
+        array_scope_ids: user_ids,
+        scope: Event.where(target_type: Issue.name),
+        in_column: :action,
+        in_values: Event.actions.values_at(*Event::ISSUE_ACTIONS)
+      )
+    when WIKI
+      in_operator_params(
+        array_scope_ids: user_ids,
+        scope: Event.for_wiki_page,
+        in_column: :action,
+        in_values: Event.actions.values_at(*Event::WIKI_ACTIONS)
+      )
+    when DESIGNS
+      in_operator_params(
+        array_scope_ids: user_ids,
+        scope: Event.for_design,
+        in_column: :action,
+        in_values: Event.actions.values_at(*Event::DESIGN_ACTIONS)
+      )
+    else
+      in_operator_params(array_scope_ids: user_ids)
+    end
+  end
+  # rubocop: enable Metrics/CyclomaticComplexity
 
   private
 
+  def in_operator_params(array_scope_ids:, scope: nil, in_column: nil, in_values: nil, order_hint_column: nil)
+    base_scope = Event.all
+    base_scope = base_scope.merge(scope) if scope
+
+    order = { id: :desc }
+    finder_query = -> (id_expression) { Event.where(Event.arel_table[:id].eq(id_expression)) }
+
+    if order_hint_column.present?
+      order = Gitlab::Pagination::Keyset::Order.build([
+        Gitlab::Pagination::Keyset::ColumnOrderDefinition.new(
+          attribute_name: order_hint_column,
+          order_expression: Event.arel_table[order_hint_column].desc,
+          nullable: :nulls_last,
+          distinct: false
+        ),
+        Gitlab::Pagination::Keyset::ColumnOrderDefinition.new(
+          attribute_name: :id,
+          order_expression: Event.arel_table[:id].desc
+        )
+      ])
+
+      finder_query = -> (_order_hint, id_expression) { Event.where(Event.arel_table[:id].eq(id_expression)) }
+    end
+
+    base_scope = base_scope.reorder(order)
+
+    array_params = in_operator_array_params(
+      array_scope_ids: array_scope_ids,
+      scope: base_scope,
+      in_column: in_column,
+      in_values: in_values
+    )
+
+    array_params.merge(
+      scope: base_scope,
+      finder_query: finder_query
+    )
+  end
+
+  # This method builds the array_ parameters
+  # without in_column parameter: uses one IN filter: author_id
+  # with in_column: two IN filters: author_id, (target_type OR action)
+  def in_operator_array_params(scope:, array_scope_ids:, in_column: nil, in_values: nil)
+    if in_column
+      # Builds Carthesian product of the in_values and the array_scope_ids (in this case: user_ids).
+      # The process is described here: https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/development/database/efficient_in_operator_queries.html#multiple-in-queries
+      # VALUES ((array_scope_ids[0], in_values[0]), (array_scope_ids[1], in_values[0]) ...)
+      cartesian = array_scope_ids.product(in_values)
+      user_with_column_list = Arel::Nodes::ValuesList.new(cartesian)
+
+      as = "array_ids(id, #{Event.connection.quote_column_name(in_column)})"
+      from = Arel::Nodes::Grouping.new(user_with_column_list).as(as)
+      {
+        array_scope: User.select(:id, in_column).from(from),
+        array_mapping_scope: -> (author_id_expression, in_column_expression) do
+          Event
+            .merge(scope)
+            .where(Event.arel_table[:author_id].eq(author_id_expression))
+            .where(Event.arel_table[in_column].eq(in_column_expression))
+        end
+      }
+    else
+      # Builds a simple query to represent the array_scope_ids
+      # VALUES ((array_scope_ids[0]), (array_scope_ids[2])...)
+      array_ids_list = Arel::Nodes::ValuesList.new(array_scope_ids.map { |id| [id] })
+      from = Arel::Nodes::Grouping.new(array_ids_list).as('array_ids(id)')
+      {
+        array_scope: User.select(:id).from(from),
+        array_mapping_scope: -> (author_id_expression) do
+          Event
+            .merge(scope)
+            .where(Event.arel_table[:author_id].eq(author_id_expression))
+        end
+      }
+    end
+  end
+
   def wiki_events(events)
     events.for_wiki_page
   end
@@ -61,5 +208,6 @@ def filters
     [ALL, PUSH, MERGED, ISSUE, COMMENTS, TEAM, WIKI, DESIGNS]
   end
 end
+# rubocop: enable CodeReuse/ActiveRecord
 
 EventFilter.prepend_mod_with('EventFilter')
diff --git a/lib/gitlab/pagination/keyset/in_operator_optimization/query_builder.rb b/lib/gitlab/pagination/keyset/in_operator_optimization/query_builder.rb
index 065a3a0cf20ebd2762b9b4da5ad6cfda773338ec..8c0f082f61c57f19dac3392cf06995a09be4a656 100644
--- a/lib/gitlab/pagination/keyset/in_operator_optimization/query_builder.rb
+++ b/lib/gitlab/pagination/keyset/in_operator_optimization/query_builder.rb
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ def build_column_arrays_query
               .from(array_cte)
               .join(Arel.sql("LEFT JOIN LATERAL (#{initial_keyset_query.to_sql}) #{table_name} ON TRUE"))
 
-            order_by_columns.each { |column| q.where(column.column_expression.not_eq(nil)) }
+            order_by_columns.each { |c| q.where(c.column_expression.not_eq(nil)) unless c.column.nullable? }
 
             q.as('array_scope_lateral_query')
           end
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ def array_order_query
               .project([*order_by_columns.original_column_names_as_arel_string, Arel.sql('position')])
               .from("UNNEST(#{list(order_by_columns.array_aggregated_column_names)}) WITH ORDINALITY AS u(#{list(order_by_columns.original_column_names)}, position)")
 
-            order_by_columns.each { |column| q.where(Arel.sql(column.original_column_name).not_eq(nil)) } # ignore rows where all columns are NULL
+            order_by_columns.each { |c| q.where(Arel.sql(c.original_column_name).not_eq(nil)) unless c.column.nullable? } # ignore rows where all columns are NULL
 
             q.order(Arel.sql(order_by_without_table_references)).take(1)
           end
diff --git a/spec/factories/events.rb b/spec/factories/events.rb
index d182dc9f95fd6d8492b6922702fc841767dff824..403165a393510df00df25839bed8b33c050f70fa 100644
--- a/spec/factories/events.rb
+++ b/spec/factories/events.rb
@@ -59,6 +59,11 @@
       target { design }
     end
 
+    factory :design_updated_event, traits: [:has_design] do
+      action { :updated }
+      target { design }
+    end
+
     factory :project_created_event do
       project factory: :project
       action { :created }
diff --git a/spec/finders/user_recent_events_finder_spec.rb b/spec/finders/user_recent_events_finder_spec.rb
index 6019d22059de6fd2ee85f24e96dc7a0a4ae9b0da..d7f7bb9cebed009c5a8374b8a2974aa03790ea11 100644
--- a/spec/finders/user_recent_events_finder_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/finders/user_recent_events_finder_spec.rb
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@
   let_it_be(:private_project)  { create(:project, :private, creator: project_owner) }
   let_it_be(:internal_project) { create(:project, :internal, creator: project_owner) }
   let_it_be(:public_project)   { create(:project, :public, creator: project_owner) }
-  let!(:private_event)   { create(:event, project: private_project, author: project_owner) }
-  let!(:internal_event)  { create(:event, project: internal_project, author: project_owner) }
-  let!(:public_event)    { create(:event, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
+  let_it_be(:private_event)   { create(:event, project: private_project, author: project_owner) }
+  let_it_be(:internal_event)  { create(:event, project: internal_project, author: project_owner) }
+  let_it_be(:public_event)    { create(:event, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
   let_it_be(:issue) { create(:issue, project: public_project) }
 
   let(:limit) { nil }
@@ -18,210 +18,266 @@
 
   subject(:finder) { described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, nil, params) }
 
-  describe '#execute' do
-    context 'when profile is public' do
-      it 'returns all the events' do
-        expect(finder.execute).to include(private_event, internal_event, public_event)
+  shared_examples 'UserRecentEventsFinder examples' do
+    describe '#execute' do
+      context 'when profile is public' do
+        it 'returns all the events' do
+          expect(finder.execute).to include(private_event, internal_event, public_event)
+        end
       end
-    end
 
-    context 'when profile is private' do
-      it 'returns no event' do
-        allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).and_call_original
-        allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).with(current_user, :read_user_profile, project_owner).and_return(false)
+      context 'when profile is private' do
+        it 'returns no event' do
+          allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).and_call_original
+          allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).with(current_user, :read_user_profile, project_owner).and_return(false)
 
-        expect(finder.execute).to be_empty
+          expect(finder.execute).to be_empty
+        end
       end
-    end
 
-    it 'does not include the events if the user cannot read cross project' do
-      allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).and_call_original
-      expect(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).with(current_user, :read_cross_project) { false }
+      it 'does not include the events if the user cannot read cross project' do
+        allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).and_call_original
+        expect(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).with(current_user, :read_cross_project) { false }
 
-      expect(finder.execute).to be_empty
-    end
+        expect(finder.execute).to be_empty
+      end
 
-    context 'events from multiple users' do
-      let_it_be(:second_user, reload: true) { create(:user) }
-      let_it_be(:private_project_second_user) { create(:project, :private, creator: second_user) }
+      context 'events from multiple users' do
+        let_it_be(:second_user, reload: true) { create(:user) }
+        let_it_be(:private_project_second_user) { create(:project, :private, creator: second_user) }
 
-      let(:internal_project_second_user) { create(:project, :internal, creator: second_user) }
-      let(:public_project_second_user)   { create(:project, :public, creator: second_user) }
-      let!(:private_event_second_user)   { create(:event, project: private_project_second_user, author: second_user) }
-      let!(:internal_event_second_user)  { create(:event, project: internal_project_second_user, author: second_user) }
-      let!(:public_event_second_user)    { create(:event, project: public_project_second_user, author: second_user) }
+        let_it_be(:internal_project_second_user) { create(:project, :internal, creator: second_user) }
+        let_it_be(:public_project_second_user)   { create(:project, :public, creator: second_user) }
+        let_it_be(:private_event_second_user)   { create(:event, project: private_project_second_user, author: second_user) }
+        let_it_be(:internal_event_second_user)  { create(:event, project: internal_project_second_user, author: second_user) }
+        let_it_be(:public_event_second_user)    { create(:event, project: public_project_second_user, author: second_user) }
 
-      it 'includes events from all users', :aggregate_failures do
-        events = described_class.new(current_user, [project_owner, second_user], nil, params).execute
+        it 'includes events from all users', :aggregate_failures do
+          events = described_class.new(current_user, [project_owner, second_user], nil, params).execute
 
-        expect(events).to include(private_event, internal_event, public_event)
-        expect(events).to include(private_event_second_user, internal_event_second_user, public_event_second_user)
-        expect(events.size).to eq(6)
-      end
+          expect(events).to include(private_event, internal_event, public_event)
+          expect(events).to include(private_event_second_user, internal_event_second_user, public_event_second_user)
+          expect(events.size).to eq(6)
+        end
 
-      context 'selected events' do
-        let!(:push_event)                  { create(:push_event, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
-        let!(:push_event_second_user)      { create(:push_event, project: public_project_second_user, author: second_user) }
+        context 'selected events' do
+          using RSpec::Parameterized::TableSyntax
+
+          let_it_be(:push_event1) { create(:push_event, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
+          let_it_be(:push_event2) { create(:push_event, project: public_project_second_user, author: second_user) }
+          let_it_be(:merge_event1) { create(:event, :merged, target_type: MergeRequest.to_s, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
+          let_it_be(:merge_event2) { create(:event, :merged, target_type: MergeRequest.to_s, project: public_project_second_user, author: second_user) }
+          let_it_be(:comment_event1) { create(:event, :commented, target_type: Note.to_s, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
+          let_it_be(:comment_event2) { create(:event, :commented, target_type: DiffNote.to_s, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
+          let_it_be(:comment_event3) { create(:event, :commented, target_type: DiscussionNote.to_s, project: public_project_second_user, author: second_user) }
+          let_it_be(:issue_event1) { create(:event, :created, project: public_project, target: issue, author: project_owner) }
+          let_it_be(:issue_event2) { create(:event, :updated, project: public_project, target: issue, author: project_owner) }
+          let_it_be(:issue_event3) { create(:event, :closed, project: public_project_second_user, target: issue, author: second_user) }
+          let_it_be(:wiki_event1) { create(:wiki_page_event, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
+          let_it_be(:wiki_event2) { create(:wiki_page_event, project: public_project_second_user, author: second_user) }
+          let_it_be(:design_event1) { create(:design_event, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
+          let_it_be(:design_event2) { create(:design_updated_event, project: public_project_second_user, author: second_user) }
+
+          where(:event_filter, :ordered_expected_events) do
+            EventFilter.new(EventFilter::PUSH)     | lazy { [push_event1, push_event2] }
+            EventFilter.new(EventFilter::MERGED)   | lazy { [merge_event1, merge_event2] }
+            EventFilter.new(EventFilter::COMMENTS) | lazy { [comment_event1, comment_event2, comment_event3] }
+            EventFilter.new(EventFilter::TEAM)     | lazy { [private_event, internal_event, public_event, private_event_second_user, internal_event_second_user, public_event_second_user] }
+            EventFilter.new(EventFilter::ISSUE)    | lazy { [issue_event1, issue_event2, issue_event3] }
+            EventFilter.new(EventFilter::WIKI)     | lazy { [wiki_event1, wiki_event2] }
+            EventFilter.new(EventFilter::DESIGNS)  | lazy { [design_event1, design_event2] }
+          end
 
-        it 'only includes selected events (PUSH) from all users', :aggregate_failures do
-          event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::PUSH)
-          events = described_class.new(current_user, [project_owner, second_user], event_filter, params).execute
+          with_them do
+            it 'only returns selected events from all users (id DESC)' do
+              events = described_class.new(current_user, [project_owner, second_user], event_filter, params).execute
 
-          expect(events).to contain_exactly(push_event, push_event_second_user)
+              expect(events).to eq(ordered_expected_events.reverse)
+            end
+          end
         end
-      end
 
-      it 'does not include events from users with private profile', :aggregate_failures do
-        allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).and_call_original
-        allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).with(current_user, :read_user_profile, second_user).and_return(false)
+        it 'does not include events from users with private profile', :aggregate_failures do
+          allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).and_call_original
+          allow(Ability).to receive(:allowed?).with(current_user, :read_user_profile, second_user).and_return(false)
 
-        events = described_class.new(current_user, [project_owner, second_user], nil, params).execute
+          events = described_class.new(current_user, [project_owner, second_user], nil, params).execute
 
-        expect(events).to contain_exactly(private_event, internal_event, public_event)
-      end
+          expect(events).to contain_exactly(private_event, internal_event, public_event)
+        end
 
-      context 'with pagination params' do
-        using RSpec::Parameterized::TableSyntax
+        context 'with pagination params' do
+          using RSpec::Parameterized::TableSyntax
 
-        where(:limit, :offset, :ordered_expected_events) do
-          nil | nil   | lazy { [public_event_second_user, internal_event_second_user, private_event_second_user, public_event, internal_event, private_event] }
-          2   | nil   | lazy { [public_event_second_user, internal_event_second_user] }
-          nil | 4     | lazy { [internal_event, private_event] }
-          2   | 2     | lazy { [private_event_second_user, public_event] }
-        end
+          where(:limit, :offset, :ordered_expected_events) do
+            nil | nil   | lazy { [public_event_second_user, internal_event_second_user, private_event_second_user, public_event, internal_event, private_event] }
+            2   | nil   | lazy { [public_event_second_user, internal_event_second_user] }
+            nil | 4     | lazy { [internal_event, private_event] }
+            2   | 2     | lazy { [private_event_second_user, public_event] }
+          end
 
-        with_them do
-          let(:params) { { limit: limit, offset: offset }.compact }
+          with_them do
+            let(:params) { { limit: limit, offset: offset }.compact }
 
-          it 'returns paginated events sorted by id (DESC)' do
-            events = described_class.new(current_user, [project_owner, second_user], nil, params).execute
+            it 'returns paginated events sorted by id (DESC)' do
+              events = described_class.new(current_user, [project_owner, second_user], nil, params).execute
 
-            expect(events).to eq(ordered_expected_events)
+              expect(events).to eq(ordered_expected_events)
+            end
           end
         end
       end
-    end
 
-    context 'filter activity events' do
-      let!(:push_event) { create(:push_event, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
-      let!(:merge_event) { create(:event, :merged, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
-      let!(:issue_event) { create(:event, :closed, project: public_project, target: issue, author: project_owner) }
-      let!(:comment_event) { create(:event, :commented, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
-      let!(:wiki_event) { create(:wiki_page_event, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
-      let!(:design_event) { create(:design_event, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
-      let!(:team_event) { create(:event, :joined, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
-
-      it 'includes all events', :aggregate_failures do
-        event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::ALL)
-        events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
-
-        expect(events).to include(private_event, internal_event, public_event)
-        expect(events).to include(push_event, merge_event, issue_event, comment_event, wiki_event, design_event, team_event)
-        expect(events.size).to eq(10)
-      end
+      context 'filter activity events' do
+        let_it_be(:push_event) { create(:push_event, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
+        let_it_be(:merge_event) { create(:event, :merged, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
+        let_it_be(:issue_event) { create(:event, :closed, project: public_project, target: issue, author: project_owner) }
+        let_it_be(:comment_event) { create(:event, :commented, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
+        let_it_be(:wiki_event) { create(:wiki_page_event, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
+        let_it_be(:design_event) { create(:design_event, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
+        let_it_be(:team_event) { create(:event, :joined, project: public_project, author: project_owner) }
+
+        it 'includes all events', :aggregate_failures do
+          event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::ALL)
+          events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
+
+          expect(events).to include(private_event, internal_event, public_event)
+          expect(events).to include(push_event, merge_event, issue_event, comment_event, wiki_event, design_event, team_event)
+          expect(events.size).to eq(10)
+        end
 
-      it 'only includes push events', :aggregate_failures do
-        event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::PUSH)
-        events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
+        context 'when unknown filter is given' do
+          it 'includes returns all events', :aggregate_failures do
+            event_filter = EventFilter.new('unknown')
+            allow(event_filter).to receive(:filter).and_return('unknown')
 
-        expect(events).to include(push_event)
-        expect(events.size).to eq(1)
-      end
+            events = described_class.new(current_user, [project_owner], event_filter, params).execute
 
-      it 'only includes merge events', :aggregate_failures do
-        event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::MERGED)
-        events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
+            expect(events).to include(private_event, internal_event, public_event)
+            expect(events).to include(push_event, merge_event, issue_event, comment_event, wiki_event, design_event, team_event)
+            expect(events.size).to eq(10)
+          end
+        end
 
-        expect(events).to include(merge_event)
-        expect(events.size).to eq(1)
-      end
+        it 'only includes push events', :aggregate_failures do
+          event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::PUSH)
+          events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
 
-      it 'only includes issue events', :aggregate_failures do
-        event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::ISSUE)
-        events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
+          expect(events).to include(push_event)
+          expect(events.size).to eq(1)
+        end
 
-        expect(events).to include(issue_event)
-        expect(events.size).to eq(1)
-      end
+        it 'only includes merge events', :aggregate_failures do
+          event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::MERGED)
+          events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
 
-      it 'only includes comments events', :aggregate_failures do
-        event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::COMMENTS)
-        events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
+          expect(events).to include(merge_event)
+          expect(events.size).to eq(1)
+        end
 
-        expect(events).to include(comment_event)
-        expect(events.size).to eq(1)
-      end
+        it 'only includes issue events', :aggregate_failures do
+          event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::ISSUE)
+          events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
 
-      it 'only includes wiki events', :aggregate_failures do
-        event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::WIKI)
-        events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
+          expect(events).to include(issue_event)
+          expect(events.size).to eq(1)
+        end
 
-        expect(events).to include(wiki_event)
-        expect(events.size).to eq(1)
-      end
+        it 'only includes comments events', :aggregate_failures do
+          event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::COMMENTS)
+          events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
 
-      it 'only includes design events', :aggregate_failures do
-        event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::DESIGNS)
-        events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
+          expect(events).to include(comment_event)
+          expect(events.size).to eq(1)
+        end
 
-        expect(events).to include(design_event)
-        expect(events.size).to eq(1)
-      end
+        it 'only includes wiki events', :aggregate_failures do
+          event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::WIKI)
+          events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
 
-      it 'only includes team events', :aggregate_failures do
-        event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::TEAM)
-        events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
+          expect(events).to include(wiki_event)
+          expect(events.size).to eq(1)
+        end
 
-        expect(events).to include(private_event, internal_event, public_event, team_event)
-        expect(events.size).to eq(4)
-      end
-    end
+        it 'only includes design events', :aggregate_failures do
+          event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::DESIGNS)
+          events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
 
-    describe 'issue activity events' do
-      let(:issue) { create(:issue, project: public_project) }
-      let(:note) { create(:note_on_issue, noteable: issue, project: public_project) }
-      let!(:event_a) { create(:event, :commented, target: note, author: project_owner) }
-      let!(:event_b) { create(:event, :closed, target: issue, author: project_owner) }
+          expect(events).to include(design_event)
+          expect(events.size).to eq(1)
+        end
 
-      it 'includes all issue related events', :aggregate_failures do
-        events = finder.execute
+        it 'only includes team events', :aggregate_failures do
+          event_filter = EventFilter.new(EventFilter::TEAM)
+          events = described_class.new(current_user, project_owner, event_filter, params).execute
 
-        expect(events).to include(event_a)
-        expect(events).to include(event_b)
+          expect(events).to include(private_event, internal_event, public_event, team_event)
+          expect(events.size).to eq(4)
+        end
       end
-    end
 
-    context 'limits' do
-      before do
-        stub_const("#{described_class}::DEFAULT_LIMIT", 1)
-        stub_const("#{described_class}::MAX_LIMIT", 3)
-      end
+      describe 'issue activity events' do
+        let(:issue) { create(:issue, project: public_project) }
+        let(:note) { create(:note_on_issue, noteable: issue, project: public_project) }
+        let!(:event_a) { create(:event, :commented, target: note, author: project_owner) }
+        let!(:event_b) { create(:event, :closed, target: issue, author: project_owner) }
 
-      context 'when limit is not set' do
-        it 'returns events limited to DEFAULT_LIMIT' do
-          expect(finder.execute.size).to eq(described_class::DEFAULT_LIMIT)
+        it 'includes all issue related events', :aggregate_failures do
+          events = finder.execute
+
+          expect(events).to include(event_a)
+          expect(events).to include(event_b)
         end
       end
 
-      context 'when limit is set' do
-        let(:limit) { 2 }
+      context 'limits' do
+        before do
+          stub_const("#{described_class}::DEFAULT_LIMIT", 1)
+          stub_const("#{described_class}::MAX_LIMIT", 3)
+        end
 
-        it 'returns events limited to specified limit' do
-          expect(finder.execute.size).to eq(limit)
+        context 'when limit is not set' do
+          it 'returns events limited to DEFAULT_LIMIT' do
+            expect(finder.execute.size).to eq(described_class::DEFAULT_LIMIT)
+          end
         end
-      end
 
-      context 'when limit is set to a number that exceeds maximum limit' do
-        let(:limit) { 4 }
+        context 'when limit is set' do
+          let(:limit) { 2 }
 
-        before do
-          create(:event, project: public_project, author: project_owner)
+          it 'returns events limited to specified limit' do
+            expect(finder.execute.size).to eq(limit)
+          end
         end
 
-        it 'returns events limited to MAX_LIMIT' do
-          expect(finder.execute.size).to eq(described_class::MAX_LIMIT)
+        context 'when limit is set to a number that exceeds maximum limit' do
+          let(:limit) { 4 }
+
+          before do
+            create(:event, project: public_project, author: project_owner)
+          end
+
+          it 'returns events limited to MAX_LIMIT' do
+            expect(finder.execute.size).to eq(described_class::MAX_LIMIT)
+          end
         end
       end
     end
   end
+
+  context 'when the optimized_followed_users_queries FF is on' do
+    before do
+      stub_feature_flags(optimized_followed_users_queries: true)
+    end
+
+    it_behaves_like 'UserRecentEventsFinder examples'
+  end
+
+  context 'when the optimized_followed_users_queries FF is off' do
+    before do
+      stub_feature_flags(optimized_followed_users_queries: false)
+    end
+
+    it_behaves_like 'UserRecentEventsFinder examples'
+  end
 end
diff --git a/spec/lib/gitlab/pagination/keyset/in_operator_optimization/query_builder_spec.rb b/spec/lib/gitlab/pagination/keyset/in_operator_optimization/query_builder_spec.rb
index 832e269a78c9f4bcc032ca9c4fd2f7c70b9884ce..9f2ac9a953d41a33b324f55bc49597574f7dd688 100644
--- a/spec/lib/gitlab/pagination/keyset/in_operator_optimization/query_builder_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/lib/gitlab/pagination/keyset/in_operator_optimization/query_builder_spec.rb
@@ -24,12 +24,12 @@
   let_it_be(:issues) do
     [
       create(:issue, project: project_1, created_at: three_weeks_ago, relative_position: 5),
-      create(:issue, project: project_1, created_at: two_weeks_ago),
+      create(:issue, project: project_1, created_at: two_weeks_ago, relative_position: nil),
       create(:issue, project: project_2, created_at: two_weeks_ago, relative_position: 15),
-      create(:issue, project: project_2, created_at: two_weeks_ago),
-      create(:issue, project: project_3, created_at: four_weeks_ago),
+      create(:issue, project: project_2, created_at: two_weeks_ago, relative_position: nil),
+      create(:issue, project: project_3, created_at: four_weeks_ago, relative_position: nil),
       create(:issue, project: project_4, created_at: five_weeks_ago, relative_position: 10),
-      create(:issue, project: project_5, created_at: four_weeks_ago)
+      create(:issue, project: project_5, created_at: four_weeks_ago, relative_position: nil)
     ]
   end
 
@@ -155,6 +155,31 @@
 
       it_behaves_like 'correct ordering examples'
     end
+
+    context 'with condition "relative_position IS NULL"' do
+      let(:base_scope) { Issue.where(relative_position: nil) }
+      let(:scope) { base_scope.order(order) }
+
+      let(:in_operator_optimization_options) do
+        {
+          array_scope: Project.where(namespace_id: top_level_group.self_and_descendants.select(:id)).select(:id),
+          array_mapping_scope: -> (id_expression) { Issue.merge(base_scope.dup).where(Issue.arel_table[:project_id].eq(id_expression)) },
+          finder_query: -> (_relative_position_expression, id_expression) { Issue.where(Issue.arel_table[:id].eq(id_expression)) }
+        }
+      end
+
+      context 'when iterating records one by one' do
+        let(:batch_size) { 1 }
+
+        it_behaves_like 'correct ordering examples'
+      end
+
+      context 'when iterating records with LIMIT 3' do
+        let(:batch_size) { 3 }
+
+        it_behaves_like 'correct ordering examples'
+      end
+    end
   end
 
   context 'when ordering by issues.created_at DESC, issues.id ASC' do