Open Graph image (OG image)
Also called OG image, og:image, link preview image, social share image
What is an Open Graph image?
An Open Graph image, or OG image, is the picture that appears when a web page link is shared on social media, in messaging apps or in Slack. It is set in the page's HTML with the og:image meta tag, part of the Open Graph protocol Facebook introduced in 2010. The recommended size is 1200×630 pixels, about 1.91:1.
Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord and many other apps read Open Graph tags (og:title, og:description, og:image). X reads its own Twitter Card tags but falls back to Open Graph; its large card uses a 2:1 crop, so keep important content in the center.
Without an OG image, apps pick an image from the page or show none, and the link looks bare. Some platforms cache the image, so after changing it you may need to refresh the cache with their debugging tools.
Why an Open Graph image matters
A link with a clear, branded preview image gets noticed in a feed or chat far more easily than a plain text link, which helps click-through rate on everything you share.
OG images are also the default creative for link posts and some link ads, so a good one does double duty for organic and paid sharing.
How to add an Open Graph image
- Make an image at 1200×630 pixels with a short headline, your logo and brand colors.
- Keep text in the center so 2:1 and square crops do not cut it.
- Host it at a public URL and add <meta property="og:image" content="https://..."> to the page head, plus og:title and og:description.
- Add twitter:card set to summary_large_image for a big preview on X.
- Test the link with Facebook's Sharing Debugger or LinkedIn's Post Inspector, which also refresh the cache.
Open Graph image example
<meta property="og:title" content="Winter tune-up: $49" />
<meta property="og:description" content="Book a full service at Spoke & Chain." />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://example.com/og/tune-up.png" />
<meta property="og:image:width" content="1200" />
<meta property="og:image:height" content="630" />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />Open Graph image FAQ
What size should an OG image be?
1200×630 pixels (about 1.91:1) is the standard. Facebook asks for at least 600×315, and smaller images may show as a small thumbnail instead of a large card.
Why is my link preview image not showing?
Common causes are a missing or relative og:image URL, an image behind a login, a file that is too large, or a cached old preview. Use the platform's debugging tool to see what it reads and refresh it.
Related terms
Social media image sizes are the pixel dimensions and aspect ratios each platform recommends for posts, stories, ads, profile banners and link previews.
A banner ad is a rectangular image or animated ad shown on websites and apps, in standard sizes like 300×250, 728×90 and 320×50.
Click-through rate (CTR) is the percentage of people who click a link, ad or button after seeing it: clicks divided by impressions.
A video thumbnail is the still image shown before a video plays. It works like a cover and strongly affects whether people click or tap.
A landing page is a web page built for one goal, like a signup or booking, that visitors reach from an ad, post or email.