Open Graph Tags: Which Ones You Need and Correct Image Sizes

Open Graph tags control how a link looks when someone shares it on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and messaging apps. Most pages need five: og:title, og:description, og:image, og:url and og:type. They do not affect rankings, but a good preview can raise clicks on shared links.

The tags that matter

<meta property="og:title" content="Page title">
<meta property="og:description" content="Short summary">
<meta property="og:image" content="https://example.com/image.jpg">
<meta property="og:url" content="https://example.com/page/">
<meta property="og:type" content="article">

What image size to use

A widely used size is 1200 by 630 pixels, which matches the common 1.91 to 1 shape. Use an absolute image URL, keep the main subject away from the edges and avoid putting small text on it. If you need to crop a graphic to size, my free image resizer does it in the browser.

Write the text for a different audience

The og:title and og:description can be friendlier than your search title. People see them in feeds, so make them clear and inviting rather than keyword heavy.

Test before and after publishing

Preview how your link will appear with the social share preview tool. Platforms cache previews, so after changing an image you may need to use each platform’s debugging tool to refresh it.

Generate the code

The free meta tag generator outputs ready-to-paste Open Graph tags alongside the standard ones.

Common mistakes

• A relative image path instead of a full URL.
• One image reused for every page.
• A tiny or heavily compressed image that looks blurry.
• An og:url that does not match the canonical address.

Frequently asked questions

Next steps

Want help setting these up site-wide? Contact me here.

More in this series (meta tag questions): start with Free Meta Tag Generator, then explore:

• Why Does Google Rewrite My Meta Description?
• Do Meta Keywords Still Matter for SEO?
• What Is the Viewport Meta Tag and Does It Affect SEO?
• Twitter Card Meta Tags: Summary vs Large Image Explained