Images & sharing
What is Open Graph?
Open Graph is a metadata format that describes a web page to services displaying shared links, giving them a title, page type, image and identifying URL to work with.
By Plainview WebReviewed
The meaning
Open Graph tags belong in the page’s HTML head, where software can read them. The protocol’s core properties are og:title, og:type, og:image and og:url. A description and image alternative text provide further context. These values describe the shared page rather than adding visible paragraphs to its body.
The sharing image and the metadata are separate parts of the job. The image must be published at an accessible address, and og:image must point to that address. The page URL identifies the content being shared. Keep both addresses accurate when moving a page or replacing its artwork.
An example
Metadata for a fictional guide
<meta property="og:title" content="Preparing your first product photos">
<meta property="og:type" content="article">
<meta property="og:url" content="https://example.com/guides/product-photos">
<meta property="og:image" content="https://example.com/images/product-photos.jpg">
<meta property="og:image:alt" content="A camera beside a tabletop product arrangement">These demonstration addresses show how the page and image relate. Replace them with the real published resources. A relevant title and image should help someone recognize what they will find after opening the link; avoid artwork that promises content the page does not contain.
When it matters
A shared link may be someone’s first encounter with a business, service or article. Preparing its description and artwork is part of presenting that page clearly. Check the live share on the platforms that matter to your audience, including whether their systems can retrieve the image.
Plainview’s Open Graph & Social Card Generator can compose artwork and create metadata for review. Downloading those files does not publish them or change your website. Install the tags through the website’s supported settings or templates, publish the image, and check the resulting page.
A common confusion
The same metadata does not guarantee the same preview everywhere
Platforms apply their own image requirements and presentation rules. A generator’s preview is an approximation, and blocked or inaccessible artwork can prevent the expected image appearing. Use the destination platform’s inspection tools when available and judge the published link rather than relying only on the local mockup.