When to use this check
A shared article should be recognisable by its subject. A general logo can identify the brand but does not replace a descriptive title and a suitable image for that particular content.
Know what you are checking.
Open Graph supplies information to services that build link previews. It supports sharing, but it is not direct proof of improved Google rankings. The preview should accurately represent its destination.
A practical example
<meta property="og:title" content="Website launch checklist" />
<meta property="og:type" content="article" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://example.com/images/checklist.png" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://example.com/website-launch-checklist" />A common mistake
An unchanged cached preview does not necessarily mean the new tags are wrong. Small embedded text can also be unreadable on mobile.
Understand the result. Make the right change.
Which Open Graph properties are required
The core properties are og:title, og:type, og:image and og:url. A description is a useful addition; an image alone does not fully identify the shared page.
- Name the particular article or product in the title.
- Choose a type matching the content; use article for an article.
- Set og:url to the preferred public address of that content.
How to check that an Open Graph image is accessible
The preview needs an accessible image file. A URL that only works in administration or returns HTML instead of an image is still broken even when its meta tag is correct.
- Open the absolute image URL in a signed-out window.
- Check for a successful response and an image Content-Type.
- Provide meaningful og:image:alt when the image communicates information.
How to prepare an image for different preview crops
Sharing services may use different aspect ratios. Keep the important subject and a short title away from the edges; a tiny paragraph embedded in an image becomes unreadable on mobile.
- Inspect a small preview rather than only the full-size file.
- Show the particular product; a general logo does not identify its variant.
- Match the language of the image and metadata to the destination page.
Why a shared link still shows the old preview
After an edit, inspect the current page source and image first. If both are correct, an older preview may come from the receiving service’s cache.
- Use the service’s preview refresh tool if it provides one.
- Consider a new filename when the image changes to distinguish its version.
- Test the resulting preview in the service your readers actually use.
Primary reference: ogp.me ↗
Frequently asked questions
Why does sharing still show the old image after a fix?
The sharing platform may cache its own preview. First open the exact image URL without signing in and inspect current OG tags in production HTML. Then use the platform’s available refresh tool. Changing an image in an editor does not necessarily update the published document.
When the task is complete
The absolute image URL returns an image rather than a login page or HTML error. Cropping and text remain readable in a small preview. Open Graph is not a direct ranking guarantee.