What are Open Graph meta tags? When you share a post from your website on a social media platform like Facebook or Twitter, the post will usually display a preview of an image, a website title, and a description. But do you know how that information gets to your social media post? Probably not, because you’ve never had to think about it. The answer is Open Graph meta tags.
Open Graph Meta Tags
- 1 Open Graph Meta Tags
- 2 Open Graph Meta Tags You Should Use
- 3 Open Graph Meta Tag Integration
- 4 Frequently Asked Questions About Open Graph Meta Tags
- 4.1 1. What happens if I don’t use Open Graph meta tags on my website?
- 4.2 2. Do I need different meta tags for each social media platform?
- 4.3 3. What image size and format should I use for og:image?
- 4.4 4. How do I add Open Graph meta tags if I’m using WordPress or another website builder?
- 4.5 5. Can I use the same og:title and og:description for all my web pages?
- 4.6 6. How can I test if my Open Graph meta tags are working correctly?
- 4.7 7. Do Open Graph meta tags affect my website’s SEO rankings?
- 4.8 8. What’s the difference between regular meta tags and Open Graph meta tags?
First of all, let’s define meta tags. Meta tags are small segments of text that describe a web page’s content to search engines.
Open Graph is a protocol used by web developers to determine what content will be shown when a website is posted on a social media platform. If your website doesn’t use these open graph meta tags, then it’s possible a photo unrelated to your content or an inaccurate description will be displayed on the social media platform.
However, if you use Open Graph meta tags, you can choose what people see when they share your website on social media. If you pick a relevant image, title, and content, you are much more likely to get clicks on your website. This is why open graph meta tagging is important.
Open Graph Meta Tags You Should Use
The following is a full list of the Open Graph meta tags are the most common. These are the ones you should use for your website.
og:site_name
This is the name of your website. It will be shown under the title of the web page.
og:title
This is the title of your individual web pages. Try to make these simple, memorable, and something that a viewer will want to click on.
og:description
This meta tag should include a short description of your website. Make sure it is a maximum of two sentences. You want to write something, short, snappy, and to the point that will make the reader click through to your site.
og:type
This tag determines the type of content shown. There are several options for the type of content you can display, including songs, videos, and more.
og:image
This is where you put the URL for the image you want to display on social media. The image must be a minimum size of 50 by 50 pixels and needs to be in either the JPEG, GIF, or PNG format.
og:url
This tag is there you put the URL that you want your content to link to.
Open Graph Meta Tag Integration
Next, you will need to integrate your Open Graph meta tags to your website. The easiest way to do this is by adding them to the container of your page’s HTML files. This might sound difficult if you are not a professional web developer.
But, if you use WordPress or another website builder, there is an easier way. For example, Facebook offers an official plugin you can attach to your website. Also, e-commerce software like Zen Cart and Shopify also allow Open Graph integration.
However, if you do know HTML and don’t have millions of pages to set up, then you can simply add the meta tags to your web pages in the HTML files.
Steps for Integrating Open Graph Meta Tags to Your Web Pages
Open your HTML container:
<html>
<head>
<meta property=”og:title” content=”My Website” />
…
</head>
</html>
Then, replace the property and content in quotes with your relevant meta tags. You can add as many as necessary.
However, some social media platforms utilize their own social media tags. For example, Twitter uses Twitter Cards. But, if Twitter doesn’t find any Twitter Card tags, it will default to Open Graph. That’s because Open Graph is a universally accepted protocol and works with any website. That’s why it is so important to utilize for your own website.
If you choose not to use Open Graph meta tags, you risk losing out on lots of clicks to your website. These give you the opportunity to choose what information people will see about your website when it is shared on social media networks. If you don’t use these tags, you could even lose out on business.
If you need help with your website’s Open Graph meta tags, SEO Design Chicago can help. Our team of website developers can help make sure your website looks professional on every kind of social media platform.
Frequently Asked Questions About Open Graph Meta Tags
Without Open Graph meta tags, social media platforms will automatically choose what to display when your content is shared, which often results in irrelevant images, incorrect titles, or poor descriptions. This can make your shared content look unprofessional and significantly reduce click-through rates. You essentially lose control over how your content appears on social media, potentially missing out on valuable traffic and business opportunities.
While some platforms like Twitter have their own specific tags (Twitter Cards), Open Graph is a universally accepted protocol that works across all major social media platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, and others. If a platform doesn’t find its specific tags, it will default to Open Graph tags. This makes Open Graph tags essential as your foundation, though you can add platform-specific tags for enhanced optimization.
3. What image size and format should I use for og:image?
Your og:image must be at least 50 by 50 pixels, but for best results, use images that are 1200 by 630 pixels. The image should be in JPEG, PNG, or GIF format. Make sure to choose an image that’s relevant to your content and looks good when cropped to different aspect ratios, as different social media platforms may display it differently.
Most website builders offer easy solutions for Open Graph integration. WordPress users can install plugins like Yoast SEO or RankMath that automatically generate Open Graph tags. E-commerce platforms like Shopify have built-in Open Graph support. Facebook also offers an official plugin for easy integration. These tools typically allow you to set Open Graph tags without touching any HTML code.
5. Can I use the same og:title and og:description for all my web pages?
No, each page should have unique og:title and og:description tags that accurately reflect that specific page’s content. Your og:title should be page-specific and compelling, while your og:description should be a short, snappy summary (maximum two sentences) of what visitors will find on that particular page. Generic titles and descriptions won’t be as effective at driving clicks.
Use Facebook’s Sharing Debugger tool or LinkedIn’s Post Inspector to test how your pages will appear when shared. These free tools show you exactly what information will be displayed and alert you to any issues with your Open Graph implementation. You can also simply try sharing your page on social media platforms to see the preview yourself.
Open Graph meta tags don’t directly impact search engine rankings, but they indirectly benefit SEO by increasing social media engagement and click-through rates from social platforms. When your content gets more shares and clicks from social media due to attractive previews, it can drive more traffic to your site, which can positively influence your overall online presence and potentially your search rankings.
Regular meta tags (like meta description and title tags) are primarily used by search engines to understand and display your content in search results. Open Graph meta tags are specifically designed for social media platforms and control how your content appears when shared on social networks. While both describe your content, they serve different purposes – search engines versus social media platforms – and should be optimized for their respective audiences.
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