Let’s say you have designed a Food blog and want to share your posts on social media. Your website deserves to look its best when shared on social media. A well-chosen social sharing image can grab attention, convey your brand, and boost clicks. In this guide, I’ll explain what a social sharing image is, why it’s important, and how to set one up on your Divi website. We’ll cover simple methods using the featured image, as well as advanced options with SEO and Open Graph plugins.
What Is a Social Sharing Image?
A social sharing image is the picture that appears when someone shares a page or post from your website on platforms like Facebook or Twitter. It gives your link a visual appeal that can entice users to click. Without a proper image, your shared content might look unprofessional or generic, which can harm your brand’s image.
Why a Social Sharing Image Matters
When your website is shared, the social platform pulls information from your page’s meta tags. A strong, well-optimized image can make your post stand out in crowded feeds. It helps set the tone for your content and ensures that the first impression is eye-catching. By setting the right image, you can:
- Boost Engagement: Attractive images increase the chances that people will click on your shared links.
- Strengthen Brand Identity: Consistent imagery reinforces your brand’s style and message.
- Improve Professionalism: A custom image shows that you care about details, making your site appear more credible.
Methods to Set the Social Sharing Image
There are several ways to ensure that the right image is displayed when your content is shared. Below are the most popular methods, each with its own advantages.
Using the Featured Image
The simplest way to set a social sharing image is by using the featured image setting in WordPress. Divi makes it easy to add a featured image to each post or page.
How to Set a Featured Image
- Step 1: In your WordPress dashboard, edit the post or page you want to update.
- Step 2: Locate the “Featured Image” box on the right side.
- Step 3: Click “Set Featured Image” and choose or upload an image that represents your content.
- Step 4: Click “Publish” or “Update” to save your changes.
Benefit: When you share the page on social media, the featured image is automatically used as the preview image, making this method quick and effective.
Using an SEO Plugin with Open Graph Support
If you want more control over your social sharing images, consider using an SEO plugin that supports Open Graph meta tags. Plugins like Yoast SEO, Rank Math, or The SEO Framework allow you to set a specific image for social media sharing.
Example with Yoast SEO
- Step 1: Install and activate Yoast SEO.
- Step 2: Go to SEO > Social in your WordPress dashboard.
- Step 3: In the Facebook tab, enable the “Add Open Graph meta data” option.
- Step 4: Set a default image that will display if no featured image is provided.
- Step 5: For individual posts, scroll down to the Yoast Social settings, click the “Social” tab, and upload a custom image for Facebook and Twitter if needed.
- Step 6: Update your post to save these settings.
Benefit: This method gives you the flexibility to override the featured image with a different picture, should you choose. It also helps if you want specific images for different platforms.
Using a Dedicated Open Graph Plugin
If you’re not using an SEO plugin, a dedicated Open Graph plugin like “Open Graph and Twitter Card Tags” can be a great alternative.
How to Use a Dedicated Plugin
- Step 1: Install and activate the “Open Graph and Twitter Card Tags” plugin.
- Step 2: Navigate to Settings > Open Graph in your WordPress dashboard.
- Step 3: Configure the plugin settings if necessary. You can set a default social image here.
- Step 4: When editing a post or page, scroll to the bottom to find the Open Graph meta box.
- Step 5: Upload a specific image for social sharing or leave it blank to default to the featured image.
- Step 6: Save or update your post.
Benefit: A dedicated Open Graph plugin is lightweight and focuses solely on managing social media metadata, making it simple to use without the extra features of a full SEO suite.
Debugging Social Sharing Images
Sometimes, even after you’ve set your social sharing image, the wrong image may appear when your content is shared. This is often due to caching issues on social platforms like Facebook.
Using the Facebook Sharing Debugger
- Step 1: Visit the Facebook Sharing Debugger.
- Step 2: Enter the URL of your post or page.
- Step 3: Click “Debug.”
- Step 4: The tool will show you what image and metadata Facebook has cached.
- Step 5: If the image is outdated, click “Scrape Again” to refresh the data.
Benefit: This tool ensures that any changes you make to your social sharing image are quickly reflected on social platforms.
Best Practices for Social Sharing Images
When selecting your social sharing image, keep these tips in mind:
- High Resolution: Use high-quality images that look great on all devices.
- Correct Dimensions: Check the recommended dimensions for each social media platform. For Facebook, images should ideally be at least 1200 x 630 pixels.
- Brand Consistency: Choose images that align with your brand’s style and color scheme.
- Relevant to Content: The image should reflect the content of the page or post. A mismatched image can confuse or deter potential visitors.
- File Size: Optimize your images for the web. Use tools to compress images so they load quickly without sacrificing quality.
Conclusion
Setting the right social sharing image on your Divi website is key to enhancing your brand’s presence on social media. Whether you choose to use the simple featured image method, an SEO plugin with Open Graph support, or a dedicated Open Graph plugin, these tools ensure that your shared content looks attractive and professional. With proper configuration and regular checks using tools like the Facebook Sharing Debugger, your website will always make a great impression when shared online.
By following these steps and best practices, you can improve user engagement, build brand consistency, and drive more traffic to your site. Happy sharing!