Open Graph Checker
It's always a good idea to double-check social previews before sharing a link. A preview link can look messy when the preview image is wrong, the title is missing, or the description is blank. This happens because platforms like Facebook, X, and LinkedIn use Open Graph tags to generate link previews. This free Open Graph Checker is an essential tool for anyone who builds or manages websites. Try it below by entering a URL.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Open Graph protocol?
The Open Graph protocol is a set of rules and tags used in a webpage's HTML <head> section. These tags tell social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn exactly what title, image, and description to display when someone shares a link to that page.
Why do I need a tool to check my Open Graph tags?
Social media platforms often "cache" or save the first version of your link preview. If you made a mistake in your Open Graph tags when the link was first shared, the platforms will continue to display the error until the cache is cleared. A checker tool allows you to instantly test and debug your tags before sharing them, ensuring they look perfect the first time.
What are the most important Open Graph tags?
The three most critical tags are og:title, og:image, and og:description. The og:title sets the headline, og:image provides a visual thumbnail, and og:description gives a short summary. Without these, a shared link will look generic and uninviting.
Why isn't my preview image showing up?
This is a very common issue! It's usually due to an incorrect image URL, a file size that is too large, or improper image dimensions. A preview tool will tell you if the image URL is broken or if there are any other errors. Social media platforms often have specific size and aspect ratio requirements for images.
Do Open Graph tags affect SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?
Open Graph tags are not a direct SEO ranking factor for Google or other search engines. However, they indirectly impact SEO by improving the appearance of your links on social media, which can lead to more clicks and traffic. This increased traffic can signal to search engines that your content is valuable, potentially boosting your rankings over time.
The tool shows the correct preview, but the live social media post is still wrong. What's happening?
This is likely a caching issue. Social platforms scrape and save the information for a URL the first time it's shared. To force them to update, you need to use their official debugging tools to "scrape" the link again. For example, Facebook has a "Sharing Debugger," and X has a "Card Validator" for this purpose.