The Social Share Image: Why You Need It and How to Set It Up
“Hey, send me that link”.
You have probably said that a time or two. I’m sure someone has said it to you. Sending links is a regular part of everyday life. We use them to:
-Share a funny TikTok or,
-Give the details for a new product or,
-Send over a business referral
Copy. Paste. Send. Easy.
But what you may have missed is that little image that gets sent right along with your link. That image is a teaser of what’s to come. It seems so trivial, but in fact it is an important piece of your marketing. And yet, too many businesses are not taking advantage of it or don’t know how to.
So today, we’re talking about the social share image.
What is the social share image?
The social share image is a graphic that appears when you share a link in a text, email, or on a social media platform like LinkedIn or Threads.
Usually this graphic is set up on the back end of your website through your page’s social sharing or SEO settings. When it’s not set up , the platform may select a random image from your page. Or worse, it may show no image at all. You may even get the broken image placeholder filled with sadness.
But why should you care about a social share image anyway?
The social share image may be one small graphic, but it can have a mighty punch.
It extends your brand
If the link that was shared is the first impression someone will have of your business, the social share image gives a quick preview of your brand, and what they can expect from clicking the link. Your brand colors, photo style, visual personality, and message can be highlighted all before someone even visits your site.
It gives people context.
Your social share image can tell the viewer a lot about what to expect after clicking the link. A blog post can feature its headline. A workshop page can show the event title and date. A product page can highlight the item itself. A service page can pitch benefits of the offer. A social share image ensures people are not clicking into a mystery. They have a little more context before they decide whether your link is worth their time.
It makes the link more noticeable.
Let’s compare your social share image to a dining experience. Perhaps you don’t need a sauce with your meal. But if you get one, it’s fine if it’s in a plastic cup on the side. You didn't come for the sauce anyway.
But what if the sauce elegantly decorates your plate? Perfectly framing your meal, making everything look too delicious to even want to eat. Your meal just became an experience, worthy of pictures to be shared with others.
Your social share image can make the link sharing an experience someone wants to see more of. Presentation matters.
In the digital age, where most people are finding businesses to support via social media and AI searches, your social share image is no longer nice to have. It's a must.
OK, now that you know why, let’s talk about how to set up your social share image.
Find your page’s SEO or social share settings.
Start by locating the SEO settings for the specific webpage, blog post, service page, product page, or event page you want to update.
Design horizontally.
A good general size for your image is 1200 X 630 pixels (px). I have also used the 1920 x1080 px presentation size from canva successfully. However, I recommend checking your website guidelines to see what will be best for your site.
Keep the design simple and easy to read.
Don’t try to put everything into the graphic. This is a preview, not a flyer. If using a photo, make sure that the picture is clear and fits well within the space allotted AND that the viewer will connect it to the context of the link quickly. Text needs to be big, bold and easy to read.
Customize your graphics to individual pages.
Every one of your website pages can have its own social share image. This is great for blogs, classes, and product shops because then you can use your social share image to highlight the specifics for that page while still maintaining alignment to the brand.
Do not forget the page title and description.
Your image is only one part of the link preview. Pair it with a clear page title and a concise description that explains what people will find when they click and this also helps search engines understand what the page is about.
Who knew one little graphic meant so much!
Remember you never know how someone will find your website. you want every opportunity to be one that is intentional and impactful. So the next time somebody asks you to “send the link,” make sure your links are set to impress.
Thanks for stopping by!
I'm Kijaffa Hall, Founder & Chief Strategist of KZ Hall Consulting, a boutique digital marketing agency helping you show up online with confidence!
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