Why Your OG Image Is Not Showing on Facebook (7 Fixes)
Step-by-step solutions to fix missing Facebook link preview images
You've shared a link on Facebook, but the preview image is missing or showing the wrong picture. This is a common problem that affects millions of shared links daily. In this guide, we'll explain why this happens and provide 7 proven solutions to fix it.
Why Does This Happen?
Facebook uses Open Graph (OG) tags to determine how your link preview appears. When the og:image tag is missing, incorrect, or inaccessible, Facebook either shows no image or picks a random one from your page.
Common Causes
- Missing og:image meta tag in your HTML
- Image URL is relative instead of absolute
- Image is too small (must be at least 200×200px)
- Image file is too large (over 8MB)
- Image is not accessible to Facebook's crawler
- SSL certificate issues
- Facebook has cached an old version
7 Solutions to Fix Your OG Image
1. Add or Fix Your og:image Tag
Make sure your HTML head contains the og:image tag with an absolute URL:
<meta property="og:image" content="https://example.com/image.jpg" />
<meta property="og:image:width" content="1200" />
<meta property="og:image:height" content="630" />
<meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" />2. Check Image Size Requirements
Facebook requires images to meet these specifications:
- Minimum size: 200×200 pixels
- Recommended size: 1200×630 pixels for optimal display
- Maximum file size: 8MB
- Supported formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF (no SVG!)
3. Use Absolute URLs
Always use absolute URLs starting with https:// - relative URLs won't work:
Wrong
/images/preview.jpgCorrect
https://example.com/images/preview.jpg4. Ensure Facebook Can Access Your Image
Check that your image isn't blocked by:
- robots.txt file
- Server-side authentication
- Firewall or CDN restrictions
- Geographic restrictions
5. Clear Facebook's Cache
Facebook aggressively caches link previews. To force a refresh:
- Go to Facebook Sharing Debugger
- Enter your URL
- Click 'Debug' then 'Scrape Again'
- Wait a few seconds and check the preview
6. Fix SSL/HTTPS Issues
Facebook requires HTTPS for og:image URLs. If you're using HTTP or have SSL certificate issues:
- Switch to HTTPS URLs
- Ensure your SSL certificate is valid
- Check for mixed content warnings
7. Use LinkPreview for Instant Fixes
If you can't modify your website's code, LinkPreview lets you create custom link previews instantly:
- No coding required
- Works with any URL
- Custom image, title, and description
- Works on all social platforms
Fix it in 30 seconds
Create your own link with any thumbnail - no coding required.
Create free linkTesting Tools
Use these official tools to debug your OG tags:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Facebook show a different image than my og:image?
Facebook may cache an older version. Use the Sharing Debugger and click 'Scrape Again' to force a refresh.
Can I use SVG images for og:image?
No, Facebook doesn't support SVG. Use PNG or JPEG formats instead.
How long does Facebook cache link previews?
Facebook caches previews indefinitely until you manually clear it using the Sharing Debugger.
What if I can't edit my website's HTML?
Use LinkPreview to create custom link previews without any coding.
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Use LinkPreview to create custom link previews with optimized Open Graph tags.
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