A link preview image is a thumbnail that appears when you share a webpage link on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or messaging apps. These images help attract more clicks by providing a visual preview of the page content. Using a well-designed and relevant link preview image can improve engagement and increase your click-through rate (CTR). Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to add or update link preview images using OzSpeed’s hPanel.
Step 1: Access the Page Editor in hPanel #
To start adding a link preview image, open the Page Editor in hPanel.
- Log in to hPanel at ozspeed.com.au.
- Go to Website Builder > Edit Site.
- Select the page for which you want to add a link preview image.
Tip: #
- Choose important pages first, such as the homepage, blog posts, or product pages, as these are often shared on social media.
Step 2: Navigate to SEO & Social Sharing Settings #
The SEO & Social Sharing Settings panel is where you can add a link preview image.
How to Access Social Sharing Settings: #
- Click on the Settings Icon (gear icon) for the selected page.
- Go to the SEO & Social Sharing tab.
- Scroll down to the Social Sharing Image section.
Tip: #
- If you don’t see the social sharing settings, make sure the page is set to be indexed and shared in the SEO settings.
Step 3: Upload a Link Preview Image #
Choose a relevant and eye-catching image for your link preview. The image should be high-quality and visually represent the content of the page.
How to Add a Link Preview Image: #
- Click on the Upload Image button in the Social Sharing Image section.
- Select an image from your computer or choose one from your Media Library.
- Click Apply and then Save.
Tip: #
- The recommended size for link preview images is 1200×630 pixels for optimal display on most social media platforms.
Step 4: Add Alt Text for the Preview Image (Optional) #
Adding alt text to the preview image helps improve SEO and accessibility.
How to Add Alt Text: #
- Click on the uploaded image to open the image settings.
- Enter a brief, descriptive Alt Text (e.g., “OzSpeed hosting dashboard screenshot”).
- Click Save.
Tip: #
- Use relevant keywords in the alt text, but keep the description natural and concise.
Step 5: Preview the Link Sharing Appearance #
Before publishing, preview how the link will appear when shared on social media.
How to Preview: #
- Click on the Preview button in the SEO & Social Sharing panel.
- Check the title, description, and image preview.
- Make any adjustments if necessary, then click Exit Preview.
Tip: #
- Use tools like the Facebook Sharing Debugger or Twitter Card Validator to see how your link will appear on different platforms.
Step 6: Publish the Changes #
Once you’re satisfied with the preview image and settings, publish your updates.
How to Publish: #
- Click Publish in the top right corner of the editor.
- Confirm the changes.
Tip: #
- Announce the update on social media to encourage users to share your page with the new preview image.
Step 7: Clear Social Media Cache #
Social media platforms often cache link preview data. Use debugging tools to update the cached image and metadata.
How to Clear Social Media Cache: #
- Facebook: Use the Facebook Sharing Debugger (https://developers.facebook.com/tools/debug/).
- Enter the page URL and click Debug.
- Click Scrape Again to update the image.
- Twitter: Use the Twitter Card Validator (https://cards-dev.twitter.com/validator).
- Enter the page URL and click Preview Card.
- LinkedIn: Use the Post Inspector (https://www.linkedin.com/post-inspector/).
- Enter the page URL and click Inspect.
Tip: #
- Use these tools regularly after updating the preview image to ensure the changes are reflected on social media.
Troubleshooting Tips #
- Link Preview Image Not Showing Up:
- Ensure the image meets the recommended size (1200×630 pixels) and format (JPEG or PNG).
- Use the debugging tools to clear cached data on social media platforms.
- Wrong Image Displayed in Link Preview:
- Double-check the Social Sharing Image settings in hPanel to ensure the correct image is selected.
- Clear your website cache in hPanel and your browser cache.
- Low Engagement on Social Media:
- Consider updating the preview image to a more eye-catching design.
- Make sure the title and description are compelling and accurately describe the content.
Additional Tips: #
- Consistency Is Key: Use a consistent style for your preview images to maintain brand identity across social media platforms.
- Optimize for Mobile: Ensure the image is easily viewable on both desktop and mobile devices, as a large portion of social media traffic comes from mobile users.
- Test and Update Regularly: Regularly review and update your link preview images based on performance and changes to your website content.
