Social sharing images
Learn how social sharing images work in PlanetShopping. Improve how your website, products and pages appear when shared on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, WhatsApp and other social media platforms.
Purpose
Social sharing images help create a strong first impression when your website or products are shared online.
Instead of displaying random images or unattractive previews, PlanetShopping allows you to define dedicated social sharing images that represent your brand professionally.
Well-designed sharing images can improve click-through rates, increase engagement and encourage more visitors to your online store.
What You’ll Learn
After reading this guide you’ll know how to:
- What social sharing images are
- Why they are important
- Which platforms use them
- How to create effective sharing images
- Recommended image sizes
- Best practices for improving engagement
What Are Social Sharing Images?
Social sharing images (sometimes called Open Graph Images) are the images displayed when someone shares your website or a product on social media.
For example, when a customer shares one of your products on:
- X (Twitter)
- Messenger
- Slack
the platform will display:
- Featured image
- Page title
- Description
- Link to your website
A professional image encourages more people to click and visit your store.
Why They Matter
People are naturally drawn to images.
A well-designed social sharing image can:
- Increase clicks
- Improve engagement
- Strengthen your brand
- Encourage customers to share your products
- Improve your store’s professional appearance
Think of your social sharing image as your digital shop window on social media.
Recommended Image Size
For the best results, we recommend:
1200 × 630 pixels
This size works well across most major social media platforms.
Use:
- JPG
- PNG
Keep file sizes optimised for faster loading.
Tips for Great Social Sharing Images
Use:
✔ High-quality photography
✔ Clear branding
✔ Minimal text
✔ Strong product imagery
✔ Consistent colours
Avoid:
✖ Blurry images
✖ Excessive text
✖ Multiple competing products
✖ Low-resolution graphics
Choosing the Right Image
For your homepage:
Use your strongest brand image.
For product pages:
Use the primary product image.
For blog articles:
Use an image that supports the article topic.
For category pages:
Use an image representing the product collection.
Social Platforms Supported
PlanetShopping creates sharing information compatible with major social media platforms including:
- Instagram (via links)
- X (Twitter)
- Messenger
- Slack
- Discord
As new platforms adopt Open Graph standards, your sharing information will continue to work automatically.
Best Practices
Update your social sharing images regularly.
Use seasonal campaigns for:
- Christmas
- Black Friday
- Mother’s Day
- Father’s Day
- Valentine’s Day
- End of Financial Year
Fresh imagery helps keep your brand engaging.
SEO Benefits
While social sharing images do not directly improve search rankings, they can increase:
- Website traffic
- Social engagement
- Brand awareness
- Product visibility
These factors can contribute to stronger overall online performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can every page have a different social sharing image?
Yes.
Each page or product can have its own dedicated image.
What happens if I don’t upload one?
Social platforms may choose an image automatically, which may not represent your page well.
Can I change images later?
Absolutely.
Update your sharing images at any time.
Will my logo appear?
If it’s included in your image design, yes.
Many businesses add subtle branding without overwhelming the image.
Why doesn’t Facebook show my new image?
Social platforms often cache images.
After updating your image, it may take some time before the new version appears. Some platforms also provide tools to refresh cached previews.
Related Articles
Ready to Improve Your Store’s Visibility?
Every time someone shares your store, products or content, they’re promoting your business.
Professional social sharing images help ensure your brand always makes a great first impression.
Continue learning by reading: Learn More About Google Analytics or explore PlanetShopping’s built-in Marketing tools to help grow your business.