How to design OG images that get more clicks

Choose one idea for the image

Use a short headline or a clear visual that reflects the page. A link preview is not a substitute for the article title and should not try to summarize every point in the content.

Check the mobile preview

Social cards are often seen in narrow feeds. Use large type, clear contrast, and a composition that still reads when reduced; move secondary details out rather than shrinking everything to fit.

Use branding as an identifier

Include a logo or consistent brand cue where it helps the reader recognize the source. Keep it subordinate to the page’s topic so the preview does not become a generic company banner.

Avoid a crowded interface collage

A screenshot of a whole product dashboard can turn into illegible noise at card size. Crop to one meaningful element or use a clean illustration that gives the subject more room.

Match the image to the page metadata

The preview, title, and description should make the same promise. Check the rendered card on the platforms where the URL will be shared and update cached previews when necessary.

A simple layout that survives reduction

Place a short topic line in one region, one visual or product detail in another, and a modest brand cue where it will not compete. At reduced size, the headline should remain the clearest element and the image should still look like the page it represents.

Before export, shrink the design to the width of a typical feed card. If the title needs several lines or the interface becomes a patchwork, remove detail rather than shrinking all the elements.

Measure the page, not just the artwork

A social image can support recognition, but click-through also depends on the post copy, audience, platform, and topic. Compare links with similar distribution and page intent instead of attributing a traffic change to the image alone.

Keep the destination page accurate and fast. A compelling card that leads to a mismatched headline or broken mobile layout undermines the expectation it created.

Compare concepts without changing the promise

Try one visual variation at a time: headline placement, color contrast, or the choice of supporting image. Keep the topic and destination consistent so a comparison does not accidentally test different messages.

Do not treat a short-lived increase in clicks as proof that the artwork caused it. Audience, post copy, posting time, and channel reach also affect link activity.

Review the full card on a phone

Inspect the image together with the page title and description in a narrow feed. Check that the card still has a clear subject when the preview is cropped and that the headline does not repeat the title word for word.

Use contrast and scale to establish hierarchy, not extra decorative badges. Every added label competes for the few seconds a reader spends scanning the preview.

Use the destination headline as a reference

The OG graphic can shorten or visualize the page topic, but should not make a larger promise than the H1 and article. A visitor should recognize the same subject when the preview opens into the page.

If the social post already carries a headline, avoid repeating it verbatim in a large image. Use the image to add a product detail, example, or visual cue instead.