# Test the whole link preview, not only the image file

> A well-designed Open Graph image can still fail if the page metadata is incomplete, the image URL is blocked or a social network has cached an older preview. Treat the image, HTML metadata, public URL and platform cache as one publishing system.

- Canonical page: [https://imagefromtext.com/guides/test-open-graph-image](https://imagefromtext.com/guides/test-open-graph-image)
- Related tool: [Open the Open Graph image generator](https://imagefromtext.com/open-graph-image-generator)

## Publish a complete image definition

Upload the exported image to a stable public HTTPS URL, then add `og:title`, `og:description`, `og:url` and `og:image` to the page head. The Open Graph protocol also defines useful image properties for secure URL, MIME type, width, height and alternative text.

Use an absolute image URL, not a path that only works relative to the page. Confirm that the image opens in a private browser window without authentication, cookies or a blocked hotlink request.


## Use a predictable preview canvas

A 1.91:1 landscape image is a dependable starting point for link previews. ImageFromText exports 1200 × 627, which matches LinkedIn’s documented website sharing guidance. Keep important words and logos inside generous margins because other services may crop or overlay the preview differently.

- **Keep the headline short:** The page title appears beside the preview on many surfaces, so the image does not need to repeat every word.
- **Describe the visible image:** Set `og:image:alt` to a useful description rather than a filename or promotional slogan.
- **Declare dimensions and type:** Width, height and MIME type help parsers understand the asset before or while fetching it.
- **Avoid text at the edges:** Allow for crops, rounded containers and interface overlays.

## Test after the final URL is live

1. **Open the page source:** Confirm the deployed canonical page contains the expected Open Graph values and only the intended primary image.
2. **Open the image URL directly:** Check status, content type, HTTPS access and the final dimensions.
3. **Run platform inspectors:** Use the LinkedIn Post Inspector and Meta Sharing Debugger to request a fresh fetch and review parser warnings.
4. **Share a private test:** Inspect desktop and mobile previews before a campaign or announcement makes the URL public.

## When an old preview refuses to change

First confirm the live HTML and image URL have changed. Then ask the platform inspector to fetch the page again. If a cache remains stubborn, publish the revised image under a new versioned filename and update `og:image`; do not change the canonical page URL merely to refresh a picture.


## Primary references

- [The Open Graph protocol](https://ogp.me/)
- [LinkedIn Help: make a website shareable](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a521928)
- [LinkedIn Post Inspector](https://www.linkedin.com/post-inspector/)
- [Meta Sharing Debugger](https://developers.facebook.com/tools/debug/)