Automate OG image generation with ogimage.org

Rendering screenshots as OG images

Read about a smart use case on using screenshots in Open Graph images by Stagetimer.

Published on 2024-03-04 by Lukas Hermann

At Stagetimer we use a screenshot API to automatically generate page previews for Open Graph meta tags.

Our customers are professionals in the live video and broadcasting space who often use Discord or Slack as communication platform. We want to make sure the generated previews for our links are useful and make for a polished look and feel.

Stagetimer Slack

With ScreenshotOne I can add signed links to all my static generated pages with a size of 1200×627, perfect for social. The ScreenshotOne caching policy guarantees the image stays up to date and the signature makes the link temper-save.

This means I can generate preview images of every page without the need of a dedicated backend or worker.

Stagetimer code example

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the questions people often ask about the Open Graph protocol and Open Graph social cards.

What is Open Graph?
Open Graph is a protocol that allows web pages to become rich objects in a social graph. Essentially, it is a set of meta tags added to the HTML of a webpage that provides information about the content of the page, such as the title, type, URL, image, video, and site name.
How is the Open Graph protocol used?
The information specified in the Open Graph meta tags is used by social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest to display a preview of the webpage when it is shared on their platforms.
What is an Open Graph checker?
An Open Graph checker, or validator, is a tool that inspects your webpage to verify that the Open Graph tags are correctly implemented. It checks for the presence of necessary tags and whether they contain appropriate values that will effectively represent your content on social media platforms.
How to debug the Open Graph protocol?
To debug the Open Graph protocol, ensure correct OG tags are implemented, use validator tools like Facebook Sharing Debugger, Twitter Card Validator or our Open Graph tester to identify and fix errors, and clear social media caches to reflect changes.
What is the purpose of Open Graph images?
The purpose of Open Graph (OG) image is to provide a visual preview of the content being shared on social media platforms, enhancing engagement by giving users a quick understanding of what the linked page is about. Check out our OG image examples for inspiration.
What mediums support the Open Graph protocol?
The Open Graph protocol is supported by social media platforms, messaging apps, search engines, content aggregators and readers, email marketing tools, and bookmarking and content sharing services.
Where I can find Open Graph Image templates?
OpenGraphExamples.com is a valuable resource for anyone seeking inspiration for designing Open Graph image templates. The website showcases a variety of examples that demonstrate how effectively designed Open Graph images can enhance social media visibility and engagement.