First Impressions: The Power of Social Share Images

When someone shares your website link on Facebook, X (Twitter), or LinkedIn, a preview image appears next to the link. That’s your social share image — and it’s often the very first thing people notice about your business online.

If your link shows a random photo, cropped logo, or — worse — no image at all, you’re missing a valuable branding opportunity.

Here's an example of a mistake Project LevelUp made when choosing the wrong size:

Let’s fix that.

1. What Is a Social Share Image (and Why It Matters)

Your social share image (also called an “OG image” or Open Graph image) is the visual that appears when your link is shared on social platforms or messaging apps.

It’s more than a picture — it’s a digital business card.

A well-designed share image can:

• Instantly communicate your brand style

• Build trust and curiosity

• Increase clicks and shares

• Help your posts look professional on every platform

Project LevelUp tip:

Most visitors will see your social image before they ever visit your website — so treat it like your homepage header in miniature.

2. The Perfect Size and Format

To look sharp across all major platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, etc.), use the following specs:

• Recommended size: 1200 x 628 pixels

• Aspect ratio: 1.91:1

• File type: JPG or PNG

• File size: Under 300 KB (for faster loading)

Project LevelUp has the fully customizable tools to make your social share images powerful.

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3. What to Include on Your Social Share Image

A clean, readable design always wins. Here’s what works best:

• Your logo – small but visible (top or bottom corner)

• A bold headline – short, high-contrast, and easy to read on mobile

• Consistent brand colors – match your website and social posts

• Optional visual element – like a photo, icon, or subtle texture

• No clutter – keep text short (6–8 words max)

Project LevelUp tip:

Think of it as a “mini ad” for your content — your goal isn’t to explain everything, it’s to get the click.

4. Keep It Consistent Across Pages

Each page or blog post can have its own social share image, but make sure your style stays consistent. That visual repetition builds recognition and credibility.

A simple system could look like:

• Gradient background (your brand color)

• Title of the page/ post in bold white text

• Small logo in the bottom right

Once you build a template, reuse it for every page — just update the text and make all images related to the content on the page.

Limited on time, don’t know where to start or unsure how it all works? That’s normal.

Let Project LevelUp do the work so you can focus on growing your business.

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