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og:image URLs Are Not Absolute

og:image meta tags must use absolute URLs; relative paths break social media previews.

By Seoxpert Editorial · Published

Why it matters

Social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter require og:image to use absolute URLs. If a relative path is used, shared links will not display rich previews, reducing engagement and visibility. This impacts how your content appears when shared online.

Impact

Leaving this unresolved results in plain link previews instead of rich cards on social platforms.

How it's detected

Automated crawlers scan meta tags for og:image and flag any value that is not a fully qualified absolute URL.

Common causes

  • •Using relative paths for og:image in meta tags
  • •CMS templates that generate relative URLs by default
  • •Lack of awareness about Open Graph requirements
  • •Incorrectly configured site base URLs

How to fix it

Update your og:image meta tags to use absolute URLs, including the protocol (http/https) and domain. For example, use 'https://example.com/image.png' instead of '/image.png'. If your CMS allows, set a base URL or use plugins/extensions that ensure absolute URLs are generated for Open Graph images.

Code examples

Incorrect: Relative URL

<meta property="og:image" content="/slow-device-performance.png">

Correct: Absolute URL

<meta property="og:image" content="https://danluu.com/slow-device-performance.png">

FAQ

Why does og:image need an absolute URL?

Social media scrapers do not have the page context and require a full URL to fetch the image for previews.

Will a relative og:image URL work on any platform?

No, major platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter require absolute URLs for og:image.

How can I make sure my CMS outputs absolute og:image URLs?

Check your CMS settings or use plugins/extensions to ensure Open Graph tags use absolute URLs.

Does the protocol (http/https) matter in the og:image URL?

Yes, always include the protocol to ensure the image is accessible to scrapers.

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