Guide to Meta OG Tags: Optimizing Social Metadata
Quick Answer: Meta OG tags are HTML meta elements (og:title, og:type, og:image, og:url) that control how your content appears when shared on social media. Add them to your
<head>section. Note: og:keywords does NOT exist—focus on og:title and og:description instead.
Understanding Meta OG Tags
Meta OG tags (Open Graph tags) are the foundation of social media optimization. They tell platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter exactly what your page is about.
Essential OG Meta Tags
To get started, you need these four core tags:
og:title: The headline for your content.og:type: The type of object your content is (e.g., website, article).og:image: The image URL that represents your page.og:url: The canonical URL of your page.
The Truth About Meta Property OG Keywords
A common question is: does meta property="og:keywords" exist?
The short answer is no. The Open Graph protocol does not officially support a keywords tag. While some developers try to use it, search engines and social platforms ignore it. Focus your efforts on the og:title and og:description instead.
How to Implement OG Meta Tags
Add these tags to the <head> section of your HTML:
<meta property="og:title" content="Your Catchy Title" />
<meta property="og:description" content="A brief summary of your page" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://yourdomain.com/image.jpg" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://yourdomain.com/page-url" />
Pro Tip: Automatically generate these tags using our Meta Tag Generator.
Pros and Cons of Using OG Meta Tags
Pros
- Full control over social appearance: Define exactly how your content looks when shared
- Easy implementation: Simple HTML meta tags in the head section
- Universal support: Works across Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and more
- Improves CTR: Professional-looking shares get more clicks
Cons
- Requires manual setup: Each page needs its own tags
- Image requirements: Need properly sized images (1200x630)
- Platform caching: Changes may take time to reflect
- No direct SEO impact: Only affects social sharing, not search rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 4 required OG tags?
The four essential Open Graph tags are: og:title (headline), og:type (content type), og:image (preview image URL), and og:url (canonical URL). These are the minimum required for proper social sharing.
Does og:keywords exist?
No, og:keywords is not part of the official Open Graph protocol. Social platforms and search engines ignore it. Use og:title and og:description to include relevant keywords naturally.
What's the difference between og:title and title tag?
The title tag is for search engines and browser tabs, while og:title is specifically for social media sharing. They can be different—og:title can be more casual or engaging for social audiences.
How long should og:description be?
Keep og:description between 60-200 characters for optimal display. Facebook typically shows around 60-90 characters, while LinkedIn may display more.
Do I need og:url if I have a canonical tag?
Yes, both serve different purposes. The canonical tag is for search engines, while og:url tells social platforms which URL to associate shares with. They should typically match.