To change the social sharing image on Squarespace, you can customize it for individual pages, blog posts, or products, or set a default site-wide image that acts as a fallback.
Understanding Squarespace Social Sharing Images
A social sharing image, also known as a social thumbnail, is the image that appears when you share your website's pages, blog posts, or product links on social media platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, or Pinterest. A compelling social image is crucial for attracting clicks and representing your brand effectively online.
Squarespace allows you to control these images at different levels: specific pages, blog posts, products, and a site-wide default.
Changing the Social Sharing Image for a Specific Page
Setting a custom social sharing image for an individual page ensures that a unique, relevant visual accompanies that specific page link when shared.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Open the Pages panel: In your Squarespace site editor, navigate to the Pages panel.
- Access Page Settings: Hover over the title of the specific page you want to edit, then click the gear icon (settings) that appears next to it. This will open the page's settings.
- Go to the Social tab: Within the page settings, click on the Social tab.
- Upload Your Image: You can either drag your desired image directly into the image uploader area or click the Upload an Image button to select a file from your computer.
- Save Changes: After uploading, click Save to apply the new social sharing image to that page.
This image will now be used whenever that specific page's URL is shared on social media.
Setting a Site-Wide Social Sharing Image (Fallback)
Your site-wide social sharing image is a default image that Squarespace uses if a specific page, blog post, or product doesn't have its own custom social sharing image set. It acts as a fallback to ensure your site always has a visual when shared.
How to Set the Site-Wide Image
- From your Squarespace Home Menu, go to Design.
- Click on Site-wide Social Sharing (or similar wording, depending on your Squarespace version).
- Upload your preferred default image to the designated area.
- Click Save to apply this image as your site's default social share thumbnail.
Customizing Social Images for Blog Posts and Products
For content types like blog posts and products, you can also set specific social sharing images. This is essential for e-commerce stores and blogs to showcase relevant content.
For Blog Posts
- Edit the Blog Post: Go to your Pages panel, navigate to your blog page, and then edit the specific blog post you wish to update.
- Access Post Settings: Within the blog post editor, look for the Settings tab or an Options tab in the panel that typically slides out from the right.
- Upload Social Image: Locate the "Social Image" or "Thumbnail Image" section.
- Upload your desired image.
- Save/Publish: Click Save or Publish to apply the changes to your blog post.
For Products
- Edit the Product: Go to your Pages panel, navigate to your Shop page, and then edit the specific product you wish to update.
- Find Social Image Setting: Within the product editor, look for a section specifically labeled "Social Image" or "Thumbnail." Sometimes, this is under an "Options" or "Marketing" tab.
- Upload your desired image.
- Save Changes: Click Save to update your product's social sharing image.
Optimal Social Sharing Image Specifications
Using the correct image dimensions and file types is crucial for ensuring your social sharing images look crisp and display correctly across various platforms.
| Aspect | Recommendation | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended Size | 1200 pixels wide x 630 pixels high | This size is widely accepted by most social media platforms and provides a good balance for visibility without being too large. |
| Aspect Ratio | 1.91:1 | This aspect ratio is ideal for preventing cropping on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. |
| File Type | JPG or PNG | Both formats offer good quality; JPG is generally smaller in file size, while PNG supports transparency (though not typically needed for social sharing). |
| File Size | Under 500 KB (ideally) | Smaller file sizes ensure faster loading times when shared, improving user experience. |
| Important Content | Centered | Place crucial text and branding elements in the center of the image to avoid being cut off by different platform displays. |
Troubleshooting and Verifying Your Social Image
Sometimes, even after setting a new social sharing image, an old or incorrect image might appear when you share your link. This is usually due to social media platforms caching old data.
Clear Social Media Caches
Social media platforms store information about your website's links to load them faster. When you update your social image, you often need to tell these platforms to clear their cache and fetch the new information.
- Facebook Sharing Debugger: Use the Facebook Sharing Debugger to preview how your link will appear and to clear Facebook's cache for your URL. Simply paste your URL and click "Debug," then "Scrape Again."
- X (Twitter) Card Validator: For X (formerly Twitter), use the X Card Validator. Enter your URL, and click "Preview Card" to force X to refresh its data.
Re-share the Link
After using a debugger, try sharing your link again on the social platform. The new image should now appear correctly.
Why a Custom Social Sharing Image Matters
A well-chosen social sharing image is a powerful tool for your online presence:
- Brand Consistency: It helps maintain your brand's visual identity across all platforms.
- Increased Click-Through Rates: Visually appealing images are more likely to grab attention and encourage users to click on your link.
- Professional Appearance: A custom image makes your shared content look more polished and trustworthy.
By taking the time to set up your social sharing images correctly, you enhance your website's visibility and appeal across the vast landscape of social media.
