Open Graph Tags

Technical & Infrastructure

Meta tags that control how content appears when shared on social media platforms like Facebook.

Definition

Open Graph (OG) tags are HTML meta tags placed in the `<head>` section of a webpage that control how that page appears when its URL is shared on social media platforms, messaging apps, and other services that generate link previews. The protocol was originally created by Facebook in 2010 and has since become the universal standard for link previews across the web. OG tags define four core properties: `og:title` (the headline shown in the preview), `og:description` (the summary text), `og:image` (the preview thumbnail), and `og:url` (the canonical link). Additional properties like `og:type`, `og:site_name`, and `og:locale` provide further context. Without OG tags, platforms attempt to guess what to display by scraping the page, which often produces broken images, truncated text, or irrelevant content.

Why It Matters

Every link shared on social media generates a preview card. That card is the first and often only thing people see before deciding whether to click. A well-configured OG image, clear title, and compelling description can multiply click-through rates compared to a generic or missing preview. For publishers distributing [flipbooks](/glossary/flipbook) through social channels, the preview card acts as a miniature advertisement for the content. A broken or bland preview wastes the visibility that the share provided. OG tags also affect how links appear in messaging apps like WhatsApp, Slack, and iMessage, meaning they influence click behavior far beyond social media feeds.

How It Works in FlipLink

FlipLink's [SEO and social previews](/features/seo-and-social-previews) feature lets you configure OG tags for each publication. You set a custom title, description, and preview image through the publication settings, and FlipLink generates the correct `og:title`, `og:description`, `og:image`, `og:url`, and `og:type` meta tags automatically. This means every shared flipbook link displays a polished, branded preview card without requiring any HTML editing. The OG image can be your flipbook's cover page or a custom graphic designed for social sharing.

Related Terms

Payment Gateway

A service that processes online payments, like Stripe, enabling document sales through FlipLink.

PDF.js

Mozilla's open-source JavaScript library that renders PDF files directly in web browsers.

Progressive Web App (PWA)

A web application that works offline and can be installed on devices like a native app.

Responsive Design

Automatically adapting layout and content to work well on screens of all sizes and devices.

Responsive Embed

An embed code that automatically adjusts the flipbook size to fit any container or screen width.

Related Features

Seo And Social Previews

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