Featured Image
The primary image associated with a page, used in cards, social previews and rich results.
Key takeaways
- Featured Image is the primary image associated with a page, used in cards, social previews and rich results.
- Set a 1200x630 og:image for every page, with the page title legible at small sizes.
- Avoid: using one generic image for every page.
What is Featured Image?
Featured images should be compressed to under 200KB, sized 1200x630 for og:image, and have descriptive alt text. They influence CTR more than rankings.
The image shown when a page is shared is controlled by the Open Graph protocol.
Why Featured Image matters for SEO in 2026
A page's featured image appears wherever it's shared: social posts, chat apps, some search features and AI tools that show previews. A clear, branded image makes those links far more likely to be clicked.
For a wider view of where this fits, see our full SEO glossary or explore the SEO and GEO service we run for clients.
How to apply Featured Image on your site
Knowing the concept is only half of it. Work through these steps in order to put Featured Image into practice on your own pages:
- Set a 1200x630 og:image for every page, with the page title legible at small sizes.
- Compress images and use descriptive alt text on the page itself.
- Test how links look in the platforms your audience uses.
Common mistakes to avoid
Most sites that struggle with Featured Image fall into the same traps. Check your pages against each of these before moving on:
- Using one generic image for every page.
- Putting key text near the edges, where platforms crop it.
- Uploading huge, uncompressed files.
Questions about Featured Image
The primary image associated with a page, used in cards, social previews and rich results.
A page's featured image appears wherever it's shared: social posts, chat apps, some search features and AI tools that show previews. A clear, branded image makes those links far more likely to be clicked.
Start here: set a 1200x630 og:image for every page, with the page title legible at small sizes. Then compress images and use descriptive alt text on the page itself.
The most common is using one generic image for every page. Another is putting key text near the edges, where platforms crop it.