How to use the Open Graph Protocol to share web pages as social objects

Submitted by Matt on Wed, 19/10/2011 - 5:57pm

The Open Graph Protocol helps to make each web page a social object. What this means is that information can be put in a web page that can be used by a social networking website to accurately share what the page is about with others. The benefit to you when using the Open Graph Protocol on a post to Facebook or Google Plus is that you have control over what information is shared.

First you are going to need the Open Graph Protocol meta tags enabled on your web page.

Next complete the Open Graph Protocol meta tags with information about your page. As a guide you might set type as article, title with the heading used for the post and description with a summary of what the post is about.

Finally share your post. When using Facebook or Google Plus to share a post I generally copy and paste the URL of the web page into the share prompt. With Facebook this is "What's on your mind" and with Google Plus this is "Share what's new". After I paste the URL I wait for a short time. During this time I do not hit enter. After a couple of moments Facebook or Google Plus query the URL (your web page) and extract the Open Graph Protocol information. What I generally do next is remove (backspace out) the URL and write a short teaser about having a look at what I just posted.

Do you use use the Open Graph Protocol to share web pages as social objects? leave a comment on Google+ and share how you use the Open Graph Protocol.

Would you like to know more or ask a question?

Feel free to ask a question on Twitter, Facebook or using the contact form. You can also subscribe to websitePlus enews to get more hints, resources, how-to's and other informative information about social media and website strategy for small business.