WhatsApp does not use a special image format. It fetches Open Graph tags from a public URL and draws a small card in the chat. If the bubble has a title and no picture, treat it like any other OG failure — then account for aggressive caching.
Why is my WhatsApp link preview not working?
WhatsApp shows no picture when og:image is missing from the first HTML response, uses a relative path, points at a host that blocks anonymous GET, or when an old cached card is still attached to that URL. Confirm View Source on production, open the image URL in a private window, then paste the link into a new chat after you fix the file.
What size should a WhatsApp preview image be?
Use 1200×630 as the working default. Type must be larger than a desktop Facebook card because the bubble is tiny. Details live on the WhatsApp image size page.
| Check | Pass condition |
|---|---|
| Raw HTML | Contains absolute og:image |
| Image URL | 200 in private window, no login |
| Format | PNG or JPG (avoid SVG for og:image) |
| Cache | New path or new chat after fix |
Steps that usually fix it
- Emit tags at build time or on the server — not only in client JavaScript.
- Host the PNG on a stable https URL without hotlink rules that block empty Referer headers.
- Prefer a new filename when artwork changes; WhatsApp caches hard.
- Cross-check with Facebook Sharing Debugger — WhatsApp often fails for the same fetch reasons.
- Validate tags with the Link Preview Checker.
Export a landscape PNG from the OG Image Generator with large type before you retest the chat.
Last updated: September 21, 2026