It seems I’m not the only one facing this issue… Oh! There has been a fellow user who reported it on the Facebook Developer Forum. The timing of the discrepancy is also quite recent (within the last two weeks, I noticed it this week); and they’ve covered the key points and impacts I intended to mention.
Issue Description
Recent alterations in how Facebook manages OG image file names, especially those with non-English characters, have implications for webmasters.
One of the reports from other users
“Why have blog posts featured Images with ‘non-English’ file names recently stopped showing when shared on Facebook? We noticed it about 2 weeks ago. If I change the image file name to English letters, the image shows. Why has this change suddenly occurred with no warning? We have hundreds of shared posts on Facebook, all of which have non-English featured image file names.”
by Scott on 開發人員互助論壇 – Meta for Developers (facebook.com)on Mar 19, 2024
Alphanumeric file names have long been preferred for their compatibility and fewer technical issues. However, occasional deviations occur, especially in regions where non-English languages are prevalent. Even Hebrew characters, as reported on Facebook’s official forum, encounter difficulties.
Comparative tests show Facebook’s struggle with OG image retrieval compared to platforms like LINE. This abrupt change challenges webmasters, requiring a review of best practices.
Solutions
For uploaded images
- Rename the most necessary images on the Media Library with one of the appropriate plugins.
Plugin option: Phoenix Media Rename – WordPress plugin | WordPress.org
Remember to uncheck “Update Revision” in its setting page after activated to prevent it runs too many unnecessary procedures on related revision. - Upload new images with the file names in English to replace the old ones.
Plugin option: Enable Media Replace – WordPress plugin | WordPress.org
I don’t like it, so I encourage you to try to find an alternative one and then share what your preference is.
Before uploading the images in the future
- While definitive solutions are pending, webmasters may consider stricter enforcement of alphanumeric file names or exploring alternative integration methods.
Plugin option: Media File Renamer: Rename for better SEO (AI-Powered) – WordPress plugin | WordPress.org if you prefer to run a solution with a plugin that can automize the process when images are uploading without be aware of the file name yourself.
By remaining vigilant and adaptable, webmasters can navigate these changes and ensure seamless user experiences.
