Facebook Post - Image Aspect Ratio

[TCSlaguna]

Hello Everyone!

I guess I'm up with the first question! Have you tried to post to Facebook from the Item Library? If so, how do you deal with the aspect ratio of images? 

When I post, this is the aspect ratio: 

You can see the image is cut off. This is not ideal for many of our products. 

Interestingly, while trying to write this post, I tried with another product and for the first time saw this aspect ratio: 

Clearly this one retains the square aspect ratio, so none of the image is cut off. 

So again, if you post to Facebook from the Item Library, how do you deal with the aspect ratio of images? Do you post to Facebook another way? 

@JessPoynter  @Twiggy  @DinaLRosenberg  @HC_Charlie   @homeprogreen  
@AdamB  @ElisabethB 

[homeprogreen]

Got nothing on this one. FB TOS prohibits me from posting sales posts because my products are age restricted 

[Twiggy]

Yea we sell a candle called Cannabis by PF Candle CO - FB were adamant we could not post anything about this. Even though it was just Hemp.

[Bigbothways]

Yeah they will not let me put on cbd oil either. 

[HC_Charlie]

I’ll need to run a test; I didn’t even know you could post from the item library. I usually just post from Facebook directly or Instagram, and when I compose the post it will then suggest items to tag from my link inventory. 

[Twiggy]

Do you mean when you copy a checkout link and post ? Facebook includes the text in the bottom of the post so the image is cropped - similar to the way square uses the image in POS store layout on an IPad. In Square retail  the images are square. We always post and tag the product.  Our go to promote or link to site is instagram and then this posts to facebook.  

[AdamB]

What is the aspect ratio and size of the source images for the items in your screenshot? I'm guessing the different results are because the images are shaped differently.

[TCSlaguna]

I'm using Item Library -> Edit Item -> Share Link -> Facebook Post

All my images loaded into my Square Item Library are 1:1, so it shouldn't be a contributing factor in the different results. 

I suppose the image size of one could be larger than the other. I don't have the images on my computer anymore to compare. However, still not ideal behavior to act differently when posting. I do not want to reduce the image quality in my online store just so the Facebook post looks nicer. 

[JessPoynter]

I think what @AdamB means is double check your source photo from what you inputted in your initial catalog on Square. So, go back to check the image that you uploaded for your Square catalog because that’s what’s essentially getting ported over to your Facebook catalog. 

When you check the initial photo, look at your overall dimensions instead of the aspect ratio. Bigger photos (even with a 1:1 aspect ratio) might not auto condense when converted over to Facebook. 

Something to consider 🤔

[AdamB]

That's what I was wondering, @JessPoynter. I would also take a look at this StackExchange thread about Facebook cropping images, @TCSlaguna. One of the answers includes a workaround that someone was using.

[ElisabethB]

I've seen inconsistent results with sharing links to FB (and other social networks) over the years, particularly during my time with Weebly. It was usually a Facebook thing...but not always. 😄
Would you mind sharing your links here, @TCSlaguna? I could take a look and test a couple things. 🙂 

[TCSlaguna]

Hi @ElisabethB 

Good to know. Thanks for taking a look! 

Which links? The ones found here? 

Please let me know and I'll send them over.

Thanks!

[ElisabethB]

Hi! Yes, just the ones you were trying to share to FB in your original post here. 🙂

[TCSlaguna]

Buddha Wall Plaque Antique: 

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/2D4GRJE60P078/checkout/QCT3J6OC3YTTGHJMGSFZO3YV 

Buddha Head - Gray: 

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/2D4GRJE60P078/checkout/RVJNTVD4I5ZV734NVWYTQCWK 

Thanks!

[ElisabethB]

Thanks, @TCSlaguna - I just took a look and I agree with @JessPoynter's comment that it is the image sizes. Though they're both square/1:1 ratio, the grey Buddha image is 350x350 and the wooden wall plaque image is 640x640. Because the grey Buddha image is smaller, Facebook is using a different layout that places the image alongside the text/link. Apparently this is how it is supposed to work, according to this article from their developer resources. Here's a little TL;DR if you don't want to read the whole thing:

• The minimum allowed image dimension is 200 x 200 pixels.
• The size of the image file must not exceed 8 MB.
• Use images that are at least 1200 x 630 pixels for the best display on high resolution devices. At the minimum, you should use images that are 600 x 315 pixels to display link page posts with larger images.

So they actually prefer that odd ratio for shared images, which isn't really ideal for people selling online where 1:1 is most common and looks the best in a store layout. 😕

[TCSlaguna]

Facebook..... 😖😂

For some time I was uploading pictures with empty spaces on top and bottom, like this: 

But that messes up the online store image, and then I have to go back and change the image. 

If showing only part of the image is how it is supposed to work, that is how I will do it.

As @AdamB mentioned here: https://www.sellercommunity.com/t5/Square-Online-Discussion/How-to-Write-a-Great-Product-Description... , I should persuade them with a great product description to get them to click the link to see the whole image.  

Thanks to everyone for the help!!!!!!!!!!!

[ElisabethB]

Yeah, it's pretty crummy to have to choose between images that work for your store (IMO, much more important) or images that work well for Facebook's really specific preferred image ratio. 🙄
A not-very-awesome workaround would be to share the checkout link manually at Facebook and use a special image just for that so it works well there. 😅