The image is the first thing people see — in the blog list and on Facebook. Here is how to set it up properly.
What a featured image is
It is the post's main image: it appears in the blog list, usually at the top of the article, and — most importantly — it is the image Facebook takes when the post is shared. If your post looks bare on Facebook, it usually has no featured image.
How to set it
In the editor, the right sidebar → Featured image → Set → upload or pick from the library. Done.
Dimensions that work
- 1200×630 pixels — the ratio Facebook and LinkedIn like; no cut-off heads or text
- Under 200-300KB — compress before uploading; a 5MB phone photo drags the blog down
- All featured images in the SAME ratio — otherwise the blog list jumps and looks messy
Images inside the text
- An Image block every 300-400 words — text without images tires readers
- Width as needed: 800-1000px is plenty for content
- A caption under the image — it gets read often, use it
- Alt text — mandatory: describe what is shown. For screen readers, Google Images, and when an image fails to load.
Where to find images
Best — your own. If not: free libraries with a commercial licence (Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay). NEVER images from Google Search — that is someone's work, it can cost you a fine, and everyone recognises the same stock photo.
If Facebook still shows an old image
Facebook caches. Open the Sharing Debugger, paste the post address and click Scrape Again — the image refreshes instantly.