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To generate a website thumbnail with PagePeeker in WordPress, build an image URL with PagePeeker’s recommended V2 endpoint, URL-encode the page you want to capture, then use the resulting URL as an image source. You can add it in a Custom HTML block or wrap it in a shortcode for reuse. PagePeeker’s service documentation is global; India-specific billing, taxes, payment methods, and localized terms were not established, so check those details with PagePeeker before choosing a plan.
Build a PagePeeker V2 thumbnail URL
PagePeeker describes V2 as its current recommended version and says V1 is discontinued and redirects to V2. The API documentation’s direct-link pattern is:
http://{entrypoint}.pagepeeker.com/v2/thumbs.php?size={size}&code={code}&refresh={refresh}&wait={wait}&url={url}
Parameters shown in braces are optional where the documentation says so. For a basic embed, set a size and the target site URL. The provider’s free example does not require an account code. Read the PagePeeker Website Thumbnails API documentation for its current parameter details.
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For example, a small thumbnail of https://example.com/ can use this URL pattern:
http://free.pagepeeker.com/v2/thumbs.php?size=s&url=https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com%2F
Here, https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com%2F is the URL-encoded target. Encode the complete page address rather than inserting raw query-string characters such as &, which could be mistaken for parameters to PagePeeker. Use your intended entrypoint as documented by PagePeeker; its free example uses the free endpoint.
Choose a thumbnail size
| Parameter | Documented size |
|---|---|
t |
Tiny, 90 × 68 px |
s |
Small, 120 × 90 px |
m |
Medium, 200 × 150 px |
l |
Large, 400 × 300 px |
x |
Extra large, 480 × 360 px |
Premium accounts may have additional sizes. These are the standard sizes listed in PagePeeker’s API documentation.
Add the thumbnail to a WordPress page or post
Option 1: Use a Custom HTML block
- Open the page or post in the WordPress editor.
- Add a Custom HTML block where the thumbnail should appear.
- Paste an image element with your PagePeeker URL. Replace the example URL and alt text as appropriate:
<img src="http://free.pagepeeker.com/v2/thumbs.php?size=s&url=https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com%2F" alt="Website preview of Example" width="120" height="90" loading="lazy"> - Preview the page and confirm that the remote image loads and displays at the intended size.
The width and height attributes reserve the displayed dimensions; use values appropriate to your selected size. loading="lazy" can defer off-screen image loading in browsers that support it. The image itself is still served from PagePeeker, not uploaded to your WordPress media library.
Option 2: Create a reusable shortcode
If you control a child theme or a small site-specific plugin, you can create a shortcode that generates the image element. This is general WordPress implementation guidance, not a PagePeeker-provided or verified integration. Add code to a site-specific plugin or child theme rather than editing a parent theme, so a theme update does not overwrite it:
function my_pagepeeker_thumbnail_shortcode( $atts ) {
$atts = shortcode_atts( array(
'url' => '',
'size' => 's',
'alt' => 'Website thumbnail',
), $atts, 'pagepeeker' );
$allowed_sizes = array( 't', 's', 'm', 'l', 'x' );
if ( ! in_array( $atts['size'], $allowed_sizes, true ) ) {
return '';
}
Rank #3
$target_url = esc_url_raw( $atts['url'] );
if ( ! $target_url || ! in_array( wp_parse_url( $target_url, PHP_URL_SCHEME ), array( 'http', 'https' ), true ) ) {
return '';
}
$image_url = add_query_arg( array(
'size' => $atts['size'],
'url' => $target_url,
), 'http://free.pagepeeker.com/v2/thumbs.php' );
return '<img src="' . esc_url( $image_url ) . '" alt="' . esc_attr( $atts['alt'] ) . '" loading="lazy">';
}
add_shortcode( 'pagepeeker', 'my_pagepeeker_thumbnail_shortcode' );
Then insert a shortcode in the editor, replacing the example target:
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[pagepeeker size="s" url="https://example.com/" alt="Example website preview"]
The code restricts the size parameter to documented standard values and permits only HTTP or HTTPS target URLs. If you change the implementation, retain output escaping and validate input. To use an account code, do not expose it in this client-rendered shortcode: PagePeeker warns that a code disclosed to visitors can be used by third parties to consume account quota. Make authenticated calls server-side as described in its API documentation.
Choose an account option and understand the trade-offs
The following are PagePeeker service specifications and USD-listed prices shown on its pages when checked in 2026; they are not independently measured benchmarks. PagePeeker says typical rendering times differ by plan. Plan details can change, and the listed prices do not establish India-specific currency conversion, taxes, or billing terms.
| Option | Monthly API calls | Branding or backlink | Maximum size | Cache period | Typical rendering time | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free branded | No monthly limit listed | PagePeeker branding | 480 × 360 px | 20 days | 30–60 seconds | Free; no expiration listed |
| Free unbranded | 100,000 | No thumbnail branding; backlink required | 480 × 360 px | 20 days | 10–20 seconds | Free |
| Basic | 100,000 | Not stated on the checked pricing page | 480 × 360 px | 7 days | 10–20 seconds | $5.99/month |
| Advanced | 1,000,000 | Not stated on the checked pricing page | 480 × 360 px | 5 days | 5–15 seconds | $39.99/month |
| Premium | Unlimited as listed | Not stated on the checked pricing page | Unlimited as listed | Customizable | Under 5 seconds | Custom pricing |
PagePeeker’s pricing and Free Thumbnails pages list the free-plan terms and figures. Its FAQ says the free unbranded plan’s required backlink must be on the account site’s homepage and validated. Premium also lists mobile and tablet captures, full-length screenshots, and HTML-to-PDF conversion. Check the official pages for current terms before selecting a plan.
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Estimate API usage before embedding thumbnails widely
Do not assume that a page view always costs exactly one API call. PagePeeker says each of the following counts as one call: displaying an already generated thumbnail, generating a thumbnail that is not cached, checking whether an image is available, and calling any exposed API. These operations may occur in different combinations in an integration. The monthly quota does not roll over. PagePeeker says its premium pay-as-you-go option is for customers above five million API calls per month.
Estimate usage by counting the operations your implementation triggers, not just the number of WordPress pages. For example, a page showing several thumbnails can cause more usage than a page showing one; an integration that checks readiness before displaying may add another call. The FAQ is the source for these counting and quota terms.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you use a plugin or your own embed?
A small custom embed or shortcode gives you direct control over the documented image URL and avoids depending on an old integration, but it requires someone to maintain the code. A plugin can be more convenient if it is actively maintained and compatible with your WordPress version; verify those points before installing it.
The WordPress.com Pagepeeker plugin listing documents historical shortcode syntax, including [pagepeeker size="t" url="google.com" alt="Google"], and the available size values. However, it shows a last update of February 19, 2013 and compatibility tested up to WordPress 3.5.2. That listing is evidence of old shortcode syntax, not confirmation that the plugin works with current WordPress. The WordPress.org listing for Hover Preview describes a PagePeeker API-key integration, but current maintenance and compatibility have not been verified. Do not treat either listing as a current recommendation without checking its status, recent updates, and compatibility with your installation.
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For a generated screenshot rather than a PagePeeker thumbnail, ScreenshotNeo offers a website screenshot API and MCP server. One GET request can return a PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF. See the ScreenshotNeo website and API documentation. Example cURL request:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://example.com/ -o shot.webp
ScreenshotNeo removes cookie and consent banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; each step can be turned off. Bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are never billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots, and the Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Sign up for ScreenshotNeo’s free plan.
Troubleshoot common problems
- The image URL displays as broken: Confirm that the target is a complete HTTP or HTTPS URL and that its query-string characters are encoded. Check the constructed PagePeeker URL directly in a browser and ensure the selected endpoint and V2 path match the current API documentation.
- The thumbnail is not the size you expected: Check the
sizevalue against the documented standard codes. CSS can scale an image on the WordPress page, but that does not change the source thumbnail’s generated size. - An account’s quota is being consumed faster than expected: Review whether the page displays thumbnails repeatedly, generates uncached images, checks readiness, or makes additional API calls. PagePeeker counts each listed operation separately.
- A free unbranded account is not meeting its terms: Confirm that the required backlink appears on the account site’s homepage and has been validated, as PagePeeker’s FAQ specifies.
- A legacy plugin fails after a WordPress update: The cited Pagepeeker listing reports old compatibility information. Check active maintenance and current compatibility; switch to a documented URL embed or maintained integration if necessary.
- Your own site should not be captured: PagePeeker documents blocking its robot with these lines in
robots.txt:User-agent: PagePeeker
Disallow: /
See PagePeeker’s guidance on the PagePeeker robot for the site-owner control.
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