Sharing to LinkedIn fails with a 403

[Jaiji]

Hi, I’m having an issue where I can share posts on Facebook and X with correct previews but all shares on LinkedIn are getting a 403. The site uses Autoptimize and WP-Optimise (cache). Is this likely to be a BPS thing?

Example from the security log after trying the LinkedIn post inspector:

[403 GET Request: September 20, 2024 - 12:07 pm]
BPS: 6.9
WP: 6.6.2
Event Code: BFHS - Blocked/Forbidden Hacker or Spammer
Solution: N/A - Hacker/Spammer Blocked/Forbidden
REMOTE_ADDR: GDPR Compliance On
Host Name: 108-174-5-113.fwd.linkedin.com
SERVER_PROTOCOL: HTTP/1.1
HTTP_CLIENT_IP: GDPR Compliance On
HTTP_FORWARDED: GDPR Compliance On
HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR: GDPR Compliance On
HTTP_X_CLUSTER_CLIENT_IP: GDPR Compliance On
REQUEST_METHOD: GET
HTTP_REFERER:
REQUEST_URI: /news/community-empowerment/tackling-carbon-footprint-through-community-composting/
QUERY_STRING:
HTTP_USER_AGENT: LinkedInBot/1.0 (compatible; Mozilla/5.0; Apache-HttpClient +http://www.linkedin.com)

[AITpro Admin]

Use the fix here > https://forum.ait-pro.com/forums/topic/textrazor-downloader-403-error/#post-43081

[Jaiji]

Hi, many thanks for that. I already had that custom code in place but I followed the instructions on the post you linked to just in case – same problem, cannot display a preview.

[Jaiji]

I’ve tried it with BPS disabled and a standard htaccess in place, same problem. Unless you are aware of anything BPS can do which might help I think I’ll have to take it up with the host.

[AITpro Admin]

Does everything actually work or not. Whatever LinkedIn tool you are using to check the URL’s might be blocked. Not a big deal if things are actually working.  Is this some sort of News Feed thing?

I tested the LinkedIn Post Inspector tool and it is not blocked on my web host.  So my guess would be ModSecurity or some other web host security protection thing is blocking the tool on your host.

[Jaiji]

Hi. No it’s still not working as intended. Posts need to be shareable on LinkedIn (in a feed) but no preview appears. It came up in the BPS log so I thought it worth asking here. It seems it is indeed a ModSecurity thing, the host has taken some steps and it’s a different error now, ‘undefined’. Awaiting further replies from them. Thanks for your attention.

[AITpro Admin]

If you want me to jump in then no problem. Contact me directly > info@ait-pro.com

[Jaiji]

Thanks for your willingness to help. Turns out is was a ModSec rule, it just took a couple of attempts. Sorry to have troubled you.

[Author]

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