Last updated on September 28th, 2024 at 06:30 am
If you have spent time posting pictures on social media, you might have seen a small box asking you to add “alt text.”
Maybe you skipped it, or maybe you wondered what it even means. So, today, let’s talk about what alt text is!
Alt text, which means “alternative text,” is a simple way of making your social media posts reach more people and get noticed. If you don’t know how to use it, but no worries, this guide explains it.
You’ll learn what alt text does, why it’s useful, and how to use it. We’ll also share some tips for using it well.
What is Alt Text?
Alt text is a short description of a picture that you add when sharing it on social media or websites. Most people won’t see this text. It’s for those who use screen readers – tools that speak the content on a page for people who can’t see.
Those with visual issues use these tools to hear descriptions of pictures. Without alt text, they wouldn’t know what the picture shows!
Alt text works like telling someone what’s in the picture if they can’t look at it. Also, if the picture doesn’t load, at least the viewer sees a description of what should be there.
It helps people with disabilities, but it also helps with search engines like Google. When you add alt text, search engines understand your picture better. This means more people might find your post online.
Why Alt Text is Important on Social Media
Social media is a place full of images. Photos, memes, products, or quotes – they all count. However, some users cannot see these images.
Alt text is really important because it helps make social media friendlier for everyone.
Think about someone using a screen reader to check their feed. They might see a post without alt text so their screen reader doesn’t say what the picture shows. It’s like missing half the chat! By adding alt text though more people join in even if they cannot see the picture.
Putting alt text also shows you care about all your followers and put effort into including them. Plus it helps your posts get noticed by search engines which could help you too!
How to Add Alt Text to Popular Social Media Platforms
Different platforms have their own ways to add alt text. But it’s usually easy! Let’s see how to do it on a few popular apps
On Instagram when posting a picture you’ll find “Advanced Settings” before you share it. There’s a part called “Write Alt Text.”
Tap it and you can type your alt text. Forgot to do it before posting? No problem! You’re able to edit the post later to add the text.
Twitter is super simple for adding alt text. After uploading your picture there’s an “Add description” option. That’s where the alt text goes. Twitter even tells you the character limit so you know how much to write!
For Facebook, tap the “Edit” button after uploading the image. It will show you the option to add alt text. Facebook often tries adding alt text automatically but it’s better to write your own.
LinkedIn is for professional posts. Adding alt text there is a smart idea. When you upload a picture, press “Add Alt Text” below the image. Type your description and you’re done.
TikTok
Though TikTok doesn’t have an alt text feature for videos, describing what’s important in the captions works just as well. Got key visuals in your video? Write a short explanation in the caption to help more people enjoy and understand it.
Even though adding alt text seems like a small task, it really improves things for many.
Simple Tips for Writing Useful Alt Text
After learning where to add alt text, let’s see how to write good ones. Crafting helpful descriptions becomes easy with some focus.
Here’s how to make your alt text clear and useful.
Describe What You See
Alt text should explain what’s in the image so others grasp the meaning. Is there a sunset over the sea? Type exactly that. Is there a dog with a silly hat? Describe it as if you’re creating a clear image in someone’s mind. But don’t go too far – keep it simple.
Be Specific
Details matter. Instead of just saying “a flower,” say “a red rose in bloom.” Instead of “a person,” write “a woman smiling while holding a coffee cup.” This really helps others imagine the picture.
Think about Context
What’s the image there for? Think about why you are sharing it. Is there a major point viewers should know?
If you are posting a product photo, don’t just describe the product. Include it with your post. For a new product, say something like “New cream launch – a jar of night cream surrounded by lavender.”
Don’t Use “Image of” or “Picture of”
No need to begin alt text with “image of” or “picture of.” Viewers already know it’s an image or their screen reader has informed them. Start describing the image right away.
Keep It Simple and Direct
Alt text should describe the image but not drag on. Short sentences work best while still telling enough to understand the image. One or two sentences usually do the job.
Best Practices for Using Alt Text
Now that you know how to write it, here’s how to use alt text well on social media. Following these tips will help your alt text work better and stay clear for everyone.
Think About Who Will See It
When writing alt text, think about who will be looking at it and what they should know. Posting something for a certain group? Give details that fit their needs.
Doing a post about fashion? They’ll probably want to read about the clothes or colors.
Don’t Cram in Keywords
Some people think adding lots of keywords will help with search results.
While a little does help, too many can make it less helpful. Focus more on describing the image clearly. Too many keywords just confuse things.
Write Alt Text for Harder Images
Some images show more complex things like charts or graphs. For these, you need to explain the key points. Maybe it’s a chart? List the main ideas in the alt text so it’s clear without needing the visual.
Check Your Alt Text for Accuracy
Always review alt text before posting to ensure it describes the image correctly. Mistakes or missing details could confuse people. Take a moment to check before clicking “publish.”
Think About the Purpose of the Image
Ask yourself, “Why is this image here?” Let that reason guide your alt text. Is the image funny? Make sure your description shows humor. Is it giving information? Focus on the most important message the image shows.
Avoid Repetition
Don’t just copy what’s in the caption or the post. Use alt text to add something new or describe something the post didn’t explain.
How Alt Text Helps Your SEO
Alt text helps people, but it also really helps search engines rank your content higher. Adding alt text gives search engines more details about your images. This helps them figure out what’s in your pictures and where they should show up in search results.
Search engines don’t see images like humans do. Instead, they rely on the alt text you add to understand what’s in the image. Having clear descriptions makes it easier for search engines like Google to sort and display your images when users look for related things.
This year, SEO will matter more than ever. Using alt text gives your content a simple way to rank better.
Conclusion
Alt text is an easy way to help your audience and improve visibility. By writing good alt text for your images, you support people using screen readers but also increase your chances of getting noticed by search engines.
Whether on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, those few moments spent on alt text could really make a difference.
PrimeGate Digital is a Result Driven Blog that strives to go beyond ‘Conventional Digital Marketing’ through digital innovation and performance marketing. We have experience working with world class brands and products.
