Make your social media posts accessible: How to add alt text

accessiBe Team
Last updated on February 5, 2026

In short:

Alt text is a short written description of an image that screen readers read aloud, making your social media posts accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. Every major platform—Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X—has a built-in field for it, and adding it takes less than a minute. This guide walks through what good alt text looks like and how to add it on each channel.

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Perplexity

XThe right image can make or break a social media post. What many marketers miss is that without alternative (alt) text, a meaningful share of your audience can’t actually engage with what they’re seeing. Alt text is a short description of an image that screen readers read aloud to people who are blind or have low vision—and writing it is one of the simplest ways to make your content inclusive.

When you write alt text for social media, keep these tips in mind:

Keep it short and concise.
Include any text that appears in the image.
Skip phrases like “image of” or “photo of”—that’s already implied.
Don’t repeat what the caption already says.

So what does good alt text actually look like? Take the image above as an example. The alt text should capture both what the image shows and what it says:

“A design canvas with the headline “We are proud to make accessibility part of how we build” selected inside a text frame. Collaborator cursors labeled Designer, Developer, Marketer, Content, and Growth surround the canvas. To the left, an alt text field displays the same headline as its description.”

Instagram

Instagram without alt text is like peanut butter without jelly. The platform runs on visuals, so alt text isn’t optional if you want everyone to engage. From the “Create new post” screen on desktop, here’s how to add it:

Upload your image and edit or filter it as needed.
On the right-hand panel, scroll down and expand the “Accessibility” section.
In the “Write alt text…” field, enter your description. (Instagram will offer auto-generated alt text, but writing your own gives you a more accurate result.)
Click “Share” to publish.

Instagram "Create new post" screen showing a design canvas image being uploaded, with the right-side panel expanded to the Accessibility section and a cursor hovering over the "Write alt text…" field.

Facebook

A picture says a thousand words—make sure all of yours come through. Here’s how to add alt text on Facebook:

Upload your image and open the “Photo Detail” editing screen.
From the left-hand menu, click “Alternative text.”
Facebook will offer auto-generated alt text. For a more accurate description, select the “Custom alt text” option and write your own in the text field.
Click “Save.”

Networking lands harder when everyone can engage with your content—especially the kind that sparks discussion in the comments. Here’s how to make sure every voice is welcome:

Upload your image to a new post to open the LinkedIn editor.
Below the image preview, click the “ALT” button.
Write your description in the “Alternative text” field.
Click “Save.”

X

X may be a platform built on words, but visual content moves fast and far there. To make sure your images reach everyone, follow these steps:

Upload an image to a new post.
On the image preview, click the “+ALT” button in the bottom corner.
Write your description in the “Describe this photo…” field.
Click “Post” to publish.

Alt text is for everyone

One last thing: if you publish through a scheduling tool, the steps above may not apply directly. Most scheduling platforms have their own alt text fields, so check how yours handles it before you queue your next post.

Alt text is a small, simple addition that makes a real difference for the millions of people who rely on screen readers. These are valuable voices, and they’re worth reaching.

Happy posting.

Frequently asked questions about adding alt text to social media posts

Q1.What is alt text and why should I use it on social media?
A1. Alt text is a written description that lets screen readers convey the content of an image to people who are blind or have low vision. Adding it makes sure your visual posts are meaningful and inclusive for everyone in your audience.

Q2. How long should alt text be and what should it include?
A2. Keep it brief—usually a sentence or two. Capture the essential elements or context of the image, include any meaningful text that appears in it, and skip phrases like “image of” or “photo of.”

Q3. Do major social networks support alt text, and how do I add it?
A3. Yes. Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X all offer built-in alt text fields when you upload an image. Each platform places the field in a slightly different spot, but the process is straightforward once you know where to look.

Q4. Can I rely on automatic alt text generators instead of writing my own?
A4. Automated descriptions often miss context or summarize inaccurately, so they shouldn’t be your primary solution. Writing your own gives you control over what users actually hear and preserves the meaning of your post.

Q5. Will adding alt text improve my SEO or reach?
A5. Alt text exists for accessibility, not search optimization. Platforms may use it for indexing, but its primary purpose is to communicate visual content to users with disabilities. Treating it as a keyword field reduces clarity and usability.