How to write alt-text
Writing alt-text (alternative text) has become part of our everyday interactions on social media.
Some platforms, such as Bluesky, understand how important alt-text is. There is even a setting that reminds you to add alt-text before posting an image or graphic.
Why using alt-text is important
Alt-text is a brief text description of images or graphics. These descriptions can be read by people who can’t see the details of the image. Alt-text can also be read by screen readers to verbally describe the image to those who are blind or visually impaired. This increases the number of people who can appreciate your graphic or photo.
It also shows that you care about making your messages accessible to others.
Why people don’t write alt-text
The reasons people give for not writing alternative text have been the following:
(a) too time-consuming
(b) too difficult
(c) not something I need
(d) something I forgot about
Is this you? Here are my answers:
(a) it doesn’t have to be
(b) it doesn’t have to be
(c) yes you do
(d) make it mandatory and you won’t forget.
But where do you start learning how to write alt-text? Right here.
How to write alt-text
Look at the image.
Take a moment to describe the image to yourself.
What is it?
What is happening?
What are the stand-out details?
What does it say?
Now, write it out. Keep it simple.
Here's mine:
A brown stripey cat sits in front of a teacup and an open book. They have turned around as if hearing someone calling for them. The text reads: What? I'm reading - www.marywyrd.com
Improving your alt-text writing abilities
It doesn’t take long to write a few lines about an image.
If the image is mostly text, you can copy/paste the text from your draft document into the alt-text box.
With any writing, practice will improve your ability to write concise alt-text. You can add your personality into the writing. The key is to focus on your descriptive writing skills while also keeping on message.
But there is a second option.
Get someone else to write alt-text for you
If you don’t want to write alt-text but you want to have alt-text, you can hire someone to write it for you.
Delegate writing alt-text to your assistant or hire someone to support your business and include writing alt-text to the list of jobs they will complete for you.
Reach more people by being inclusive and accessible with a few extra words. It’s a win/win.