Facebook automatically adds alternative text (alt text) to images you upload, but the descriptions aren’t always accurate. You can make your images more accessible to visually impaired users by writing accurate alt text for your images. Here’s how.
How to Add Alt Text Using the Mobile Facebook App
To add alt text to an image you’re uploading using the Facebook mobile app, open the app on your smartphone, compose a new Facebook post, and then select a photo from your device to upload as you normally would. In the post preview, tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the image.
A menu will appear at the bottom of your screen. Here, tap the “Edit Alt Text” option.
You’ll now be on the Change Alt Text screen. In the text box below your image, enter the text that accurately describes the image you’re posting. After that, tap “Done.”
The alt text is now added to the photo.
You can also add alt text to your Twitter images, as well as most other big social media sites. This makes social media more fun for everyone.
RELATED: How to Add Alt Text to Images on Twitter
How to Add Alt Text Using the Desktop Facebook Site
You can also add alt text to your images on Facebook from your computer. Visit Facebook from any browser of your choice and then begin creating a new post with an image as you normally would. Next, in the post preview, click “Edit” in the top-left corner of the image.
The Photo Detail window will appear. Here, click “Alternative Text” at the bottom of the menu in the left-hand pane.
The Alternative Text menu will expand. Click the bubble next to the “Custom Alt Text” option to select it, and then enter the alt text for your image in the text box.
Now click the blue “Save” button at the bottom of the window.
The alt text is now added to your photo.
Adding alt text to your photos helps your friends who rely on screen readers to understand what the image is about. You can also add alt text to your images in Microsoft Word to make your professional documents more accessible as well.
RELATED: How to Add Alternative Text to an Object in Microsoft Word
