What’s with the image descriptions on my social media posts?

[image error]Image: black square with gold text that reads: “What’s with the image descriptions on my photos?” And “carlyfindlay.com.au”

Do you have a social media account? Then this blog post is for you!

What’s with the image descriptions on my socials?

You might have noticed I’ve recently made a big effort to do image descriptions on my photos on social media. Wait! Are you even following me on social media?!

Pause…

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

…Recommence!

I describe what the photo looks like in each post.

Why?

They’re for people who can’t see the image – they might use a screen reader (reads out text to them) or just want the image described.

I used to do this in my old comms job at a disability NFP, but wasn’t doing it on my own social media. I realised that my audience probably needs image descriptions and I want to be a good ally to people with different accessibility needs. Plus, I talk about access in my work so I really do need to walk the talk. So I have really been trying. Usually I’m straight forward but sometimes I’m cheeky – like here with Kerri Sackville when I talked about our boobs.

And image descriptions improve accessibility and SEO – if you’re into that . How great that image descriptions improves your reach AND provides inclusivity and accessibility to disabled people? Savvy AND altruistic!

it doesn’t cost any money to write image descriptions – only a little time – and once you get good at them, it will be quick sticks.

Plus, writing them makes you focus on what’s happening in the image.

The good news?

You don’t even need to be disabled to provide them! Just by writing them on your social media posts and web content, you’re making a whole new audience feel welcome at your space of the Internet.

What do image descriptions look like?

They are a short description  in the body of text that accompanies an Image on social media. You might want to put the image description in the first comment – and state that in the body of the text. I usually preface the description with ‘Image:’.

Here is an example of an image description on one of my Instagram posts.

I posted this photo.

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The text underneath the photo was:

“One of my usual poses. Laughing. Thanks for capturing this @prod.haus2. My dress is @witcheryfashion.