Adding alt text to images should be common practice for everyone. Why? Alt text is text that describes an image and is added to the <img> tag in HTML. A blind or low-vision user might be using a screen reader to read your LinkedIn post. If your post contains an image without alt text, the screen reader will only be able to read that it is an image, which isn’t very helpful.
Another benefit of adding alt text to images is if your image doesn’t load on the page. When this happens, the alt text will display instead so that the user can at least have an idea of what the image should be.
Many companies are making it easier to add alt text to images in their apps. To make it even easier, I’ve created a step-by-step guide with screenshots for how to add alt text to images in LinkedIn.
- Start writing a new post. After you’ve added your text, select the Add image icon at the bottom of the Add post window.
- Select the image to upload and then select ALT at the bottom of the window.
- The Add alt text section opens. Add your alt text in the space provided and then select Add.
- You can tell (although the color contrast could be better) that alt text has been added to the image because the ALT text is green. Select Next.
- Your post now has your text and your image with alt text. If you need to edit the alt text, select the pencil icon above the image. This opens the Add alt text section again. If your text looks good and you are happy with the alt text, select Post.
Pretty easy, right? In future posts, I’ll show you how to add alt text in other apps.
P.S. If you forget to add alt text to your image before you post your update, that’s okay! You can go to the post, select the horizontal ellipsis in the top right, select Edit post, and add the missing alt text to your image.
