This page helps explain why it's important to use alt text when posting images on Bluesky, best practices, and tips.
![[Cover-WhyUseAltText-v2-flat-800.jpg|600]]
# Why It's Important To Use Alt Text With Your Images
When posting images, try to add alt-text.
I turn on my alt-text reminders in [Accessibility Settings](https://bsky.app/settings/accessibility) so I don't forget. When I do forget or am unable to for some reason, I try to add a useful description in a reply to my first post.
![[Accessibility_Alt_Text_Require.jpg|600]]
## Here are just some of the ways alt-text is useful:
- Helps visually impaired readers who use screen readers.
- Can help the neurodivergent.
- Helps your post gets discovered re: search, custom feeds.
- When Internet is super-slow, people will see the alt-text in place of unloaded images.
- Alt-text can be translated.
- If text in images is hard to read, alt-text can help.
- Alt-text helps clarify the intent of the image.
> [!reminder] Advice from the alt-text community
> I asked the Bluesky community for links to useful threads and posts about using alt-text. [You can browse the thread here](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com/post/3lacnr5iom622).
As @[oedipusnj](https://bsky.app/profile/oedipusnj.bsky.social) said on Bluesky, "Any description no matter how delivered is better than none."
## How to add alt text in your image on Bluesky.
After uploading an image to your post, before pressing "Post," click on the ALT button on your image. That will open up a window where you can type in. your alt text.
![Image of an image with the Descriptive Alt Text field beneath, where descriptive text has been added.](AltText-example-alt-text-Bluesky.jpg)
## If you see someone neglect to add alt-text, don't be a jerk.
Instead of scolding them, add a useful image description in a reply. "If you want to actually help visually-impaired people, just HELP. Don't be an asshole," says [Adrienne](adrienneleigh.bsky.social) on Bluesky. Adrienne [points out](https://bsky.app/profile/adrienneleigh.bsky.social/post/3l3lv52ga7d2n) that some people cannot easily do it because of bad device access, neurodivergence, or other reasons.
Another great suggestion from Adrienne: If you are going to share something and you see it contains an un-described image, you can quote-share it instead, and add a description yourself in the post.
> [!NOTE] This is NOT an official Bluesky resource!
> Be aware that this is a living vault, very much a work-in-progress. It is NOT meant to be a 100% accurate and finished resource. Please note that these tips are just based on my own experience. What works for me may not work for you. Feel free to send me feedback via [[Contact Debbie]]
>
## Blog posts about using alt-text on Bluesky
[Hi, Bluesky. It's time we had a chat about alt text](https://eustace.link/hi-bluesky-its-time-we-had-a-chat-about-alt-text/). - by @eustace.link.
Also see [Hi, Bluesky. Let's have another chat about alt text](https://eustace.link/hi-bluesky-lets-have-another-chat-about-alt-text/) and [Hi, Bluesky. Your post is NOT too long for alt text](https://eustace.link/hi-bluesky-your-post-is-not-too-long-for-alt-text/), also by Eustace.
## Bluesky threads about using alt-text
[A Simple Guide To Providing Useful ALT on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:np4m554rufivddoswmjmv6wa/post/3jywm7v5vtl2y) - by @oedipusnj.bsky.social
[Thread about writing effective alt and descriptive text for art on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/mannequinrentals.help/post/3koa2xtpwou26) - by @mannequinrentals.help
[Great explainer graphic on why alt-text is useful](https://bsky.app/profile/dremenec.com/post/3l7m5k5yfbk2a) - by @dremenec.com
## Alt text resources
[How to write alt text and image descriptions for the visually impaired](https://www.perkins.org/resource/how-write-alt-text-and-image-descriptions-visually-impaired/) - Perkins School For The Blind
[Writing Effective alt text and descriptive text for art](https://mannequinrentals.help/2024/03/21/an-attempted-guide-to-writing-effective-alt-and-descriptive-text-for-art/) - A Feral Mannequin Production
[How to write alt text for amateur art](https://veroniiiica.com/how-to-write-alt-text-for-amateur-art/) - Veroniiiica: Veronica With Four Eyes, who has [many excellent posts about Alt Text](https://veroniiiica.com/media-accessibility/alt-text/), including [how to write alt text for digital comics](https://veroniiiica.com/how-to-write-alt-text-digital-comics/).
[Tips for Writing Alt Text (HTML & Accessibility)](https://rightbadcode.com/tips-for-writing-alt-text) - by Homer Gaines
> [!warning] Apologies for the lack of alt text for images in this Guide
> I'm still learning, and am trying to figure out a reliable way of adding alt text via Obsidian. I've been trying to edit the markdown by hand, but am having issues. 😢 I may end up just adding the text description after each image.