The history of alt text goes back to 1993. The alt attribute was introduced for HTML 1.2 to be used for text-based browsers, which load faster by not loading most of the graphic content.
This was a big deal when bandwidth connections were super limited.
This is because graphics require more bandwidth to load quickly due to being larger files (compare a .txt file with a .jpg file).
Folks who remember using the internet in the '90s might also have intentionally forgotten "lag" and images that took forever to load if they loaded at all.
Thus, the alt attribute was created to provide alternate access to the relevant content of graphics that users might not see, for whatever reason, so they can still use a site or page.
The alt attribute accepts text input (thus, "alt text") and displays for sighted users in the place of an image.
In 1999, with HTML 4.1, the alt attribute became required for img and area tags.
Even though this is a really old standard at this point, with lots of documented best practice, I personally took many, many web dev classes through 2015 and none of them ever taught me about the alt attribute.
This might go some way to explaining how even people who are professionals at creating websites and web content generally know and understand very little about alt text and other web accessibility (#a11y) best practices.
It tends to be seen as an optional and very limited specialty.
As I say, there's a lot of documentation on best practice for alt text and that documentation is especially very helpful if you're creating a traditional website.
It is not, unfortunately, written for social media (even the social media guide I've seen assumes access to a traditional website).
One thing that can help is understanding the goal of alt text—it's not image description.
I can't find @hannah.the-void.social's exact phrasing, but she says something like the purpose of alt text on social media being to enable people who need alt text to be full participants in the conversation.
I have a favorite guide (webaim.org/techniques/a...) that does a great job at making clear the importance of context in writing alt text, but not all parts of it perfectly translate to social media.
The first difference is that images on social media are often about emotive content (vibes). When you're writing alt text for such an image, it's a good idea to try and convey the feeling with evocative language.
A second difference is that traditional alt text guides will just tell you not to include images of text, but these are ubiquitous on social media and aren't going anywhere, which is fine in itself.
The problem is there aren't quick-and-easy guides to point people to on this. Yet. (I have ideas.)
A third difference is the idea of leaving alt text for "decorative images" blank.
I would not do this on social media. On social media, a user needing alt text doesn't necessarily know if the alt text is missing because the image is decorative or because you're a jerk.
There's also a reality that, even when you know all of this, doing alt text isn't easy for everyone.
There are very valid reasons someone might have difficulty writing alt text, and it is okay for that person to ask for help.
The best way to do this is in the text of the post with the image.
You can ask just "someone write alt text for this, please!" or use the tag "Alt4Me" to request assistance from volunteers.
It's important not to use Alt4Me if you don't actually need help, as there are far fewer volunteers than people who need help.
NoAltFeed
I will say that one thing people should know about alt text for images of text is, yes, there are easy ways to copy/paste that text into the alt, but you still need to double-check what you post.
Not only for accuracy but also for length. If the alt text cuts off before the end, that's not good.
Writing a description of where to start with good alt text that fits in a tweet I came up with and validated with Blind folks:
"What about the image is needed to welcome and include visually impaired people in the conversation"
I think that fits here too
(no shame to the person I'm replying to)
As encouragement: you could imagine that A+ alt text would sometimes read like poetry, which can be an intimidating idea.
Alt text can be difficult for me, so I aim for passing-grade alt text. It's not going to be the very best ever, but it will get across the point as best I can manage.
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this is all so great and touches on a lot of points I've never made
I love the lil history lesson
I also find it ironic that it was created for sighted users with low bandwidth
I think it's helpful to understanding the point of alt text. A lot of people get themselves stuck with anxiety over "OMG I have to describe this whole image?!" and I think it helps if you realize you just have to tell people what you would expect them to get out of the image if they could see it.
I know that's a really common one, but I personally don't go to that one for a couple of reasons.
The first one is that if you're talking to someone over the phone, they can ask questions to clarify.
The second one is a lot of people (like me) still wouldn't find that specific enough guidance.
The third one is that a lot of people (also me) have phone anxiety and I'm not sure if it's a helpful thing to tell us.
And the fourth one has to do with modality. As in text and mouth-sounds are different modes of communication and for some people I suspect it's harder to mesh the two.
