Of late I have noticed that a lot of people are either not using proper alt text, or specifically advising other users who ask how to add images to forum posts to not use proper alt text. ('Proper alt text' here refers to alt text that serves its correct function, as explained below). As a result, I wanted to make a forum post explaining the purpose of and need for alt text, as well as how I go about writing it. I will preface this with three disclaimers:

1. I am not someone who relies on alt text, and as such this post may not give all the necessary detail. I will happily welcome input from people who do rely on alt text.
2. I do not believe that the people misusing or encouraging the misuse of alt text are doing so out of malice; if I did, I would quite frankly not be making this post
3. I do not think I have ever posted an image in the Pagebound forums

So: What is alt text? Alt text is text attached to an image (not viewable in typical use) that describes the context of the image.

Why is alt text important? Screen readers do not understand images; alt text informs them what they should say instead. Screen readers are an accessibility tool used primarily by blind and low-vision users, and read a webpage out loud. Hence, alt text is a vital accessibility tool, allowing blind and low-vision users to properly understand forum posts. Alt text may also be used when someone's internet connection is slow or poor, displayed instead of an image.

How can I see alt text of an image someone else has posted? On the mobile website, click and hold on an image. On the website on a computer, use the inspect element (ctrl + shift + i on Windows) and select the image. I'm not sure if this is possible on the app.

Where do I add alt text? (Thank you to user Evueimeimeii for asking about this!) When you post an image, the markup is made up of three sections. The first is an exclamation mark, I assume to differentiate from hyperlinks. This is the same every time. The second is the actual alt text, contained in [square brackets]. The third is the link to the image, contained in (regular brackets). This should end in a file extension, such as .gif, .png, or .jpg

How do I write alt text? Try to describe the relevant detail for the contents of an image. If I remember correctly there is some debate on how much detail should be included; based on how images and GIFs are used most commonly on Pagebound in my experience, I would recommend keeping the details sparse. For example, if you post a GIF of people celebrating I would recommend just writing 'people celebrating' rather than describing the GIF in detail. If there is text on the GIF or image, that should also be included. However, if there is important information in the GIF or image that affects how it should be interpreted, make sure to include that as well! Ideally alt text should allow the user to have the same understanding of the post as if they had seen the image.

But it's hard! Yes, it is! I'm autistic, so I struggle a lot with knowing what level of detail is appropriate, and often do not have the energy to include alt text. On social media sites such as Tumblr where it is optional, I may also forget to include it. In these situations: When I forget, there is nothing I can do about it. I try to add alt text when I remember. If I don't have the energy to add alt text on Tumblr, I tag the image as #undescribed. From my understanding this allows users who rely on alt text to filter out posts they will not be able to understand. It also allows me to go back later when I have more energy and add the text. On Pagebound, I would consider whether the image is actually vital to the post or not; I don't have further advice than this to be honest. When I don't know what level of detail to add, I honestly just take my best guess! If I'm really not sure, I'll add a little note saying that I welcome feedback on it.

If you've read this far: thank you! (I hope this GIF works! It's my first time using one on Pagebound!)

I know I wrote a lot (as I mentioned before, I struggle a lot with knowing what level of detail is appropriate so I've probably gone into far more than is necessary. I always aim for more rather than less.) I hope that you take this into account in future if you haven't before! And I'd really appreciate it if you shared this, politely, if you see people misinforming other users on what to include as alt text in future. If either of the site owners see this, I would advise linking information about alt text on the FAQ page where the information about adding images to forum posts is given. However, I understand that this is a two-person project and they may either not spot this post or not be able to add this information due to other pressures.

Thank you again for taking the time to read this – I really have rambled quite a lot!