How Using Alt Text On Instagram Boosts Your Views & Followers Instantly

Lately, it seems that no matter what you do on Instagram you can’t seem to grow your views and post reach organically. What if I told you that you could now make your Instagram profile open on a more extensive group of viewers with Alt Text.

What Is Alt Text?

Alt text, alt description, or alt tags as it is often called is the written copy that appears on images to assist the visually impaired.  Alt text helps screen reading tools to audibly describe images to the visually impaired. Until recently, Alt text on Instagram was not possible.  Thus leaving the limiting the use of Instagram for the visually impaired.

Generally, alt text fills two essential needs.  It describes your image to the visually impaired or can assist in search engine optimization.  However, on the off chance that a picture neglects to load, the alt description shows up instead of the picture.  Conversely, floating over a web picture will frequently show a depiction that originates from the alt message on that picture.

Just in case your photo doesn’t load on a web site rather than seeing the image, individuals can browse your alternative text.  Your alternative text needs to describe what’s on your image (this means potential viewers don’t wholly miss out on your content).  If you don’t write an alternate text for your image, individuals can miss your image and your alt description.

But ALT texts have a far greater purpose than simply providing a description.

Why Should You Use Alt Text?

Other than aiding the visually impaired the most important reason to add alt text to images is to rank better in internet search queries.  Most sites will concentrate on their SEO for content and page content. Photographs and images are regularly indexed by keywords. Therefore, adding significant alt tags to the pictures will help with positioning in those indexed lists.

As of now, most Instagram posts aren’t showing up in internet searcher results.  This could be because very few users are taking advantage of alt text on Instagram. As high-performing posts with alt text descriptions are shared to Instagram, we could see them start populating in search engine result pages.

Instagram’s algorithm identifies the type of content is in a post. It also identifies the images posted and assigns an alternative description of the image.

However, a photograph of ice cream doesn’t really shout “business person,” despite the person holding it is a business person. Consequently, Instagram may categorize it as ice cream versus a business person.  This is why alt text is so powerful. You control how your images are now categorized and not Instagram.

Your alt descriptions should incorporate keywords yet shouldn’t be overwhelming on the keyword stuffing.  Having a couple of keywords that reference your image is the key. Try not stuff descriptions with a bunch of keywords.

Be specific when creating alt descriptions.  For example, the image above shows me sitting at my desk.  I’m a social media manager and want to make sure I rank for that keyword.  You may add text descriptions that mention the type of role/job/profession you are in.  Consider using Houston realtor, or Houston personal trainer as a keyword to use in your description.

How To Use Alt Text Work On Instagram?

As of November 28, 2018, Instagram has revealed the addition of the alt text feature. You can add it to each new posts as you transfer them or update any past post on your profile to include the alt content.

How to add ALT text on a new Instagram post

Upload image.

On the caption page, press “Advanced settings”:

Click on “Write ALT text”:

Write your ALT text and press “Done”

Don’t forget to go back to previously posted images and add alt descriptions.

How to add ALT text to previous posts

Choose the picture you wish to feature ALT text to

Press the three dots “…”:

Select “Edit”:

Press on “Add ALT text”:

Write your ALT text:

Tips for writing your Instagram ALT text captions

When you write your ALT text, consider the one who wants it and therefore the formula who reads it too.  The ALT text most character limit is a hundred characters. I suggest descriptions be 125 characters or less to confirm compatibility across all viewing screens.

In a perfect world, you should add alt content to the majority of your Instagram posts. When uploading new pics on Instagram, you can include your alt content. For previous posts, focus on refreshing your top posts to give them a boost.

The addition of alt text on Instagram posts shows the importance of visual content on social media.  Likewise, the continued importance and focus on SEO. Alt text on Instagram additionally demonstrates a consciousness of the need to give access to more clients by guaranteeing those with visual disability can appreciate Instagram.

Will you be adding alt text to your Instagram posts?  If you started using alt text, how has it helped to increase your profile visibility? As always I’d love to know, share in the comments.