First Look at Instagrams Vital New Feature: Image Alt Tags
Instagram have introduced a vital new change, which you may not have even noticed.
More than 285 million people in the world have visual impairments, and allowing them to access the same things as everyone else. That’s why Instagram have rolled out a new feature that allows alt tags to be automatically added to images, and users to custom alt tags too.
So What is An Alt Tag?
An alt tag is a brief description of an image, which allows a screen reader to depict the image and tell the user what the image is about. This allows visual impaired people to have the same experience as others when using the internet. This text isn’t published anywhere, but in the backend it gives vital aid to others.
How Does the Feature Work?
This new feature uses object recognition technology to generate a description of images, allowing screen readers to hear a list of items that the image may contain.
How Can I Customise My Alt Tags?
Adding custom alt text to your image allows you to insert richer information that may be more detailed. To add custom alt text to your image whilst posting, after adding a filter tap next. Then choose Advanced Settings at the bottom of the screen – here you will see an alt text option. Write your description here and press post!
To add alt text to your existing posts, navigate to your image and tap the three-dot icon, and tap Alt Text at the bottom right. Insert your description here and tap done.
This new, helpful feature allows more people to get the full experience of Instagram and view the millions of beautiful images that get added to the platform daily. We are excited to see what other features the social network will come up with to allow even more accessibility in the future.
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