The content on this page is subject to change as a result of new information, platform updates, and evolving technology. If the featured platform supports adding, editing, or viewing alt text, a carousel of screenshots outlining each step of the process will be available below as a visual reference. Click the cover image to open the full carousel. Key buttons and fields are outlined in red. All screenshots were captured using Google Chrome on Apple devices, so they may vary in appearance when using different browsers and devices.
A unique accessibility setting on Bluesky is the platform's alt text reminder. Twitter/X is the only other platform with a similar feature. To turn the reminder on for Bluesky, navigate to Settings, choose Accessibility on the next screen, and then toggle the feature on under the alt text section.
When Bluesky's alt text reminder is activated, users will be required to add alt text to all images before publishing a post. There is no option to ignore it like there is on Twitter/X.
How to add alt text on the desktop version of Bluesky:
After adding alt text to an image, the ALT button on the image in the composition window will include a checkmark instead of a plus sign to indicate that alt text has been added.
Alt text is typically only for image files like JPGs, PNGs, and GIFs. However, Bluesky does allow users to add alt text to videos, but this is usually known as a written video description instead of alt text. Treat alt text for videos the same as alt text for images and describe the key visual details of the featured media.
Alt text can also be added to GIFs on Bluesky when the GIF comes from the platform's built-in GIF library.
It is not currently possible to edit alt text on Bluesky after publishing a post. If an image's alt text needs to be updated, the post will have to be deleted and created again.
There is an alt text badge on Bluesky that appears in the lower right corner of images posted with alt text. It is visible to all users on the platform. When the badge is clicked, the view of the image will expand and the image's alt text will be shown below it.
There is also an option to display larger alt text badges. The option is found in the accessibility settings with the alt text reminder.
How to add alt text on the mobile version of Bluesky:
After adding alt text to an image, the ALT button on the image in the composition window will include a checkmark instead of a plus sign to indicate that alt text has been added.
Alt text is typically only for image files like JPGs, PNGs, and GIFs. However, Bluesky does allow users to add alt text to videos, but this is usually known as a written video description instead of alt text. Treat alt text for videos the same as alt text for images and describe the key visual details of the featured media.
Alt text can also be added to GIFs on Bluesky when the GIF comes from the platform's built-in GIF library.
It is not currently possible to edit alt text on Bluesky after publishing a post. If an image's alt text needs to be updated, the post will have to be deleted and created again.
There is an alt text badge on Bluesky that appears in the lower right corner of images posted with alt text. It is visible to all users on the platform. When the badge is clicked, the view of the image will expand and the image's alt text will be shown below it.
There is also an option to display larger alt text badges. The option is found in the accessibility settings with the alt text reminder.
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