With billions of users worldwide, social media offers an unprecedented opportunity to connect with your audience, promote your products or services, and build brand loyalty. However, in the pursuit of likes, shares, and engagement, it’s easy to overlook an essential aspect of social media – accessibility.
Accessibility in social media ensures that your content is available and understandable to all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Neglecting accessibility not only excludes potential customers but also puts your brand at risk of legal consequences. In this blog, Copper Square, as a social media management consultancy firm, will guide you through the top tips to ensure your social media content is accessible to all.
Provide Alternative Text for Images
Images are a fundamental part of social media content. However, they can pose a challenge for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers. To make your images accessible, provide descriptive alternative text (alt text) for each image you post. Alt text should be concise and accurately describe the content of the image. Screen readers will read out the description for them so they can understand what the content is all about.
Improve Text Accessibility
If you are creating text posts, you may think that you don’t have to take additional steps to make them accessible since screen readers can read text posts but it is important to note that not all text posts are accessible. While fun typography looks good, this isn’t necessarily the best idea if you want screen readers to be able to read your post. The technology is going to detect them as the mathematical characters they are and come up with a very confusing narration.
Caption Your Video
Video content is immensely popular on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. To ensure your videos are accessible, always provide accurate captions or subtitles. Many social media platforms offer built-in captioning tools such as Instagram. This makes it easier to add captions to your videos. Captions not only benefit the deaf and hard of hearing but also provide a better user experience for all viewers, including those in noisy environments or non-native speakers.
Create Accessible Links
When sharing links on your social media posts, be mindful of how you format them. Instead of using vague link text like “click here” or “read more,” provide descriptive and context-rich link text that informs users about the content they will access. Screen readers often read out the link text, so making it informative is essential for accessibility.
Use Clear and Simple Language
The language you use in your social media posts should be clear and straightforward. Avoid jargon, overly complex sentences, and excessive abbreviations. This not only benefits users with cognitive disabilities but also improves the readability and understanding of your content for all users.
Be Mindful of Emojis
To break up big chunks of text, it can be easy to use an emoji. However, overusing them or using them incorrectly can spell trouble for your brand’s social media accessibility efforts. We always recommend avoiding emojis in place of bullet points. Since screen readers have to read the emoji’s alt text, it can affect the clarity of your message and emojis should be added only at the end of sentences. Putting them in the middle will disrupt the flow of the sentence.
Prioritise Inclusivity in Visual Content
In addition to providing alt text for images, be mindful of the visual elements you use in your social media posts. Avoid flashing or rapidly changing images, as they can trigger seizures in some users with epilepsy. Ensure that colour contrasts are high enough to be readable by individuals with visual impairments, and avoid relying solely on colour to convey information.
Incorporating accessibility into your social media strategy is not only a legal requirement but also a moral obligation. By following these top tips, you can make your social media content more accessible to all users, thereby expanding your reach and enhancing your brand’s reputation.
Copper Square is dedicated to improving its Inclusion Policy and advising its clients on incorporating accessibility practices into their marketing strategies. If you require assistance in addressing the increasing demand for accessibility on social media, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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