Accessibility Options in Instagram

Questions

  • How do I add alternative text to an Instagram post?
  • Does Instagram add alt-text automatically, and is it accurate?
  • How do I add or edit alt-text on an Instagram post I already published?
  • Do Instagram videos, stories, and reels need captions?
  • What kind of captions does Instagram support?
  • What software can I use to add captions to a video?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin staff and departments managing Instagram accounts for the College. Steps describe the Instagram mobile app; the app's menus change from time to time, so exact labels may differ slightly.

Resolution

Automatic alt-text

Instagram uses automatic object-recognition software to make a best guess at alt-text for posts. It is helpful but not always accurate, so add your own alt-text whenever you can.

Example of Instagram posts with images blocked and only the alternative text displaying.

Add alt-text to a new post

  1. Start uploading a new photo, edit the image and add filters, then tap Next.
  2. On the caption screen, tap Advanced Settings.
  3. Under Accessibility, tap Write Alt Text.
  4. Enter your description and finish posting.

Add alt-text to an existing post

  1. Go to the photo and tap the three-dot (...) menu in the top-right.
  2. Tap Add Alt Text.
  3. Write the alt-text and tap Done.

Caption your videos

Any video posted to a story, reel, or feed post should have captions if it includes speech or music.

Open captions only. Instagram supports only open captions — text added directly to ("burned in") the video that cannot be turned on or off — so add captions when you edit the video. Captions should be synchronized and matched to the spoken words. Follow the DCMP Captioning Key (see Additional Resources) for caption style.

Captioning software by platform

  • Mac: iMovie, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, Headliner.app
  • Windows: Microsoft Clipchamp / Movie Maker, Adobe Premiere
  • iPhone / iPad: iMovie, Adobe Premiere Rush, Apple Clips, Clipomatic

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

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Related Articles (3)

Alternative Text (Alt-text)
What alternative text (alt-text) is, why it is required for images on Bowdoin webpages, and how to write it well in Cascade CMS. Covers being descriptive and concise, avoiding "image of," handling images that contain text, functional (linked) images, and decorative images, with before-and-after examples. For Bowdoin website editors and content contributors.
Best Practices for Accessible Content in Social Media
Best practices for making Bowdoin social media posts accessible: add alternative text to images, caption videos, place hashtags and mentions at the end of a post and write multi-word hashtags in CamelCase (#BowdoinCollege), use meaningful link text, use emojis sparingly because screen readers read each one aloud, and keep good color contrast. For Bowdoin staff and departments managing social media accounts.
Captions and Transcripts
Bowdoin's captioning policy (effective July 1, 2020) and the tools for meeting it: video should be captioned to at least 99% accuracy and audio-only content should have a transcript. Covers editing YouTube auto-captions, captioning Panopto videos (contact Paul Benham), professional captioning through Rev (contact Juli Haugen, ~5 business days), and transcribing Zoom cloud recordings. For Bowdoin website editors and content publishers.