Instagram adds "ALT text"

Here is the most important thing you should know about ALT text

Instagram News

This is a huge new Instagram feature: the ALT text on Instagram photos.

Questions:

What is the ALT Text feature for?
Why is it awesome?
How to add ALT text on new and old photos?
What should you actually write?
How we use it

Let’s start.

What is “ALT Text”?

In Internet language, “ALT” means alternative. So “ALT text” mean “ alternative text ”.

ALT text is the alternative to your photo in case your photo doesn’t not load on a website (for example). Instead of seeing the photo, people will read your alternative text. Your alternative text should describe what is on your photo (this way people don’t totally miss out on your content). If you don’t write an alternative text for your photo, people will miss your photo and your alternative description.

But ALT texts have a much bigger purpose than just providing a description.

ALT texts are everywhere . They are on every websites on the Internet. And now on Instagram. You might not “see it”, but it is very important and powerful.

What is the ALT text for?

Here is the most important thing you should know about ALT text:

The ALT text is not a “copy and paste” of your Instagram caption. The ALT text is used to describe exactly what is on your photo.

Why bother adding a ALT text on your posts?

Here is why:

1. It helps people who can’t see “see” your photo. Think about it: Instagram is a visual platform. Plus, we usually don’t describe a photo in the caption. This makes it harder for people who can’t see (like blind people) to relate to your story. If you write an ALT text, people will use it to understand what is on your photo. Their phones (thanks to the awesome “screen reader” feature) will read the ALT text for them. The ALT text is your way of giving people more context to understand not only your caption, but also your account and after all… you. How awesome is that?! You’re basically making your content, your creativity and yourself accessible to even more people in the community.

2. It helps the Instagram algorithm understand what is on your photo . Instagram has been using an image recognition technology to “see” what is on your photo. This technology helps Instagram show your post to more people who like your kind of content. This is awesome to make sure your posts are seen by people who actually care about what you post (and not random people on Instagram). Now with ALT text, the algorithm can become even more powerful and useful to help you grow your account in a natural way.

3. It helps you grow your Instagram account using Google. Instagram SEO is real! It’s here! Are you new to SEO? “SEO” means “Search Engine Optimisation”. It sounds complicated but it’s actually very easy. SEO is a strategy people use to grow their website online – so that you see their website first when you search for something. Now the same is happening for Instagram (let’s call it “Instagram SEO”). As part of your SEO strategy, ALT text are very important and useful. You need to use good keywords in your ALT text. You need to use keywords people would type on Google to find your photo. Does it make sense? For example, if people are searching for “funny dog photo Christmas”, the photo of your dog with a cute Santa hat can appear in the search results on Google. This means that your Instagram post can live a life beyond Instagram. Your photo can go viral on the Internet (not just on Instagram). Isn’t this amazing? Click here to read all our Instagram SEO tips.

I hope you now understand the power of this new ALT text feature on Instagram:

People who have visual impairments can see your photos thanks to you
The Instagram algorithm can see what’s on your photo and help you grow your account
Your Instagram photos can be found on Google (not just on Instagram)

Try it on www.instagram.com
news via ipreview

< Older Post Newer Post >

Let's Connect!

What’s Working on Instagram in 2025: 7 Smart Content Shifts Every Small Business Should Make

by Alexandra Stanley • 9 June 2025

Instagram is no longer just a place to share pretty pictures—it’s now a full-blown marketing machine for small businesses. But what worked even 12 months ago may already be out of date. If you're a business owner in property, trades, interiors—or any hands-on industry—this blog will walk you through what’s actually working on Instagram in 2025, and how you can update your strategy to grow with confidence. Let’s dive into the 7 biggest shifts you need to know about. 1. 🎥 Raw & Real Reels Are Outperforming Polished Content The days of over-edited, overly curated videos are behind us. Audiences want to see real people doing real things. For interior designers and trades, this is your time to shine. Think: ✔️ A quick "before & after" video ✔️ A timelapse of a space being transformed ✔️ You talking directly to the camera about your process Keep it simple, vertical, and under 30 seconds. Done is better than perfect. 2. 📅 Consistency > Perfection Forget agonising over the perfect grid. In 2025, showing up consistently (even if it’s 3 times a week) wins over perfect visuals. Tip: Use scheduling tools like Metricool to plan ahead and batch your content to stay consistent without the stress. 3. 🔍 SEO-Optimised Captions Are a Must Instagram is now a search engine—yes, really! Your ideal customer might be searching “kitchen fitter in Suffolk” or “luxury butler services London.” Use keywords naturally in your: - Bio - Captions - Alt text (added during post creation) This helps you get discovered by people actively looking for your service. 4. 🧠 Engagement-First Format Choices The algorithm now prioritises posts that get people to pause, click, or comment. What works best? - Carousel posts with tips or transformations - Reels that open with a hook - Questions and polls in Stories - Comment prompts like “Would you choose this colour scheme?” Engagement tells Instagram your content is valuable—and it will show it to more people. 5. 📱 Instagram as Your ‘Mini Website’ Your profile is often the first impression before someone even lands on your site. Make sure yours has: - Clear bio with keywords and location - Professional profile image - Highlights (services, testimonials, FAQs) - Pinned posts showcasing what you do Think of it as a mini landing page that sells you. 6. 🙌 UGC & Testimonials = Trust Builders People trust people. Sharing real reviews, videos from clients, or even screenshots of great feedback builds instant credibility. Ask your clients for short testimonial clips—or turn their WhatsApp praise into an aesthetic quote graphic. 7. 🔁 Repurpose, Repurpose, Repurpose Work smarter, not harder. 📌 Post your Reels to TikTok 📌 Turn blog tips into carousels 📌 Clip training content into educational Reels 📌 Turn FAQs into Stories This saves time and grows your presence on multiple platforms with minimal extra effort. Ready to Refresh Your Strategy? If you’re feeling a bit stuck or unsure what to post next, you're not alone. 👉 Book a 1:1 strategy call 👉 Join my next Social Media Mastery course 👉 Or DM me for a quick grid audit (it’s free!) Let’s make Instagram work for your business in 2025—without the overwhelm. Written by Alexandra Stanley, Social Media Expert for property, trades & interiors. Follow @alexandrastanleysocialmedia for more real talk on content that converts.

Why Outsource to a Social Media Manager?

3 May 2023

Creating content, managing the notifications and knowing where to place your content to reach your ideal customer requires creativity and a strategy aligned with your business goals...