Creating accessible social media content ensures everyone can engage with and enjoy your posts. Below are platform-specific resources, best practices, and captioning instructions to help your content be more inclusive.

Have questions? Contact Maree Jones, Director of Social Media Strategy, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or review the Media & Graphics guidelines and other pages on this site.

Best Practices for All Platforms

Follow these universal tips when creating content:

• Add Alt Text to images describing key visual elements.
• Use CamelCase hashtags (#GoBlazers, not #goblazers).
• Limit emoji use and place them at the end of posts.
• Avoid text in images unless described in alt text and reinforced in the caption of the post.
• Use high color contrast (minimum 4.5:1).
• Write in plain language.
• Avoid using flashing or strobing effects.
• Use captioning for all video content.

Reminder: Alt Text is Not a Gimmick

Alt text is not the place for jokes, easter eggs, or hashtags. It’s a vital accessibility tool that allows people using screen readers to understand the content and context of your images.

• Do: Write clear, concise descriptions of what’s important in the image.
• Don't: Use it for commentary, hidden messages, or keyword stuffing.

Think of it this way: If you couldn’t see the image, what would you need to know to understand it?

Accessibility Support Pages by Channel

• Facebook opens a new website
• Instagram opens a new website
• LinkedIn opens a new website
• X (formerly Twitter) opens a new website
• Youtube opens a new website

Video Captioning

Captions make your video content accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing, non-native speakers, or people in quiet environments.

For easy, embedded captions, we recommend using the Adobe Express captioning feature opens a new website. However, if you prefer, you can also generate an .srt file.

How to Create an .srt File Using YouTube

1. In YouTube Studio, go to the left sidebar and click Subtitles.
2. Select your video and click Add under the subtitles column.
3. Choose how you want to add subtitles (upload file, auto-sync, or type manually).
4. Once subtitles are published, click the Actions tab and select Download .SRT.

You can now use this file across platforms. Below are upload instructions by platform.

IMPORTANT: You cannot rely on automatic captions to be 100% accurate. You must review them for accuracy and edit as needed. See the WebAIM Captions, Transcripts, and Audio Descriptions guide opens a new website for more information.

Facebook

1. Go to your video post and click the three dots (...) > Edit Video.
2. In the side panel, select Subtitles & Captions (CC).
3. Upload your .srt file or autogenerate captions and edit them.

Instagram

Instagram does not currently support .srt caption files uploaded with your post. You have two options:

• Hardcode captions into your video using video editing software.
• Use Instagram’s built-in auto-captioning tools for Reels and Stories.

You can still make your Instagram content more accessible by:

• Adding alt text to images.
• Using CamelCase hashtags and limiting emoji use.

LinkedIn

1. When creating a post, click the Video icon and upload your video.
2. Once it appears in the preview window, click the Edit (pencil) icon.
3. Under Video Settings, click Select File to upload your .srt file.
4. Click Save.

X (formerly Twitter)

1. On desktop, go to More > Media Studio.
2. Select the video and open the Subtitles tab.
3. Choose a language, then click Upload to add your .srt file.
4. You can also add a title and description from this screen.