Newcomers: I’m not going to yell at you about alt text.

But I will tell you, just as a factual matter, if you don’t add alt text to your images they may get fewer faves and boosts. There are people here who rely on it to know what you’ve posted, and many more who won’t engage with media that doesn’t have alt text.

#AltText #accessibility

AltText is such a low effort habit to get into and at the same time, such a generous welcoming thing to do for another person. And why wouldn’t you want everyone to understand what you meant. I mean, you added that photo for a reason.
#AltText #Kindness #Inclusion

I do alt text, but it's not low effort at all.
There are many people with low energy for whom writing alt text is an actually barrier for participation.
(Sometimes I also just don't post pictures, although I want to, because I don't have the energy to write alt text).

I still think alt text is important, I just want to point out that, for many, it's not low effort; and claiming it is might make those feel uncomfortable and unseen.

@maxleibman

It is entirely acceptable for your alt text to read:
"I don't have the energy to write alt text right now".

Someone else (with more spoons than you right now) will probably suggest something, and you can edit it in later.

Edit: every time I log in to bsky, I have to remind myself that I can't edit anything there.

On my instance alt text is mandatory (which I like).
And I do have blind followers, so I do want to do alt text.

I simply wanted to point out here that a blanket statement about "low effort" isn't everyone's reality.

@Pineywoozle @maxleibman