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Facebook

A guide to an accessible Facebook profile.

Almost all social media platforms, including Facebook, allow you to write or edit an image's alternative(Alt) text. Facebook auto-generates Alt text over every picture you post. However, the automatically generated text often bears little resemblance to the actual image, meaning not all of your users can experience your photos as you intended.

Edit alternative text on Facebook image posts

You can replace the auto-generated text with a better photo description. Screen readers will read this description.

To view and edit Alt text for a photo:

  1. Click Photo/Video at the top of your feed.
  2. Select the photo you want to add.
  3. Hover over the photo and click Edit.
  4. The automatically generated text will appear on the left side of your photo. Click Override Generated Alt Text to edit.
  5. Write your Alt text in the box. 
  6. Click Save in the bottom left.

 

To edit Alt text of a photo after posting:

  1. Click on the photo.
  2. Click the three dots icon in the top right and select Change Alt Text.
  3. Click Override Generated Alt Text or change the Alt text in the text box. 
    1. Note: You can also click Clear to Change your edited Alt text back to the automatically generated text.
  4. Click Save.

If your image is decorative, remove the auto-generated Alt text with alt=” ”.

Posting a video to Facebook? Consider adding captions to your video content. Not only do captions create an inclusive viewing experience, but 85% of Facebook visitors watch videos without sound.

Upload .srt file to Facebook video posts

To upload a SubRip (.srt) format to upload caption files: 

  1. Click Photo/Video at the top of your timeline or feed.
  2. Choose a video from your computer, then click Post.
    1. Facebook will notify you when your video is ready to view. 
  3. Click the notification or the gray date and time at the top of your feed or timeline post.
  4. Click the three dots icon in the top right and select Edit Video.
  5. Click Choose File below Upload SRT files and select a .srt file from your computer.
  6. Click Save.

 

To remove captions uploaded captions:

  1. Click your video to expand it.
  2. Click the three dots icon in the top right and select Edit Video.
  3. Next to Captions, click the X next to the file you want to remove.
  4. Click Save.


Need help captioning your videos? Stanford’s Office of Digital Accessibility has established Master Service Agreements with three vendors for providing quality captioning and audio description services at reduced rates, saving you time and money. ​

Visit Facebook's accessibility webpage to learn more.