Accessibility Compliance for Social Media
This guide provides practical recommendations on how to make social media content more accessible and inclusive by following WCAG 2.1 AA best practices for Instagram and TikTok. This includes information for captions, image descriptions, video accessibility, readable design, and other techniques that help ensure content can be understood and enjoyed by a wider audience.
Key Things to be Concerned About for WCAG 2.1 AA on Instagram and TikTok
1. Text Alternatives for Non-Text Content
Social platforms don’t fully support traditional “alt text” everywhere, but you still must provide equivalent information.
• Instagram
– Use the built‑in Alt Text field for photos.
– If posting multiple images or images with a lot of text, put a brief description in alt text, and a more detailed description in the caption.
• TikTok
– Add on‑screen text descriptions or include descriptions in the video caption.
– For visuals that aren’t explained in audio, include a voiceover describing what’s happening.
2. Captions & Transcripts
• All videos MUST have captions.
– Prefer open captions (burned‑in) because auto‑captions are inconsistent.
– Ensure captions include important background sounds (like “music,” “applause,” “beeping,” etc.).
• Provide a text transcript in the caption or link to a transcript when the content is longer or complex.
3. Text in Images / On‑Screen Text
• Keep on‑screen text brief, large, and high‑contrast.
• Don’t rely on text embedded in an image as the only way to convey information.
• Use simple backgrounds so text is readable.
4. Color Contrast
Any essential text (in stories, reels, or video) needs to meet contrast ratios:
• Normal text: 4.5:1
• Large text: 3:1
Examples that often fail: white text on yellow, pale colors, busy photos behind text.
5. Flashing / Strobe Content
• Avoid flashing content above 3 flashes per second, which can trigger seizures.
• TikTok’s default effects sometimes fail this—review carefully before posting.
6. Audio-Only or Visual-Only Content
• If audio contains meaningful info, provide captions.
• If visual actions tell the story, provide voiceover.
This satisfies Perceivable and Understandable principles.
7. Keyboard Navigation Isn’t Relevant, But Cognitive Load Is
WCAG keyboard requirements mainly apply to websites, but for social media:
• Avoid overly fast pacing or info‑heavy sequences.
• Keep messaging simple and clear.
• Avoid memes or graphics that rely on nuance without explanation.
8. Avoid Reliance on Color Alone
If you use color coding (green = good, red = bad), add labels or icons so the meaning is clear to color‑blind users.
9. Hashtag Formatting
• Use CamelCase (#OaklandPublicWorks instead of #oaklandpublicworks).
• Keep hashtags at the end of the caption so screen readers aren’t overwhelmed.
10. Emoji Accessibility
• Limit emoji use, especially mid‑sentence, because screen readers read each emoji aloud.
• Avoid emojis in place of words.
• Group emojis at the end if you use them.
11. Link Accessibility (when used)
Instagram and TikTok don’t allow clickable links in captions, but:
• Keep URLs simple so they are easy to type.
• Use descriptive language (“City ADA page”) instead of “click here.”