Social Media Schedulers

Accessibility features in social media schedulers vary widely, and capabilities may change as platforms evolve. When possible, use native social media platform features (Instagram, Facebook, X, etc.) to add alternative text and closed captions.

Some scheduling tools do not currently support adding separate caption files to videos. In these cases, videos should include burned-in captions prior to upload. When caption files are supported, they should be uploaded after posting using the native social media platform.

If a platform does not support alternative text, one possible workaround is to include an image description at the end of the post caption. For example: “[Image Description: A golden retriever sitting in a sunny park holding a tennis ball.]” Screen readers can read this text directly from the post caption field.

The following sections provide an overview of several commonly used social media scheduling tools and the accessibility features they currently support. 

Note: While we try to remain up to date on new accessibility changes, social media platforms frequently update their platforms. These steps may vary slightly.

Sprout Social

Sprout Social includes AI-assisted tools for generating alternative text and video captions. Because these features are AI-generated, all content should be reviewed for accuracy before publishing. 

To generate alt text within Sprout Social's Compose Window:

  1. Use the Profile Picker to select the networks you want to publish to.
  2. Add an image to your post. 
  3. Select the Add Alt Text link below the image.

    Sprout Social Add Image window shown with Add Alt Text highlighted in red.
  4. Select the Generate icon in the alt text box on the right. 

    Sprout Social's Generate by AI window is shown with the Use Text button indicated.
  5. Select Use Text to insert the generated text, or click the regenerate icon to create different alt text. 
  6. Select Save when you're happy with the generated alt text.

Sprout Social’s Generate by AI Assist feature can generate subtitle (SRT) files for videos directly within the platform. Users can edit captions after generation, preview subtitles overlaid on the video, and download the completed SRT file for use across multiple platforms.

Sprout Social also supports uploading SRT caption files for videos on supported platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X. Users can upload subtitle files directly within the Compose workflow when creating a post.

To upload an SRT file in Sprout Social:

  1. Upload your video into the Compose window or select it from the Asset Library.
  2. Select Add a Subtitle file.
  3. Choose the language that matches the caption file.
  4. Upload the SRT file before scheduling or publishing the post.

Multiple SRT files can be uploaded for supported platforms to provide captions in different languages.

Sprout Social's Compose window showing the video editor pop out.

Zoho Social

Zoho Social supports adding alternative text to images on selected social media platforms. Alt text options vary depending on whether the desktop or mobile version of the platform is being used. 

On desktop, alt text can be added through the Compose window using the Alt Text icon in the bottom navigation area. 

Zoho Social's alt text editor shown as a pop out near the lower left icon list.

On mobile, users can select “Alt text” during post creation to add image descriptions for supported platforms including Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Mastodon, and Bluesky.

Zoho Social mobile editor of Post Options with a red arrow indicating the Alt Text option at the top of the list.

Buffer

Buffer supports adding alternative text to static images scheduled to platforms including LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Pinterest, Mastodon, and Threads.

When an image is uploaded in the Buffer composer, users can select the “ALT” button to open the image preview and add an image description before saving the post.

Buffer Post Editor window with blue arrow pointing to the Alt button on the image thumbnail..
Buffer does not currently support uploading or generating video captions.

Hootsuite

Hootsuite allows users to add alternative text to images for platforms including LinkedIn, X, and Facebook directly within the post composer. Alt text editing is done by clicking on the more icon (three dots) and choosing "edit alternative text" from the drop down menu. 

close up of the Alt Text menu on Hootsuite's photo editor

Hootsuite’s web-based video editor supports adding SRT caption files to videos for Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and Bluesky. Caption files must follow Hootsuite’s required naming convention using language and country codes.  

To add captions: 
  1. Point to a video thumbnail.
  2. Select More (three dots).
  3. Select Video settings to add SRT captions to Facebook, X, Bluesky, and LinkedIn videos. 
Note: SRT file names must have the following format: filename.[language code]_[country code].srt. Language codes are two lowercase letters and country codes are two uppercase letters. For example: hypevideo.es_ES.srt.  

Planable

Planable includes options for adding alt text to images, which helps make content more accessible to blind or low-vision users.

For Instagram, alt text support is only available for accounts connected through Facebook. Accounts connected directly through Instagram do not currently support this feature.

Planable's mobile image editor showcasing the Alt Text button.

Planable does not support video captions at this time.

Planoly

Planoly does not currently support adding custom alternative text or video captions within the platform.

Users who schedule posts through Planoly should add accessibility features, such as alternative text and captions, directly through the native social media platform whenever possible.

Meta Business Suite

Meta Business Suite includes built-in desktop tools for adding custom alternative text to images and generating or uploading captions for videos.

Alternative text can only be added through the desktop browser version of Meta Business Suite. The mobile app does not currently support this feature.

To Add Alt Text:

  1. Go to the Meta Business Suite Desktop Dashboard.
  2. Click "Create Post".
  3. Click "Add Photo" and upload your image.
  4. Locate the image thumbnail in the Media section and click the "Pencil (Edit)" icon.
  5. Select "Alt Text" from the menu sidebar.
  6. Type your custom, descriptive text into the field and click Apply. Click Create Post.

As of 2026, custom alternative text added through Meta Business Suite only applies to Facebook posts and is not passed to Instagram. To ensure Instagram images include alternative text, posts should be published directly through the Instagram mobile app.

Additional Resources

All Social Media

Sprout Social

Zoho Social

Buffer

Hootsuite

Planable

Planoly

Meta Business Suite

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