About

Click Here Twitter ALT Text Jokes or X ALT Text Image Description Messages refers to a viral Twitter / X trend in which users take advantage of the "ALT text" feature of the platform to try to be funny or ironic by adding custom descriptions to images. The trend started in April 2023, receiving a lot of media coverage in May, as the jokes in the ALT image description label affected several blind people who utilized the tool to have better guidance on the platform. Despite the negative feedback, the trend resurfaced in February and March 2024, sparking more jokes and debates on X.

Origin

On April 29th, 2023, X^[1] user @whenyoumetjay uploaded one of the earliest known images featuring the text "click here" and an arrow pointing at the "ALT text" feature on the platform. By clicking on the feature, the following text is shown: "I don't know who needs to hear this today but you're enough. you're valid. you're loved. keep shining your light <3." The post (shown below) amassed over 5,100 likes and 860 retweets in a year.

Spread

In May 2023, jokes using the ALT text feature became a viral trend on X. For example, on May 2nd, 2023, the X^[2] meme page @OOCCouchGags used the "click here" to post a Simpsons joke that reads, "I know you can read my thoughts boy… Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow, meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow." The post (shown below) amassed more than 3,500 likes and 390 retweets in a year.

Also on May 2nd, the X^[3] page @Specsavers shared an ALT text explaining how the trend could be detrimental for blind people, saying, "ALT text is a hugely important accessibility tool designed to help people navigate the internet more easily, so it shouldn't be used as a punchline." The post (shown below) amassed more than 13,000 likes and 3,000 retweets in a year.

Despite the negative feedback it got in 2023, the trend resurfaced in February 2024 on X sparking more jokes using the ALT text feature.

For example, on February 5th, 2024, X^[4] user @MgmtArham posted the "click here" image with the pointing arrow directing to the ALT text, which reads, "To the 0.0000000001% of people that see this. If you happen to see this just know that: You're loved. You belong. You're needed by others. You're alive for a reason. Don’t give up <3." The post (shown below) amassed more than 19,000 likes and 3,600 retweets in a month.

ALT Text Jokes Controversy

On May 4th, 2023, BBC^[5] released an article explaining how the trend had a negative impact on blind or partially sighted people, who use the feature to navigate social media.

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References