Public service announcement

19 Jul 2026

Visual of #hashtagsworkworsewithoutcapitals
#HashtagsWorkBetterWithCapitals image

If you’re using social media, you’re probably using hashtags.

If you’re using hashtags, you’re probably using multiple words.

If you’re using multiple words, you’re probably putting them in a string.

If you’re putting them in a string, and don’t capitalise the first letter of each word, you impact everybody’s ability to read it.

If you’re impacting everybody’s ability to read it, you’re adversely affecting those who are neurodiverse and those using screen readers.

If you’re adversely affecting those who are neurodiversity and using screen readers, you’re probably not adding alternate text to pictures.

If you’re not capitalising each word in a hashtag or adding alt-text, you are not being very inclusive.

Please do these things.

Ps. Capitalisation also applies to sharing your email.

#hashtagsworkworsewithoutcapitals

#HashtagsWorkBetterWithCapitals

Ady Stokes

Freelance Consultant

He / Him

Award Star

MoT Ambassador. Currently semi-retired and freelancing. I am, amongst other things, a writer, speaker, and accessibility advocate. Leeds Chapter Lead. MoT Certs curator and article editor for MoT and WonderProxy. Testing wisdom, friendly, testing songs and poems. Great minds think differently. STEC and SQEC Certified.

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