Adding alt text to every image: did it move anything?

Adding alt text to every image: did it move anything?
A common tip says alt text boosts reach. I tested it honestly: 25 image posts with detailed alt text, 25 without, scheduled via Buffer over 5 weeks.

— With alt text: 1,180 median views
— Without: 1,210 median views
— Statistically, no reach difference at all

Alt text did nothing for reach. It's an accessibility win, not a growth hack, and I'd stopped believing the growth claim by week three.

Standout feature: Buffer lets you add alt text in the composer without leaving the draft. Annoying limitation: it doesn't carry alt text over when you duplicate a post, so you re-type it every time.

Verdict on the tactic: do it for accessibility, not reach. Buffer: Worth it for the inline field, free tier covers it.