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• Do not create a duplicate listing.
• Search the platform in which you are interested and evaluate those results.
  • This should help guide you to choose an appropriate naming convention.
• The name should be clearly linked to your particular department or unit rather than to the institution as a whole.

Choose higher education, college/university or institution, based on those offered by the respective platform.

• Adhere to ��������’s Guide to Visual Standards.
• The profile image should be clearly linked to your particular department rather than the institution as a whole.
  • Consider use of an image used in your marketing materials.
• If you need assistance or ideas, contact us.

• Make it clear in the appropriate location, based on the platform, that the respective social media account is the “official [your department]” social media account.
• In addition to information about your department, include a link to the institutional website and the social media directory.
  • Text could read: "For more information about ��������, visit www.kent.edu; for a full listing of �������� social media accounts, visit ."

• Include at least one employee within your department.
• The appropriate University Communications and Marketing account should be an administrator.
  • See subsequent sections of this documentation for correct account information, based on platform.

Checklist for Social Media Accessibility & Compliance
 

For your social media platforms, adhere to these inclusion items and considerations, as relevant.

IMAGES & GRAPHICS:

• Add alt text for every image with concise, descriptive language. 
• Include image descriptions in captions if alt text is unavailable (ex: Instagram Stories)

VIDEO CONTENT: 

• Provide accurate, synchronized captions for all spoken content. 
• Offer full transcripts when possible. 
• Add audio descriptions for important visual elements. 
• Avoid flashing or strobing effects.

TEXT & COPY:

• Use clear, plain language. 
• Avoid ALL CAPS for long sentences. 
• Use CamelCase for hashtags (e.g., #KentState; #GoFlashes). 
• Use emojis sparingly and place at the end of sentences. 
• If posting about an event, include 5w’s (who, what, when, where & why)

LINKS & TAGS:

• Use descriptive link text instead of “Click Here” (ex: “Find Financial Aid Updates”; “Read the latest �������� Today stories”)
• Place account tags at the end of posts where possible. 
• Avoid link shorteners that obscure the destination URL

COLOR, CONTRAST AND DESIGN

• Maintain a minimum of 4:5:1 contrast ratio for normal text; 3:1 for large text
• Avoid using color alone to convey meaning
• Ensure text over images have sufficient contrast or overlay.

GIFs, MEMES AND MOTION

• Include alt text or descriptions for GIFs and memes
• Avoid flashing or looping content that could cause discomfort or
• Keep motion brief (under 5 seconds)

RESOURCES: 

• Printable Checklist for Social Media Accessibility & Compliance (PDF)

• Include frequency of posts.
• Outline type of content to be posted.

Consider whether to monitor followers, fans, visits to your social media space, tone of posts, response of and interactivity among members of your community.

• Request account review and addition to social media directory.
  • Contact us for inclusion in the social media directory. When doing so, email your social media venue(s), respective url(s) and handle(s).
• Provide the name and title of the identified social media account administrator from your department.