![[Updated] In 2024, Comprehensive Guide to YouTube Video Captioning](https://thmb.techidaily.com/9c542d2b3f1e08468e3f2c145797e8585ab19701697c4cb0d6aea2250418304b.jpg)
[Updated] In 2024, Comprehensive Guide to YouTube Video Captioning
![](/images/site-logo.png)
Comprehensive Guide to YouTube Video Captioning
How To Add Captions to YouTube Videos
Richard Bennett
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
By captioning your YouTube videos you help to make them accessible to more potential viewers. Subtitles are useful to viewers who have hearing impairments, whose first language is different from yours, or who are unable to watch your video with sound. Closed captioning can also be useful for you as a YouTuber because it helps with your SEO, or search engine optimization. Practicing better SEO can get your videos ranked higher in search results. Google and YouTube both index subtitles and transcripts much like they do your video’s description, unless you use automated captions.
This article will first explain how you can turn on subtitles for the videos you watch and then walk you through adding captions to your own videos.
How To Turn On Captions on YouTube
In order for you to be able to view subtitles for a YouTube video the uploader of the video will need to have added them, unless you change your account settings to display automatic captions.
To toggle subtitles on and off click on the Closed Captioning icon in the bottom right of your video player.
If the creator of the video has not added captions then you can enable automatic captions by going into your Account Settings and selecting Playback. Check the box next to Always Show Captions, and then check Show Automatic Captions by Speech Recognition. These captions may be flawed, but you will still be able to see the more accurate user submitted captions on videos that have them. The Always Show Captions feature may be useful not only to the hearing impaired, but to users who do not speak the same language as the video producer.
If you want to change the language of the subtitles click on the settings icon (the one that looks like a gear) next to the closed captioning icon and choose your language next to Subtitles/CC . If the language you want is not there select Auto-Translate and then pick a language. Google Translate will be used to generate subtitles in your chosen language.
Adding YouTube Captions in 4 Steps
1. Go to Video Manager in your Creator Studio and then look at your videos. Decide which one you want to add captions to.
2. Click on the drop-down menu next to the video you want to add captions to and choose Subtitles and CC.
3. Select Add New Subtitles or CC.
4. Choose whether to create your captions, upload a file that has them, transcribe your video, use automatic captioning, or use captioning software.
Create Subtitles or Closed Captions will allow you to create your subtitles on YouTube.
Upload A File allows you to upload a pre-made subtitle file from your computer. Supported file types include SubRip (.srt) and SubViewer (.sbv). You cannot use a word or PDF document for your subtitles.
Transcribe and Set Timings is where you can type a transcript of your video and set timings to sync it to your video. This differs from Create Subtitles or Closed Captions in that your transcript is all typed in to one text field.
Use Automatic Captioning will automatically use speech recognition technology to create captions. You can edit these auto-generated captions later if there are mistakes.
Use Captioning Software or Services is what you choose if you want to use a program or service to create the subtitles for your video.
The easiest way to add subtitles to your videos is to use Automatic Captioning. However, Automatic Captioning is imperfect and may result in your viewers getting a sloppy, skewed, interpretation of your video. Automatic captions are also not indexed by YouTube and Google the way subtitles you create or upload are. This means that they will not have any value to your SEO strategy. If you do not input your own captions or transcript you are missing out on an opportunity for better search engine rankings. Automatic Captions are great if you do not have time to input subtitles and need a temporary solution, though.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Also read:
- The Snapshot Solution Effortless iPhone/iPad Video Production for 2024
- The Ultimate User-Friendly Untangle for YouTube Earnings Assessment for 2024
- [New] 2024 Approved Earning Mastery Youtube Short Video Tips
- [Updated] In 2024, Authentic Audience Growth Tricks for Sustainable Views
- [New] Ultimate Livestream Setup Reviews on the Top Livestream Tools and Devices
- [Updated] Guide to Swiftly Acquire and Save YouTube Watch Lists
- [New] Thumbnail & Banner Strategies for Online Success
- [New] In 2024, Brand Your Channel Innovative Banner Templates for Gamers
- [Updated] Decoding the Modern Content Creator's Dilemma for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, Co-Create Content to Maximize YouTube Follower Count
- [New] What Are YouTube Tags and How Can You Find Great Tags For Your Videos?
- 2024 Approved Vlog Anxieties Unmasked How to Combat Them
- [Updated] Unleashing Creative Potential Making YouTube Trailers in Filmora
- [New] In 2024, Arena of Games 100+ Channel Spectrums Galore
- [New] In 2024, Discover the Joy of Animated Journeys YouTube's Best for Everyday
- The Future of Content Creation Profitability on YouTube for 2024
- [Updated] Discover the Best 8 Mirrorless Cameras That Transform Vlogging for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, Assessing the Impact of Purchased View Count on Channels
- [New] In 2024, Exquisite Film Series Selection - YouTube Edition
- [Updated] How to Trim YouTube Videos Like a Pro
- [New] Unlock Your YouTube Shorts Earnings Potential
- [New] Content Distribution Excellence Vimeo vs YouTube for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Best YouTube Video to Text Converters On-Line
- [Updated] Boosting Channel Earnings The Step-by-Step FameBit Guide to Affiliates for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, Elevate Your Content Strategy with Social Blade and YouTube Stats
- 2024 Approved YouTube Link-Building 101 A Content Marketer's Guide
- [Updated] Sparking Interest Customized, Anime-Style Subscribers on Your YouTube Channel (Filmora)
- [Updated] Discover Ultimate ASMR Microphones for Clear Sounds for 2024
- [Updated] Mastering Engagement Your Essential List of 15 Opener Templates
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Dominate Search Results Powerful YouTube SEO Techniques Exposed
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Enhancing YouTube Beauty Mastering Video Color Dynamics
- [Updated] Continuous Streams Perfect Loops of YouTube Videos for TVs for 2024
- [New] The Top Ten Accelerating YouTube Sectors of Thought
- [Updated] Achieving Excellent Illumination on YouTube Videos for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Audiences on the Move Tracker Apps
- [New] 2024 Approved Enhancing Your Spotify Collection with YouTube Music Integration
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Essential Guide for Prime Webcams in YouTube Live Broadcasts
- [Updated] 2024 Approved A Convenient Compilation Finding Your YT Comments
- [Updated] Crafting Captivating Content The Power of Hashtagging in Gaming YT for 2024
- [New] Content Strategy Unleashed - Top 8 YouTube Ranks Explored for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Boosting Income via YouTube Ads & Analytics Across Platforms
- [New] Mastering Animated GIFs Creating From Youtube Videos Online
- [New] Uncovering ASMR Truths for Viewers
- [New] In 2024, Beef up Your CGI with These 8 Online Repositories of FREE Green Screens and Clips
- [Updated] In 2024, Elevate Your Video's Start with Top YouTube Intro Tips
- [Updated] Ultimate Guide to Remote Podcast Recording for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Key Practices for Soundless Media Gathering
- 2024 Approved Sound Sweep Clearing Background Buzz on Software
- [New] 2024 Approved Mastering Instagram Verification Boost Your Following with These 6 Secrets
- A Detailed VPNa Fake GPS Location Free Review On Infinix Note 30 5G | Dr.fone
- Top 5 Browser Screen Recorders 2023 for 2024
- In 2024, Amplifying Impact YouTube Visibility Techniques
- Top 8 iOS & PC Tools for Effortlessly Altering Your Videos
- Masterclass in Mobile Video Viewing 10 Leading iPhone/iPad Apps for 2024
- [Updated] Tomorrow's Digital Playground A Comparative Study of Metaverse & Omniverse
- [New] TikTok's Best Typeface Tools for Viral Video Success for 2024
- Elite Collective Photo, Music + Visual Creation Fusion
- In 2024, Ranked Your Must-Have 5 iPhones for Excellent Podcasting
- Discover Hidden Secrets Unveiling TikTok's Best & Mystery Emojis
- [New] Refine Your YouTube Identity with Efficient Descriptions
- In 2024, How to Transfer Data from Poco X5 to BlackBerry | Dr.fone
- [Updated] Revolutionize Your Sales Approach with the Best 15 Social Media Analyzers for 2024
- Dell's Direct Methods Easy Screenshot Solutions
- New Rev Up Your Footage Top-Rated Video Speed Changers for Windows and Mac for 2024
- Title: [Updated] In 2024, Comprehensive Guide to YouTube Video Captioning
- Author: Steven
- Created at : 2024-06-05 03:31:02
- Updated at : 2024-06-06 03:31:02
- Link: https://facebook-record-videos.techidaily.com/updated-in-2024-comprehensive-guide-to-youtube-video-captioning/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.