![[Updated] Mastering Video Captioning on YouTube](https://thmb.techidaily.com/1e90b427765970b2a66b4df52c7b1587d47d7c547c6bb5f5df0fa9181f11e1b7.jpg)
[Updated] Mastering Video Captioning on YouTube
![](/images/site-logo.png)
Mastering Video Captioning on YouTube
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:
- [Updated] The Ultimate Guide to YouTube Thumbnail Crafting
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Corrected Non-Existence of Shorts on Feeds
- [New] The YouTube Studio Masterclass Elevating Your Edits
- [New] Boost Traffic Critical YouTube SEO Instruments for Video Success for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, Charting a Path to Profit Calculating Video View Requirements
- [New] Facebook Live Vs YouTube Live Vs Twitter Periscope for 2024
- [New] The Essence of Elegance in Video Color Balancing
- [New] Ultimate Guide to the Most Effective 16 YouTube Intros
- [New] In 2024, Bypassing Barriers Privately Share YouTube Video via Google
- [New] The Roadmap to Establishing Your Unique Flair
- [New] The Math Behind Making Money YouTube’s Viewer Insights
- [Updated] Infographic Review FIFA Video Gains on Social Platforms
- [Updated] In 2024, Exquisite Film Series Selection - YouTube Edition
- [New] Unlocking YouTube Success Try These Proven Traffic Boosters
- [Updated] In 2024, Banishing the Blank Screen From YouTube Videos
- [New] The Top Tier Content Guild
- Understanding Filmora's Creative Certification Protocol for 2024
- [Updated] Navigating the Link Between YouTube & TikTok Platforms
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Escalate Your Content Reach Leveraging Synergistic YouTube Outros
- Reaching Peak YouTube Potential Through Strategic Creator Studio Usage for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Elevating Your Vlogs with High-Quality Editing - Premiere Pro Style
- [New] Elevating Video Discoverability with Strategic Tagging on Youtube for 2024
- [New] Advanced Techniques for High-Quality YouTube Content for 2024
- YouTubers' Essential Camera Guidebook for 2024
- [New] In 2024, Digital Design Trends to Avoid in Your YouTube Banners
- [New] YouTube Collabs How to Find YouTube Collaboration Partners?
- The Ultimate Guide to YouTube Success with TubeBuddy for 2024
- [New] The Compreenas Guide to Seamless Time Marking in YouTube Videos (Desktop/Mobile)
- Proven Methods for Skyrocketing Viewership on YouTube Shorts for 2024
- [Updated] How to Create a Sports YouTube Channel on Mac?
- [New] YouTube Live Thumbnails The Ultimate Guide
- The Art of Crafting Video Trailers to Elevate Sales for 2024
- [New] Unveiling the Most Advanced YouTube Mp3 Converters
- [Updated] The Income Impact of Sharing on YouTube Shorts
- [New] 2024 Approved Channel Cashflow Effective Tactics for Monetizing on Mobile Devices
- Updated In 2024, Mirroring Magic How to Flip a Video Clip in Final Cut Pro
- [Updated] In 2024, Essential 10 Games Comparable to Grand Theft Auto V
- How to Unlock Oppo F25 Pro 5G PIN Code/Pattern Lock/Password
- Updated M4R Converter 101 What You Need to Know to Get Started for 2024
- In 2024, Snapseed Basics Unlock Your Image-Editing Potential
- The Definitive Guide to IPTV Stream Preservation
- [New] In 2024, Revealing the Top 6 Affordable, Web-Accessible TikTok to MP3 Apps
- In 2024, Navigating Advanced Color Grading Techniques Using LUTs
- 2024 Approved Unlinking From YouTube Shorts - The Complete Process
- [Updated] In 2024, Innovating Advertising on Facebook The Most Effective Videography
- In 2024, How Can We Unlock Our Samsung Galaxy S24+ Phone Screen?
- In 2024, How to Change Apple iPhone SE (2022) Location on Skout | Dr.fone
- 2024 Approved 3 Simplified Ways to Save Lenovo Screenshots
- 2024 Approved X-Digital Editor PC Compatibility
- In 2024, Revolutionize Your Online Video Content Expert Tips on Youtube Live with WireCast
- A Guide to Effective Video Marketing for 2024
- Unlocking the Power of Smart Lock A Beginners Guide for Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G Users
- In 2024, 15 Best Free Cinematic LUTs for Your Film
- In 2024, Stepwise Strategies for Measuring YT Success Metrics and Revenue
- Updated In 2024, Unleash Your Creativity with a Fast and Reliable Video Editor
- How to Bypass Apple iPhone 6 Passcode Easily Video Inside
- In 2024, 8 Ways to Transfer Photos from Motorola Moto G23 to iPhone Easily | Dr.fone
- Having Issues Trying to View SRT Files when You Add Subtitle Files for VLC? Learn the Right Ways to Do so and the Best Alternative Solution for 2024
- 5 Solutions For Samsung Galaxy A24 Unlock Without Password
- [New] Best Value for Money 8 Ace Free SRT Apps Reviewed
- Title: [Updated] Mastering Video Captioning on YouTube
- Author: Steven
- Created at : 2024-06-05 03:25:34
- Updated at : 2024-06-06 03:25:34
- Link: https://facebook-record-videos.techidaily.com/updated-mastering-video-captioning-on-youtube/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.