Why Videos Need Subtitles
Video without subtitles misses audiences:
- 85% of Facebook videos watched without sound
- Deaf/hard-of-hearing viewers excluded
- Non-native speakers struggle to follow
- Noisy environments make audio impossible
- SEO benefits from text content
Types of Video Text
Subtitles/Closed Captions
- Synchronized with video timing
- Appear on screen as speech happens
- Can be turned on/off by viewer
Transcripts
- Full text of video content
- Not synchronized to video
- Published alongside or below video
Open Captions
- Burned into video permanently
- Always visible
- Good for social media
What You'll Need
- Your video file or audio extracted
- Transcription tool (we'll use VoiceScribe)
- Subtitle software or platform
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Extract Audio (If Needed)
Using FFmpeg:
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 -vn audio.mp3
Using video software:
Most editors can export audio-only
Alternative:
Upload video directly to VoiceScribe
Step 2: Transcribe
- Go to voicescribe.app
- Upload audio or video file
- Download transcript
Step 3: Create Subtitles
Option A: Platform Auto-Sync
- YouTube auto-generates timing from transcript
- Upload transcript, platform creates captions
- Review and fix timing issues
Option B: Subtitle Software
- Use Subtitle Edit, Aegisub, etc.
- Import transcript
- Adjust timing manually
- Export as SRT or VTT
Option C: Video Editor
- Add text tracks in Premiere, Final Cut, etc.
- More control but more work
- Best for burned-in captions
Step 4: Review and Publish
Always review before publishing:
- Timing matches speech
- Spelling is correct
- Line breaks are reasonable
- Nothing important is missed
Platform-Specific Guides
YouTube
- Upload video
- Go to Subtitles section
- Upload SRT or paste transcript
- Review auto-generated timing
- Publish captions
Instagram/TikTok
- Built-in auto-captions (review accuracy)
- Or burn captions into video
- Keep captions concise
- Upload SRT file with video
- Or use auto-caption feature
- Review accuracy before posting
- Upload SRT with video upload
- Or include transcript in post
- Important for professional content
Subtitle Formatting Best Practices
Text Guidelines
- Max 2 lines per subtitle
- Max 42 characters per line
- One sentence or phrase per subtitle
- Don't split words or awkward phrases
Timing Guidelines
- Minimum 1 second per subtitle
- Maximum 6 seconds
- 150ms gap between subtitles
- Sync with speech start
Style
- Consistent font and size
- Readable against background
- Don't cover important visuals
- Consider background box for readability
Accessibility Considerations
For Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing
- Include speaker identification
- Note significant sounds [doorbell rings]
- Describe music [upbeat music]
- Include all spoken content
For Learning/Language
- Clear, accurate text
- Proper punctuation
- Avoid jargon in captions
- Define technical terms
SEO Benefits
Transcripts and captions improve:
- Search engine indexing
- Video discoverability
- Watch time (viewers stay longer)
- Accessibility compliance
Common Issues
Problem: Timing is off throughout
Solution: May be audio sync issue. Re-check video export settings.
Problem: Auto-captions have many errors
Solution: Use transcription + manual timing for accuracy. Auto-captions are drafts.
Problem: Subtitles cover important visuals
Solution: Adjust position or timing. Consider repositioning key subtitles.
Workflow for Regular Videos
For Each Video
- Export/separate audio
- Transcribe
- Create/sync subtitles
- Review
- Upload captions with video
- Add transcript to description/page
Batch Processing
- Transcribe multiple videos
- Create templates for consistent styling
- Train team on workflow
Conclusion
Video subtitles and transcripts dramatically increase content accessibility and reach. What was once expensive and time-consuming is now achievable with AI transcription and simple editing.
The investment pays off through larger audiences, better SEO, and serving viewers who need or prefer text.