Subtitles on your videos can help you boost your views. Learn why this is and how to add subtitles to YouTube videos in this guide.
Have you ever watched a video without sound? You’re not alone. In fact, 69% of people watch videos with the sound off.
Whether you’re riding a crowded bus you forgot to bring your headphones to the library, there’s a good chance you’ve watched a video without sound.
But, it’s nearly impossible to get the full experience of a video without hearing it.
The good news is, there’s a simple solution to this problem: subtitles. Read on to learn how to add subtitles to YouTube videos, how it can help your video views, and why it’s important.
How to Add Subtitles to YouTube Videos
If you’ve already uploaded your video to YouTube, you can still add subtitles. First, open your YouTube account and go to the Video Manager within the Creator Studio. Choose the video you want to edit, click on the Subtitles/CC option, and then click Add New Subtitles.
Then, you have four options. You can type out the captions and sync them with the video, upload a separate subtitle file, transcribe the captions and then auto-sync them to the video, or use automatic captioning.
You can also add captions to your videos before you upload them to YouTube. Some video editing software comes with the option to add subtitle to videos projects. With this option, you’ll have more control over the text style and design of your captions.
Why Subtitles Are Important for Video Views
A lot of people watch videos without sound, but that’s not the only reason subtitles are important.
YouTube is available in 80 languages. Plus, videos in English only make up 33% of the platform’s most popular videos. If you’re not accommodating any other languages, you’re limiting your audience.
Even if your viewers are native English speakers, people still appreciate subtitles. It makes videos easier to understand and your viewers will be more engaged.
Videos with captions also do better on social platforms. If you share your YouTube videos without captions on social media, people won’t be as engaged. That’s because the majority of people who watch videos on social media, watch them without sound.
Finally, subtitles will also help your SEO. High video engagement and social shares can help boost your rankings.
Subtitles and Accessibility
Subtitles are also an important part of accessibility for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Since hearing loss is so common around the world, you’d be alienating a large portion of your potential audience.
Adding subtitles not only makes your videos more inclusive, it also gives you access to a wider audience. And with a larger audience comes an increase in video views.
Upgrade Your Videos with Subtitles Today
Whether you’re a full-time video content creator or a part-time hobbyist, knowing how to add subtitles to YouTube videos is a valuable skill. It takes time to add subtitles, but it’s well worth it when you no longer have YouTube videos without views.
Subtitles will make any video more accessible to your audience and look more professional. They can also help grow your video views. When you upgrade your videos with subtitles, everyone wins.
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