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Auto-Captioning Videos in YouTube: Difference between revisions

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YouTube has provided a way to auto-create caption files from videos you have uploaded. However, the accuracy of the auto-captions is not 100% reliable, especially for disciplinary terms and other specialized language. Therefore, you need to go to the video manager within your YouTube Channel and manually edit the captions. Because of this, it is recommended that you use the auto-caption feature for shorter videos.
YouTube has provided a way to auto-create caption files from videos you have uploaded. However, the accuracy of the auto-captions is not 100% reliable, especially for disciplinary terms and other specialized language. Therefore, you need to go to the video manager within your YouTube channel and manually edit the captions. Because of this, we recommend you only use the auto-caption feature for shorter videos.
 
{{Card
{{Card|variant=info|title=Info|content=* To add or edit a captioning file, you must be the owner of the video and have the video uploaded to YouTube.
| variant = warning
* Automatic captioning works best when the audio is clear and easy to understand. (E.g., background music or speaking in an accent can affect accuracy.)
| title = Auto-Captioning in YouTube
* The automatic captioning option may not be available for all videos.}}
| content = <p>To add or edit a captioning file, you must be the owner of the video and have the video uploaded to YouTube.</p>
<p>It takes some time for YouTube to process your video; therefore, it may take around 10 minutes before the <strong>Automatic</strong> option shows up. The automatic captioning option may not be available for all videos.</p>
}}


== Instructions for auto-captioning ==
If you haven’t already, sign in and [https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/57407?hl=en&ref_topic=7505892 upload] your video to YouTube.
If you haven’t already, sign in and [https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/57407?hl=en&ref_topic=7505892 upload] your video to YouTube.


# In the top right corner, click on your user profile and select '''YouTube Studio''' from the dropdown menu.
# In the top-right corner, click on your user profile and select '''YouTube Studio''' from the dropdown menu. This will bring you to your '''Channel dashboard'''.
# This will bring you to your '''YouTube Studio Channel Dashboard'''.
# Click on '''Subtitles '''from the menu on the left.
# Select '''Subtitles '''from the menu on the left.
# Click on the video you wish to edit subtitles on.
# Click on the video you wish to edit subtitles on.
# In the '''Video Subtitles''' tab and under the field '''Subtitles''', select the pencil icon for '''Details'''.
# In the '''Video Subtitles''' tab and under the field '''Subtitles''', select the pencil icon for '''Details'''.
{{Card|variant=info|title=Info|content=It takes some time for YouTube to process your video; therefore, it may take around 10 minutes or so before the Automatic option shows up.}}
# Test the captions for accuracy by playing the video and reviewing the text concurrently.
# Test the captions for accuracy by playing the video and reviewing the text concurrently.
# To edit the captioning file, select the line that needs repair in the captioning editor text box.
# To edit the captioning file, select the line that needs repair in the captioning editor text box.
# Use the '''+ symbol''' to add and remove captions as needed.
# Use the '''+ symbol''' to add and remove captions as needed.


For additional information about adding captions to your YouTube video, [https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6373554?hl=en consult the official documentation].
== Tips for quality captions ==
A video having captions does not automatically mean the video is accessible. Poor captions can be a barrier to users, and not just for those with hearing impairment (according to studies, "98.6% of [college] students find captions helpful"—[https://www.3playmedia.com/resources/rs-student/ 3PlayMedia]). Keep the following tips in mind to ensure that your video captions are beneficial to all.
* 99% accuracy is the industry standard, but always aim for 100%. That 1% makes a big difference.
* Automatic captioning works best when the audio is clear and easy to understand (e.g., background music or certain accents can affect accuracy).
* Grammar and punctuation matter!
* Most captions are 1–3 lines of text, are time-synced, and stay on screen for 3–7 seconds.


For additional information regarding captioning standards, see [https://www.3playmedia.com/learn/popular-topics/closed-captioning/ 3Play Media's post: The Ultimate Guide to Closed Captioning]. For instance, did you know:
== Additional resources ==
 
* 99% accuracy is the standard, but always aim for 100%.
* Grammar and punctuation matter!
* Most captions are between one to three lines of text, are time-synched, and stay on screen for three to seven seconds.


* For additional information regarding captioning standards, see [https://www.3playmedia.com/learn/popular-topics/closed-captioning/ 3Play Media's post: The Ultimate Guide to Closed Captioning].
* [https://www.3playmedia.com/blog/verizon-media-and-publicis-media-find-viewers-want-captions/ Verizon Media and Publicis Media Find Viewers Want Captions] (3Play Media)
* For more information about adding captions to your YouTube video, [https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6373554?hl=en consult the official documentation].


[[Category:Accessibility]]
[[Category:Accessibility]]
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Latest revision as of 22:03, 26 June 2026

YouTube has provided a way to auto-create caption files from videos you have uploaded. However, the accuracy of the auto-captions is not 100% reliable, especially for disciplinary terms and other specialized language. Therefore, you need to go to the video manager within your YouTube channel and manually edit the captions. Because of this, we recommend you only use the auto-caption feature for shorter videos.

Instructions for auto-captioning

If you haven’t already, sign in and upload your video to YouTube.

  1. In the top-right corner, click on your user profile and select YouTube Studio from the dropdown menu. This will bring you to your Channel dashboard.
  2. Click on Subtitles from the menu on the left.
  3. Click on the video you wish to edit subtitles on.
  4. In the Video Subtitles tab and under the field Subtitles, select the pencil icon for Details.
  5. Test the captions for accuracy by playing the video and reviewing the text concurrently.
  6. To edit the captioning file, select the line that needs repair in the captioning editor text box.
  7. Use the + symbol to add and remove captions as needed.

Tips for quality captions

A video having captions does not automatically mean the video is accessible. Poor captions can be a barrier to users, and not just for those with hearing impairment (according to studies, "98.6% of [college] students find captions helpful"—3PlayMedia). Keep the following tips in mind to ensure that your video captions are beneficial to all.

  • 99% accuracy is the industry standard, but always aim for 100%. That 1% makes a big difference.
  • Automatic captioning works best when the audio is clear and easy to understand (e.g., background music or certain accents can affect accuracy).
  • Grammar and punctuation matter!
  • Most captions are 1–3 lines of text, are time-synced, and stay on screen for 3–7 seconds.

Additional resources

Retrieved from "https://kb.swarthmore.edu/index.php?title=Auto-Captioning_Videos_in_YouTube&oldid=3060"