Did you know that about 85% of Facebook videos are watched without sound? And, on YouTube, that number jumps up to 99%. That's a lot of people watching videos without any audio!

So, if you're creating video content, it's important to make sure your message is still clear even without the sound. One way to do that is by adding captions and transcripts to your videos.

Captions can help viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing follow along with your video, and transcripts can help those who are not fluent in the language you're speaking understand what you're saying.

Adding captions and transcripts may seem like an extra step, but it's worth it for the added engagement they can bring.

What is transcription?

Transcription is the process of converting spoken words into text. This can be done manually or through the use of speech-to-text software. Transcription is often used for closed captioning, which provides a written version of the dialogue and other audio elements for people who are unable to hear the audio.

What are captions?

Captions are a written version of the dialogue and other audio elements for people who are unable to hear the audio. Captions can be created manually or through the use of speech-to-text software. Closed captions also include information about sound effects, music, and other non-verbal audio cues.

Why add captions and transcripts to your videos?

Adding captions and transcripts to your videos is important for several reasons:

#1 They can help you rank in SERP

Adding captions and transcripts can help improve your video’s search engine optimization (SEO). This is because search engines like Google crawl the text on websites to index them – so if you include relevant keywords in your captions and transcripts, your videos are more likely to show up in relevant search results.

#2 They can help improve engagement

A study by Facebook found that adding captions to videos can increase viewing time by an average of 12%. Viewers who watch videos with transcripts are more likely to stick around until the end, which means they're more likely to engage with your call-to-action.

#3They make your videos accessible to a wider audience

Captions and transcripts are important for making your videos accessible to a wider audience. They provide a way for people who are deaf or hard of hearing to access your content, and they also make your videos more searchable online. If there is an audience who is not speaking your language, captions and transcripts can help them follow along.

Including captions and transcripts also shows that you are committed to making your content accessible to everyone. This is important for building trust with your audience and creating a feeling of inclusivity.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many reasons why you should add captions and transcripts to your videos. If you're not already doing so, start adding them to your videos today!