!["[Updated] In 2024, Beginner's Guide Adding Text Overlays on YouTube"](https://thmb.techidaily.com/d940e7732f01996ef0ed9bff8746265de4ef97bd20619840505d03a7ae8944c3.jpg)
"[Updated] In 2024, Beginner's Guide Adding Text Overlays on YouTube"
![](/images/site-logo.png)
Beginner’s Guide: Adding Text Overlays 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] Becoming a Pro in Video Game Broadcasts for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Building a Successful YouTube Channel Sidestep These 8 Frequent Faux Pas
- [Updated] In 2024, Discovering Success Through the Most Effective 15 YouTube Themes
- [Updated] In 2024, Creative Music Videos A List of 15 YouTube Projects
- [Updated] The Ultimate Guide to Picking Powerful YT Thumbnails
- [Updated] Maximize Screen Time Top 10 Free YouTube Playlist Extractors
- [New] 2024 Approved Comedy Chorus Satirical Song Selections
- Top YouTube Fonts for Striking, Shareable Thumbnails for 2024
- [New] In 2024, Ethical Approaches to Extract MP4 From YouTube
- [Updated] Rapid Learning From Visuals To Vivid YouTube Channel Thumbnails
- In 2024, How To Edit YouTube Videos
- [New] The Essential List 6 Diverse Websites for YouTube Visuals
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Channel Conversion Secrets YT Vs IGTV
- [New] Tailoring the Perfect YouTube Conclusion for Engagement
- [Updated] Seamless TV Integration Looping Videos From YouTube on Large Screens
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Amplify Views & Engagement Through Google Analytics Expertise
- [Updated] The Essential Guide to Efficient YouTube Follow Link Design
- [New] 2024 Approved Avoiding Common Pitfalls in YouTube Sponsorships, According to FameBit
- [Updated] In 2024, Essential Steps for Chromakey Magic
- [New] In 2024, Expert Advice Incorporating Narrative Elements Into YouTube Videos
- [Updated] Expedited Guide to Effective Double-Take Technique
- [Updated] In 2024, A Vlogger's Dream Exploring the Best 12 Video Capture Devices
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Essential Guide to Creating Popularity with YouTube Opens
- [Updated] In 2024, Enhancing Mobile Cinematography - The Top 9 Accessories Reviewed
- [Updated] Premier Screener for Capturing High-Quality Videos
- [New] In 2024, Elite Zero-Cost FB Picture/Movie Composer
- [Updated] Expertly Selected 6 Premier Tools to Refine Your Images Online
- [Updated] Gastronomic Gala Top Food Videos Sweeping Social Media for 2024
- [Updated] Forge Partnerships From Initial Contact to Final Deal on Youtube
- Troubleshooting Guide How to Fix an Unresponsive Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Screen | Dr.fone
- Unveiling the Top 10 Free Audio Recording Apps for Professional Podcasters
- [Updated] 2024 Approved The Ultimate Guide to Non-Vimeo Editing Software
- Craft and Share 360 Videos to YouTube An Essential Guide for Creators
- [Updated] In 2024, SoundCheck Summary
- Expert Tips Maximizing Your Win11 Conference Capabilities
- Vimeo's Zero-Dollar Video Editing Pathway
- Easy Desktop Screen Capture Method for 2024
- Groove Like a Pro Top 20 Unique & Chill TikTok Patterns for 2024
- [New] Bring Life to Your Instagram Posts with Branded Graphics & Icons
- How To Change Vivo Y100 Lock Screen Password?
- In 2024, How to Unlock iPhone XS Max When We Dont Have Apple ID or Password?
- [New] Next-Gen Cinema A Virtual Leap Forward
- In 2024, Optimize Your Watch Habits The Ultimate Guide for Constructing YouTube Saved Lists
- New In 2024, Slow and Steady Wins Free Slow Motion Video Editing with Filmora
- In 2024, Hassle-Free Ways to Remove FRP Lock on Samsung Galaxy A15 4Gwith/without a PC
- Title: "[Updated] In 2024, Beginner's Guide Adding Text Overlays on YouTube"
- Author: Kenneth
- Created at : 2024-06-05 09:34:54
- Updated at : 2024-06-06 09:34:54
- Link: https://facebook-video-footage.techidaily.com/updated-in-2024-beginners-guide-adding-text-overlays-on-youtube/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.