Captions and subtitles are essential elements in content creation. These solutions are useful not only for the hearing-impaired but also for non-native speakers trying to keep up or for anyone who needs to watch videos on the down low in quiet places. Video transcription companies such as Ditto can turn audio into text—and help creators maximize the benefits of captioning and subtitling videos. Additionally, legal transcription services play an important role in ensuring that transcribed content meets professional accuracy standards, particularly for creators or organizations that require precise documentation for compliance or official use.
When content creators embrace captions and subtitles, they open up a new world of possibilities, reaching more people, boosting engagement, ensuring they’re on the right side of the law, and so on. With video content going viral across all platforms, understanding why incorporating captions and subtitles is a must for any creator who wants to make an impact with their work is crucial.
In this article, you’ll learn how:
- Captions can increase viewership by 40% and help videos reach broader, more engaged audiences.
- Captioned videos have a 91% completion rate, compared to only 66% for those without subtitles.
- Automated transcripts average only 61.92% accuracy, while professional services like Ditto provide 99% accurate captions and transcripts.
Social Media Sites That Support Video Content
Before we discuss specifics, let’s discuss which social media sites offer the best value for video content.
| Platform | Year Established | Description | Users As Of 2024 |
| YouTube | 2005 | Video Sharing | 2.7 billion |
| TikTok | 2016 | Short-form Videos | 2 billion |
| 2010 | Photos & Videos | 1.4 billion | |
| 2004 | Social Networking | 3.07 billion | |
| 2006 | Microblogging | 336 million | |
| Snapchat | 2011 | Short-term Content | 513 million |
| 2003 | Professional Networking | 1 billion | |
| Twitch | 2011 | Live Streaming | 140 million |
| 2010 | Idea Sharing | 544.29 million | |
| Vimeo | 2004 | Video Hosting | 260 million |
What are the Benefits of Captioning and Subtitling Videos?
I don’t know about you, but I prefer watching videos with captions. I’m not the only one. Studies have found that captions can increase viewership by an average of 40%.
Subtitles and closed captioning can also make content more inclusive by providing access to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, thereby expanding your potential audience.
With easy internet access, translated subtitles can entice global audiences to engage with and watch videos on your channel.
To ensure the highest level of accuracy and professionalism, creators can also rely on court transcription services, which specialize in producing precise, verbatim transcripts that maintain clarity and consistency—essential qualities when creating captions and subtitles for diverse audiences.
Remember, using closed captions and subtitles can expand your reach—given the quality of your transcripts.
| Topic | Description | Added Insight / Example |
| Improves Accessibility | Captioning and subtitling enhance accessibility for people with hearing loss or those who prefer to watch videos without sound. They also help non-native speakers understand your content more easily. Native speakers benefit too, especially when dealing with unfamiliar accents. | For example, watching Italian videos with English subtitles can improve language comprehension. Likewise, captions help clarify different accents, such as Scottish. Working with deposition transcription services can ensure highly accurate and clear transcripts that make captions and subtitles more effective and accessible. |
| Increases Engagement | Viewers are more likely to watch videos with captions or subtitles to completion. Captioned videos have a 91% completion rate, compared to only 66% for uncaptioned ones. Platforms like YouTube and Facebook prioritize videos with higher watch times in their algorithms. | Since YouTube requires 4,000 hours of watch time for monetization, accurate transcription and captioning can help creators meet that threshold. Incorporating trial transcription services ensures that longer-form content—like webinars or educational sessions—has professional, precise captions that sustain viewer engagement and improve retention. |
| Legal Compliance | Laws and guidelines may require captions or subtitles for online videos to ensure accessibility. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1 AA) establish these standards. | Compliance with accessibility laws protects content creators and businesses from legal issues while fostering inclusivity. Using professional transcription services ensures that all captions meet accuracy and accessibility standards set by these regulations. |
| Repurposing Content With the Help of Transcripts | Transcripts allow creators to repurpose existing video or audio content into new formats—such as online courses, e-books, or blog posts—expanding reach and revenue potential. | Example: A $500 webinar can be converted into a $100 online course using its transcript, creating a passive income stream. Transcripts can also be turned into SEO-optimized blog posts to attract more traffic. High-quality transcription makes this process efficient and profitable. |
| Boosts Ranking and SEO | Transcription makes video content searchable by providing text that search engines can crawl and index. Google relies on algorithms and signals like EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) to rank content. | Since crawlers can’t read audio or video, transcripts improve visibility and ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). By adding accurate text from your videos, you can diversify your keywords naturally and reach broader audiences. |
Should You Settle For Automated Transcripts for Captions and Subtitles?
In most cases, it’s best not to settle for automated solutions. While Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) can provide a general idea of the content, it has many limitations that may compromise the usability of the transcripts.
Studies show automated transcripts can only achieve 61.92% accuracy, even in THE BEST CIRCUMSTANCES. This means that computerized transcripts are bound to contain errors, misinterpretations, or inconsistencies that could be problematic for certain types of content.
For example, accuracy is the most critical factor in educational videos, tutorials, interviews, and legal proceedings, ensuring that information is conveyed correctly.
In those cases, it is highly recommended that you opt for professional human transcription services. These services can convert and provide a more reliable transcript that captures nuances, technical terms, and complicated discussions with better precision.
Let Us Improve Your Video Transcription Accuracy
As an industry leader since 2010, Ditto Transcripts offers world-class transcription services that no other provider can match. Our services include:
- More than 99% accuracy on all types of content transcription
- 100% US-based, human transcription
- Fast turnaround times
- Different and affordable rates to fit different budgets. Check out our legal transcription prices to know more.
- Stringent security measures that meet different regulatory requirements
- No long-term commitments or contracts (pay as you go)
- Industry-leading customer service
- Flexible features for varying requirements
- Professional translation services for Arabic, French, Spanish, German, and more
So what are you waiting for? Reap the benefits of additional reach and retention by captioning and subtitling your videos with Ditto’s professional transcription services. Don’t believe us? Here’s a client testimonial:
Ditto Transcripts is a Denver, Colorado-based FINRA, HIPAA, and CJIS-compliant transcription services company that provides fast, accurate, and affordable transcripts for individuals and companies of all sizes. Call (720) 287-3710 today for a free quote.