Are you wondering how to improve accuracy with YouTube transcriptions? YouTube’s automatic transcription feature has been quite useful for video content, making it more accessible to viewers around the world. It also helps non-native speakers understand better and lets people quickly scan through video content. The problem is that YouTube’s automatic transcription accuracy isn’t even close to being accurate. Luckily, video transcripts produced by professionals solves the problem.
In this article, you’ll learn how:
- Over 1.5 billion people worldwide have hearing loss, and accurate captions can help them fully engage with content.
- 80% of Americans are more likely to watch a video if it has captions.
- Auto-generated transcripts are 86% accurate at best, according to studies.
Why Should You Transcribe YouTube Videos?
The short answer is: To make your content more accessible to a diverse audience.
According to recent data, over 1.5 billion people worldwide have hearing loss, and accurate captions can help these people fully engage with the content. For me, this alone is a compelling reason for YouTubers to transcribe their videos.
However, transcribing YouTube videos doesn’t only help with accessibility, it also has other benefits. Search engines like Google index video subtitles in the form of text, which makes the content easier to discover. Better visibility can boost a video’s rankings and increase viewership, which can also mean more ad revenues for the creators.
Also, the numbers don’t lie: adding captions to YouTube videos can increase views by 7.32%, and 80% of Americans are more likely to watch a video if it has captions—a clear sign that transcription can greatly impact engagement.
Types of YouTube Videos Where Transcription is Crucial
Before discussing the finer details, below are some types of YouTube videos where transcriptions are crucial.
| Videos | Description |
| Educational Content | Transcripts make learning materials accessible to all students, including those with learning disabilities. |
| Interviews and Podcasts | Transcription allows viewers to catch key points and easily reference the content later. |
| News Videos | Captions ensure that important information is conveyed accurately. |
| Tutorials Videos | Step-by-step instructions are easier to follow when accompanied by written text. |
| Fictional Series | Transcripts help viewers keep track of character names, locations, and plot points. |
| Comedy Sketches | Captions capture punchlines, ensuring no jokes are missed due to timing, accents, or audio quality. |
| Product Reviews | Transcription helps viewers quickly scan for key features, specifications, and opinions. |
| Documentaries | Accurate captions are crucial for fact-checking, quoting, and engaging with the content more deeply. |
Best Practices to Improve Transcript Accuracy on YouTube Videos
There are multiple ways to improve transcript accuracy on YouTube videos. Below are some of the most effective ways—at least based on my experience at the forefront of transcription since 2010.
Format and Edit Auto-Generated Transcriptions
For content creators looking to improve the reach of YouTube content, nailing down accurate auto-generated transcripts is crucial because these transcripts are 86% accurate AT BEST, according to studies.
Educational channels that explore the finest details of math and science, like Numberphile and Veritasium, can significantly benefit from giving AI transcriptions a thorough once-over. Creators should focus on fixing any slip-ups in technical jargon, names, numbers, and so on since YouTube’s transcription system tends to stumble a lot.
Speak Clearly and Enunciate
Another important practice for improving transcript accuracy is speaking clearly and enunciating words. This is especially beneficial for education channels like Crash Course, which packs a lot of information into each video. YouTube’s auto-generated transcriptions can be more accurate this way.
When recording, creators should focus on distinctly pronouncing each word and keeping a moderate pace. If they have an accent or are discussing a topic with a lot of technical terms, they might want to slow down their speech a bit—it gives the transcription system a better chance of understanding what they’re saying.
Include SEO Keywords and Phrases
Try using relevant SEO keywords and phrases. Do some research to find keywords that fit your topic, and then weave them into your script naturally when you’re planning your video.
Let’s say you have a digital marketing channel like Neil Patel. You might sprinkle phrases like “search engine optimization,” “content marketing,” or “social media marketing” throughout your video.
If you can use SEO keywords naturally, the transcription system will have a better chance of picking them up, and your content will be easier for potential viewers to find.
Avoid Jargon and Slang
Content creators should avoid using jargon and slang in their videos. Sure, these terms can make the content more relatable to a specific crowd; however, they can also trip up the transcription process since the system will certainly not recognize them.
If jargon or slang is necessary, creators might consider providing a quick definition in the video. This not only helps the transcription system better handle the context, but it also makes the content more accessible to viewers who might not be familiar with the terminology.
Use Proper Punctuation
When you use commas, periods, question marks, and other punctuation marks correctly, you break up the text into bite-sized pieces that are easier for YouTube’s transcription system to follow.
Plus, proper punctuation is a big deal when boosting your video’s SEO performance. Search engines use these marks to grasp the meaning of the text better. So, if you nail your punctuation, it can boost your video search results, which means more people are likely to see it.
Upload Human-Made Transcripts
If you’re serious about hitting the mark out of accurate transcriptions, uploading human-made transcripts for captions is your most viable option. Sure, auto-generated transcriptions have improved over time; however, they still can’t hold a candle to the accuracy of human-made alternatives. Professional transcription services like Ditto Transcripts are consistently >99% precise.
Channels tackling complicated topics or feature speakers with heavy accents part and parcel here at Dittos. With error-free transcripts, creators can make their content way more accessible, and it’ll be much easier for a wider audience to comprehend their videos.
Should You Settle For Automated YouTube Transcripts?
No, it’s best not to settle for automated solutions in most cases. While YouTube’s automation feature can provide a general idea of the content, it has many limitations that may compromise the usability of the transcripts.
Automated transcripts—including YouTube’s—aren’t yet at the point where they can reach 100%, or even 90% accuracy, even with the best circumstances. This means that YouTube transcripts are bound to contain errors, misinterpretations, or inconsistencies that could be problematic for certain types of content.
For example, accuracy is the most important factor in educational videos, tutorials, interviews, or legal proceedings, ensuring the information is correctly conveyed.
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 YouTube Transcription Accuracy
With a strong presence in the industry since 2010, Ditto 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
- 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
Get the Best YouTube Transcripts with Ditto
So what are you waiting for? Maximize your reach and retention with Ditto’s professional transcription services and see the difference.
Ditto Transcripts is a Denver, Colorado-based 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, and ask about our free five-day trial.
