How to Add Subtitles in YouTube

Method 1 : Using the YouTube Subtitle Tool to Add Subtitles in YouTube

Step 1: Log in to your YouTube account to access your channel.

Step 2: Click on "My Channel" located in the sidebar to go to your personal YouTube page.

Step 3: Press "Video Manager" located at the top left of your channel to view your uploaded videos. Alternatively, you can click on your account icon and go to "Creator Studio > Video Manager".

Step 4: Click the "Edit" dropdown arrow next to the video you want to add subtitles to and select "Subtitles and CC". This will take you to the subtitling interface.

Step 5: Click on "Add New Subtitles" and choose "Create new subtitles or closed captions" to open the subtitle entry text area next to the video.

Step 6: Select the language for your subtitles to categorize them for viewers worldwide. English language subtitles can be helpful for non-native speakers or individuals with hearing impairments.

Step 7: Play the video and pause at the point where you want to enter a subtitle. This allows you to listen to the spoken line before entering the text.

Step 8: Enter the subtitle text in the provided text area. Use the blue "+" button next to the text area to add the subtitle, which will appear in the transcript and timeline below the video.

Step 9: Adjust the length of the subtitle by clicking and dragging the bars on either side of it
in the timeline. This allows you to determine when the subtitle starts and stops displaying.

Step 10: Once you have completed subtitling, click "Publish" to upload the video with the added subtitles.

Method 2 : Adding Subtitles to Your Video by Uploading a File

Step 1: Open a text editor of your choice, such as Notepad for Windows users or TextEdit for Mac users.

Step 2: Create your subtitles in the required format, including the subtitle number, timestamp, and text. Each line should represent a different subtitle. Use the hour:minute:second:millisecond format for timestamps.

Step 3: Go to the "File" menu and select "Save As..." to save your subtitles file.

Step 4: Enter a filename for your subtitles file and make sure it ends with the ".srt" extension, which is commonly used for subtitle files.

Step 5: In the "Save As Type" menu, choose "All Files" to ensure the correct file type is selected.

Step 6: Select the "UTF-8" encoding option from the "Encoding" menu. This encoding is necessary for proper functioning of SubRip files. Click "Save" to save the subtitles file.

Step 7: Access your YouTube "Video Manager" by logging into your YouTube account and clicking on "My Channel > Video Manager" or "Creator Studio > Video Manager" from your account icon.

Step 8: Click the "Edit" dropdown arrow next to the video you want to add subtitles to and select "Subtitles and CC". This will take you to the subtitling interface.

Step 9: Click on "Add New Subtitles" and choose "Upload a File" from the popup menu.

Step 10: Select "Subtitle File" from the menu and browse for the subtitles file you created. Click "Upload" to upload the file.

Step 11: The subtitles will be extracted from your .srt file and displayed in the timeline and transcript.

Step 12: Adjust your subtitles as needed by editing the text in the transcript or modifying the timestamps by dragging the bars in the timeline.

Method 3 : Utilizing YouTube's Automated Transcript Synchronization to Add Subtitles in Youtube

Step 1: Access your YouTube "Video Manager" by logging into your YouTube account. You can do this by pressing "My Channel > Video Manager" or by clicking your account icon and selecting "Creator Studio > Video Manager."

Step 2: Click the "Edit" dropdown arrow next to the video you want to add subtitles to and choose "Subtitles and CC." This action will take you to the subtitling interface.

Step 3: Click on "Add New Subtitles" and select "Transcribe and auto-sync." A text area will appear next to the video where you can enter the subtitles.

Step 4: Select the language for your subtitles.

Step 5: Transcribe the video by typing out the spoken content into the text area. You don't need to worry about the timings at this stage.

Step 6: Click "Set Timings." YouTube will automatically synchronize the transcribed text with the timings in the video.

Step 7: Adjust the timings as needed. The auto-synced subtitles will be displayed in the timeline. You can fine-tune the timings by clicking and dragging the bars on either side of the subtitle.

Step 8: When you are ready, click "Publish" to upload the video with the added subtitles.

By following these step-by-step instructions, you can use YouTube's automatic transcript synchronization feature to easily add subtitles to your videos.

Additionally, if you aim to create high-quality videos, consider improving the audio by enhancing the external microphone's quality, minimizing reverberation during recording, recording in a space with reduced echo (such as a closet with clothes), using a pop filter, and maintaining an appropriate distance from the microphone while recording.

Conclusion

In conclusion, adding subtitles to your YouTube videos is a simple yet impactful way to improve accessibility and engage a broader audience. By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this article, you can easily add subtitles to your videos using YouTube's intuitive features.

Whether you choose to manually transcribe the content, upload subtitle files, or utilize automatic transcript synchronization, subtitles make your videos more inclusive and enjoyable for viewers around the world.

Embracing subtitles not only benefits individuals with hearing impairments or language barriers but also helps your content reach a wider audience, enhancing its overall impact and promoting inclusivity in the digital space.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. Is there an automatic way to sync subtitles with my YouTube videos?

Yes, YouTube offers an automatic transcript synchronization feature. In the "Subtitles and CC" section, select "Add New Subtitles" and choose the option to transcribe and auto-sync. YouTube will sync the text you enter with the timings in the video.

Q2. Are there any best practices for adding subtitles to YouTube videos?

It's recommended to transcribe accurately, proofread for errors, and ensure proper timing alignment. Additionally, consider providing subtitles in multiple languages to cater to a diverse audience.

Q3. Can I edit or adjust the timings of the subtitles after adding them to my video?

Yes, you can adjust the timings of the subtitles in the YouTube subtitling interface. Simply go to the "Subtitles and CC" section, select your video, and make the necessary adjustments in the timeline.

Q4. How do I publish the video with subtitles?

Once you have added and adjusted the subtitles, simply click the "Publish" button in the subtitling interface. YouTube will upload the subtitles along with your video.

Q5. Will adding subtitles to my YouTube videos improve their visibility?

While subtitles themselves don't directly impact visibility, they enhance accessibility and make your content more inclusive. This can result in increased engagement, wider reach, and improved viewer satisfaction.