YouTube is a great video platform that has enabled many creators to reach a large audience. While creating a video, you may sometimes find the audio unclear, requiring some text to direct the audience.
Moreover, because every creator wishes to have a large global audience, having text accompanying your videos is a great way of delivering the message to the audience.
You can add text to your YouTube video before or after uploading the video. The easiest way to do so is using YouTube Studio, where you open it and select subtitles from the left menu. Select the video you wish to add text, click on Language, and select the desired language. Under the subtitles, click Add and choose how to add text to the video. You can manually add text as an uploaded file or use auto-translate.
This post has explained the best ways of adding text to YouTube videos before or after uploading the video. Let’s dive in!
How To Add Text to YouTube Video
When creating YouTube videos, accompanying them with text is the best way to ensure the audience gets the message. Even though the audio is unclear, the text can direct the viewer on what is happening.
You can add text to your video before or after uploading the video.
Add Text to YouTube by Uploading a File
You can upload a file to add text to a YouTube video.
- Open YouTube Studio.
- Click the “Subtitles” option from the left menu.
- Click on the video where you wish to add text.
- Click on “Add Language” and choose the language.
- Click the “Add” option under “Subtitles.”
- Click the “Upload file” option.
- Click “Continue” once you choose between “With Timing” or “Without Timing.”
- Upload a file containing the text.
- Hit the “Save” button.
Add Text to a Video Through Auto-Sync
Auto-sync enables you to add text to a video as you watch the video. You can also upload a transcript file if you don’t want to add the text directly. When uploading a transcript file, it would be best to set the timing to sync to ensure the text and video match.
Once you add a transcript file, it will be automatically synced with the video. But, when using this method, you must ensure the transcript file is in a language accepted by Google’s speech recognition.
- Repeat steps 1. to 5., explained in the section above.
- Choose the “Auto-sync” option.
- Type in the text while watching the video.
- Alternatively, click the three dots icon and “Upload file” to upload a transcript file if you have it.
- Click the “Edit Timings” option.
- Click on “Save and Close” to enact the changes.
Add Text to a Video Manually
When you want to ensure the video matches the text, you can type in manually the text when you are watching.
- Open YouTube Studio and click the “Subtitles” option.
- Click the video and select the “Add Language” button.
- Click “Add” once you select the language.
- Select “Type Manually.”
- Start playing the video and enter the text while watching.
- Click the “Publish” option when done.
Use Auto Translate To Add Text to YouTube Video
You can use Google’s speech recognition to translate the video automatically when you don’t want to type manually or add a transcript file. Auto translate uses speech recognition technology to create captions automatically.
This method does not require effort because the text will be added automatically if the captions are available.
It is important to note that automatic captions can be added in the video’s default language alone. If you want the text to be in a different language, you must type manually or upload a transcript file.
Conclusion
Adding text to a YouTube video is necessary when you want your message to reach a large audience. If you want an effective method of adding text to your YouTube video, this post has explained the best methods.
