Comprehensive Guide on How Do I Add Subtitles to a Video

Creating effective video content requires more than just captivating visuals; it also needs accessible elements that engage a diverse audience. One of the most impactful elements is subtitles, which make the content accessible to people with auditory challenges and those who speak different languages.

Beyond accessibility, subtitles maintain attention and improve SEO, making content more discoverable in search engines. Adding subtitles can also boost the professionalism of a video, which helps keep viewers connected to your message. This article provides a comprehensive guide to resolve your confusion on how do I add subtitles to a video on different platforms to make them inclusive.

Part 1. How To Add Subtitles to an Existing YouTube Video?

Now that you understand the topic, let’s begin adding subtitles on different platforms. As we know, YouTube is a leading video-sharing platform that also offers essential tools for adding subtitles to enhance viewer engagement. It ensures users can edit or translate subtitles to get more control over the video. Track the steps below to understand how to add captions to YouTube videos and reach a broader audience:

Step 1. Get access to YouTube Studio and enter the "Subtitles" tab from the left navigation bar. Now, click on the video that you have uploaded and move to the next interface.

Step 2. Once you are at the "Video subtitles" panel within the YouTube Studio interface, hit the "Edit" icon.

Step 3. On the next screen, YouTube will let you add subtitles through three different options. From here, tap the "Upload file" option and import the SRT file of your choice.

Step 4. Once your subtitles file is uploaded, ensure the captions align with the audio and video. When you are certain that the video is ready for public appearance, hit the "Publish" button at the top right corner.

Part 2. How To Add Subtitles to a Video Being Posted on Facebook?

Moving on from YouTube, here is an explanation of how Facebook works to help you add captions. Being the best social media platform, Facebook offers a simple method of adding subtitles. Creators must upload a subtitle file to ensure precise control over the timing and content. By examining the steps below, you will understand how to add subtitles to a video through Facebook:

Step 1. Start by entering this platform on your desired browser and creating a post. Then, hit the "Add Photos/Videos" tab to import the video you want to show to the public.

Step 2. Once your video is up on the interface, tap the "Edit" button on the left side of the media.

Step 3. Within the "Video detail" dialog box that appears, click the downward arrow next to the "Add captions" tab. From the dropdown menu, press the "Upload" button to add the subtitles file and integrate them into the media. To conclude the process, hit the "Save" button to upload the video with subtitles on the Facebook Meta platform.

Part 3. How To Add Subtitles to a Video Being Posted on Instagram?

For Instagram users, there is an option for automatically generating subtitles. This can be using the AI-powered subtitles for making videos accessible to viewers, even when the sound is off. The guide below offers a solution to the question of "how do I add subtitles to a video" through Instagram:

Step 1. Upon entering this platform, hit the "Create a New Post" icon on the left side of your screen. Proceed by clicking the "Select from computer" button to upload your video file to Instagram.

Step 2. After your video is up on this toolkit, click the "Cover Photo" button to add an image. Then, adjust the video with the "Trim" feature and hit the "Next" button on the top right corner.

Step 3. Within the "Accessibility" section, turn on the "Auto-generated captions" toggle to get the subtitles for your video. Once you finish editing the video, hit the "Share" option to upload it and let your audience view it.

Part 4. How To Add Captions to YouTube Videos Before Posting

Previously, we discussed the methods for adding captions to YouTube videos after posting them. However, sometimes, you need a tool that allows you to add and edit captions beforehand, accommodating different languages since post-publishing options are limited. Wondershare Filmora is a reliable solution that enables you to create captions before your video goes live.

With support for 27 languages, its AI Text-based Editing tool allows you to generate subtitles in various languages, making your content accessible to a wider audience. You even get access to various animation styles and text customization options to enhance the appearance of the generated captions.

AI Text-Based Editing│Filmora

How Can You Add Subtitles Using Filmora [Desktop Solution]?

As we've defined the benefits of Filmora’s subtitle generation feature, you might want to learn how to add captions to YouTube videos using this software. To walk you through the subtitle generation process of Filmora, the section below explores a detailed guide:

Step 1. Access the AI Text Based Editing Tool

On downloading Filmora’s latest version, launch it on your computer and access the "Toolbox" section on the left side. From the available tools, select the "AI Text Based Editing" tool to import the video for caption generation.

Step 2. Choose Your Target Language

Upon entering the AI Text-Based Editing dialogue box, choose the target language for caption generation by expanding the "Downward" arrow icon. After selecting your desired language, click the "OK" button to initiate transcription.

Step 3. Review the Transcribed Text

When the transcription is over, check the transcribed text if you want to make any changes or remove undesired parts from the script. Now, check the "Go to the subtitle editor after exporting" box on the bottom left and tap the "Export to Timeline" button to edit the subtitles.

Step 4. Customize the Style and Layout of Captions

Moving forward, click the title or caption you want to edit and press the "Customize" tab. This will reveal various caption editing options, including Fill, Effect, and Background colors, allowing you to tailor the style of your captions.

Step 5. Add Animations to the Captions

To enhance your captions further, select the caption and navigate to the "Animation" tab. After choosing an animation, adjust its timing by using the "Duration" slider. When satisfied with the appearance of the captions, head to the "Save" button at the bottom right and integrate the edited captions within the video.

Step 5. Export the Captioned Video to Your Device

On reaching the main workspace of Filmora, tap the "Export" tab at the top right and save the captioned video to your device.

How Can You Add Subtitles Using Filmora App [Mobile Solution]?

Having discussed the functionality of Wondershare Filmora on PC, let's discuss its mobile app. The extensive feature of AI Caption Generator adds subtitles in your video while on the go. If you have a video with faulty subtitles, you can use the Filmora App to remove the existing subtitles and generate new ones. Follow the steps given below to generate the subtitles in more than 15 different languages:

AI Caption│Filmora

Step 1. Upload a Video To Generate Captions

Start by accessing the Filmora App on the phone and explore the main interface. From the list of features, tap the "AI Captions" button to import your video file.

Step 2. Choose the Language and Tap Add Captions

Within the newly appeared screen, expand the "Select the Current Language" menu to choose the original video language. Afterward, tap the "Add Captions" button to generate subtitles for your video.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing how to add subtitles to a video is essential for maximizing accessibility and audience engagement across various platforms. Whether you're using YouTube or any social platform, the outlined steps will help ensure your content reaches a diverse audience. For those looking to streamline the caption-making process and customize subtitles, downloading Filmora is the best option.