Are you struggling to get views on your videos? With a significant shift towards video content, attracting more customers may seem quite simple. However, you can easily fall into the void of similar content due to increasing competition. To stand out from the rest, you should increase the accessibility of your videos by providing captions or transcriptions.
On the surface, both caption and transcription are the text versions of the audio in your videos. But where the transcript exists as a separate document, captions are on-screen descriptions of your video. Let’s explore the key differences between the two so you can learn to use them more effectively.
Key Differences - Video Transcription vs Captions
Both video transcriptions and captions may seem quite similar, especially if you are a new content creator, but they have different objectives. Where video transcription is a full textual representation of a video, captions are time-synchronized chunks of text displayed on the screen.
Both captions and transcriptions have different purposes, formats, and applications, even though the former is derived from the latter. Generally, transcriptions are mainly used to improve the video’s ranking on search engines, while captions make the videos more accessible to viewers. You can refer to the following table to understand their differences more clearly.
| Features | Video Transcription | Captions |
| Definition | The process of converting audio or speech to text | The process of splitting a video transcript into time-synchronized chunks |
| Format | Continuous blocks of text | Concise text |
| Location | In a separate document | At the bottom of a video screen |
| Purpose | To provide a written record of the audio | To make the video more accessible |
| Ideal For | Indexing and referencing | People in noisy environments |
| Creating captions | Viewers with hearing impairments |
Video Transcription
Transcription is the process of converting the audio of a video into written format. In simple terms, it is a textual representation of audio, covering all components, including dialogues, background noises, and other non-verbal sounds. Unlike captions, video transcriptions are continuous blocks of text presented in a separate document.
These word-for-word records improve the SEO ranking of your videos and are useful for research and captioning. There are several types of video transcription, but verbatim and non-verbatim transcription are the two main categories. Verbatim transcription transcribes every sound in the video, whereas non-verbatim transcription omits unclear audio elements.
Pros
- Improves the SEO performance
- Helps your video rank high in search engine results
- Creates a permanent record of the video
- Reliable source for research and captioning
- Provides a better user experience
Cons
- Depends on the audio quality
- Accuracy issues in software-generated transcripts
- Security concerns while using transcription tools
Captioning
Captioning is the process of adding captions to the video. In essence, it is quite similar to transcription, offering a readable version of the video’s audio. However, captions are divided into small chunks called caption frames and synchronized to the audio to aid deaf, hard-of-hearing individuals and people in noisy environments to understand the video.
Captions are usually derived from video transcription and include additional elements like the speaker’s name, music description, and sound effects. They increase the accessibility of your videos, allowing even non-native speakers to engage with your content. Captions can be open (always visible on screen) or closed (viewers can turn them on or off).
Pros
- Increase the accessibility of videos
- Improve audience comprehension
- Better engagement
- Help you reach more people
Cons
- Distracting for neurodivergent audience
- Quality depends on the video
- Closed captions are incompatible with several platforms
- You cannot edit open captions once the video is uploaded
Transcriptionist vs. Captioner
While both transcriptionist and captioner make your video content readable, their roles and responsibilities are significantly different. Captioners mainly create captions for videos, ensuring that the text is perfectly synchronized with the audio and delivers the right message. This role requires typing and listening skills and proficiency in specialized captioning software.
On the other hand, a transcriptionist is a professional who converts audio to text. They often use text editing or word processing software to transcribe the video. Transcriptionists have excellent research, documentation, and technological skills. The following table gives you a glimpse of how transcriptionists and captioners differ from each other.
| Features | Transcriptionist | Captioner |
| Role | Creates a written copy of a video’s audio | Creates video captions by splitting existing transcription |
| Required Qualification | Transcriptionist program certificate / Associate degree | Associate or Bachelor’s degree |
| Required Skills | Documentation, research & technological skills | Listening, typing, and editing |
| Tools | Audio playback or text editing software | Specialized captioning software |
| Services | Transcribing interviews, meetings, or podcasts | Subtitling for TV shows, movies or documentaries |
What Does a Transcriptionist Do?
A transcriptionist creates a written copy of audio and video content. These highly skilled individuals rely on audio playback, text editing, or word processing software to produce accurate transcriptions. They take on many transcription projects and have excellent documentation, research, and multi-tasking skills. Unlike captioners, transcriptionists transcribe a variety of content, including interviews, meetings, and podcasts.
What Does a Captioner Do?
A captioner, on the other hand, adds captions to the videos to increase their visibility. These professionals have excellent listening, typing, and editing skills and use specialized captioning software for efficient results.
Unlike transcriptionists, captioners make sure that their captions are perfectly timed with the video’s audio. They often provide subtitling services to film studios, production houses, streaming platforms, and more.
Why Transcription & Captioning is Important?
Around 87% of businesses have improved their sales with video marketing. However, a higher video production budget does not guarantee higher engagement. You might need something more than unique content and eye-catching thumbnails to get more views.
According to Wistia, about 26% of businesses believe that accessible videos provide a better user experience. We all know that captions and transcripts can draw a larger crowd. Since 85% of Facebook users watch videos on mute, you can use transcriptions or captions to catch their attention. Text-based version of your video’s content also attracts people with hearing impairments, helping you further expand your reach.
Transcriptions, Captions & Accessibility Laws
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, around 15% of Americans aged over 18 face some type of hearing impairment. These hearing disabilities include deafness, noise sensitivity, and more. The US government strongly advocates the rights of such people through various anti-discrimination programs. One such example is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Under the ADA, deaf or hard of hearing individuals are entitled to all the services as other citizens, including technology services. Titles II and III of this anti-discrimination act, include accessibility laws, stating that videos displayed in shared public spaces like libraries, hotels, theaters, universities, and more, should have captions.
Similarly, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Rehab Act in short, focuses on the accessibility of information technology. It requires federal agencies to make communication and information technologies, like videos, documents, and websites, more accessible to people with disabilities.
Best Strategy for Transcription & Caption Creation
Both transcription and captions are important elements of a successful video marketing strategy. However, they are time-consuming tasks and require specific skills and experience. Instead of trying your luck, outsource these services to a reliable captioning service provider for better results. So, whether you are an online teacher, a researcher, or a content producer, explore top transcription and captioning solutions and boost your online engagement.
