YouTube Transcript: How to Create and Access It 2024

YouTube Transcripts: Why They Matter and How to Use Them

Videos are powerful. They show what is happening, but sometimes, the audio gets lost. If you have struggled to follow what someone said in a YouTube video, you are not alone. Poor sound or background noise can make it hard to understand the content. Transcripts can solve this problem, making your videos more valuable and accessible. This guide explains what YouTube transcripts are, why they are important, and how you can use them to boost your content.

What Is a YouTube Transcript?

A YouTube transcript is a written record of all spoken words in a video. It is like a movie script, but for YouTube videos. Transcripts are often shown as captions or subtitles at the bottom of the video.

• They help viewers follow the conversation, even if the audio is unclear.
• Transcripts can be in the video's original language or translated into others.
• They support accessibility for people with hearing loss.

According to Google, transcripts provide accessible information when audio quality is poor or viewers want to read along.

Why YouTube Transcripts Are Essential

Transcripts do much more than repeat words. They help everyone, from casual viewers to business owners and students.

Reach a Wider Audience

Many viewers face problems with sound quality, noisy surroundings, or language barriers. Some watch videos in libraries, on public transit, or other noisy spaces. Others may prefer to watch silently so they do not disturb others.

• Transcripts let viewers follow along without needing sound.
• They help people with hearing loss understand videos.
• Watching with captions can prevent noise-induced hearing loss (CDC, 2020).

Boost SEO and Search Rankings

Adding transcripts is a smart SEO move. Search engines cannot watch videos, but they can read text. When your video has a transcript, it contains keywords that help search engines understand the content.

• Videos with captions see an average increase of 7.32% in views (3Play Media, 2020).
• Transcripts make your video easier to find in search results.
• Keywords in transcripts improve indexing and ranking.

Check out [Transcription services](https://gotranscript.com/transcription-services) to learn more about professional solutions.

Grow Engagement

Transcripts and captions keep viewers watching longer. When viewers can read along, they miss less—even if the audio is unclear or the speaker's accent is difficult to understand.

• Captions help hold attention, especially on mobile devices.
• They encourage viewers to subscribe or share your channel.

For content creators, this means better retention and a stronger community.

Enhance User Experience

Transcripts help all kinds of viewers, including students, researchers, and non-native speakers.

• Students can study video lectures more efficiently.
• Journalists can verify quotes quickly.
• Non-native speakers can use translation tools to understand videos.

Explore our [Text Translation services](https://gotranscript.com/text-translation-services) and [Audio translation service](https://gotranscript.com/audio-translation-services) for more language options.

How to Add and Use YouTube Transcripts

You can add transcripts to your videos in two main ways:

1. Automated YouTube Transcription

YouTube offers auto-generated captions using its own speech recognition. It’s fast but not always correct, especially with accents, fast speech, or background noise.

• Auto-captions are easy but may have errors.
• Viewers can turn captions on or off as needed.

Want fast results? Learn about [Automated transcription](https://gotranscript.com/automated-transcription-services) or set up an [AI transcription subscription](https://gotranscript.com/ai-transcription-subscription).

2. Professional Transcription Services

Professional human transcribers provide the most accurate transcripts. They catch more details and handle poor audio better than machines.

• Professional services fix grammar, check for accuracy, and deliver clean text.
• You can export the transcript in many formats for easy uploading.
• Proofreading services ensure error-free transcripts.

Professional [Transcription proofreading services](https://gotranscript.com/transcription-proofreading-services) help you achieve the best results. Prices often range from $1–$4 per minute (GoTranscript offers rates under a dollar for many orders). Check out full [Transcription pricing](https://gotranscript.com/cheap-transcription-rates) for more information.

How to View and Download YouTube Transcripts

On Computer

• Go to the YouTube video.
• Click the three dots below the video, then select "Show transcript."
• The transcript panel appears next to the video, showing time stamps and text.
• You can select and copy the text to a document if you want to save it.

On Mobile Devices

• Open the YouTube app, play a video, and tap the three dots.
• Select "Captions" and choose your language.
• Captions appear at the bottom of the video while you watch.

Viewing Captions on Full Screen

• Click the gear icon (Settings) on the video.
• Turn on "CC/Subtitles."
• Select a language if available.
• Captions will then display, even in full-screen mode.

For full subtitle services, explore [Closed caption services](https://gotranscript.com/closed-captioning-services) and [Subtitling services](https://gotranscript.com/subtitling-services).

Always Enable Captions

• Click on your YouTube profile picture and go to "Settings."
• Select "Playback and Performance."
• Check "Always show captions."
• All videos now play with captions turned on by default.

Transcribing YouTube Videos Without Built-In Transcripts

If a video does not have transcripts, you still have options:

• Use Google Docs’ Voice Typing: Open Google Docs, select Voice Typing under Tools, and play the video for it to transcribe.
• This method is not perfect but works if nothing else is available.

For a fast, professional solution, use [Order transcription](https://gotranscript.com/upload/transcriptions).

Conclusion: Get the Most from Your YouTube Content

Accurate transcripts and captions make YouTube videos more accessible, increase audience reach, and boost search rankings. Whether you use them for learning, business growth, or accessibility, transcripts make every video better. If you want easy, low-cost, and high-quality transcripts or captions, GoTranscript offers everything you need—from automated to professional [Transcription services](https://gotranscript.com/transcription-services), [Closed captioning](https://gotranscript.com/closed-captioning-services), [Proofreading](https://gotranscript.com/transcription-proofreading-services), and even translation. Check our [Transcription pricing](https://gotranscript.com/cheap-transcription-rates) and [Captioning services pricing](https://gotranscript.com/cheap-captioning-rates) for more. Start improving your YouTube videos today with GoTranscript.