How to Get Online Transcriptions

What Is Transcription?

Transcription means turning spoken words from audio or video recordings into written text. Many industries use transcription to create clear records of what people say during meetings, interviews, lectures, or videos.

The need for accurate transcription has grown as more businesses and individuals rely on digital content. According to a report from Grand View Research, the global transcription market size was valued at $19.8 billion in 2022, with continued growth driven by demand in healthcare, legal, and media sectors (2023).

Which Industries Use Transcription Services?

Transcription is valuable in many fields. Here are some of the industries that commonly use transcription services:

• Law firms – for legal documents, trial transcripts, depositions
• Healthcare providers – for patient notes, medical reports
• Academic institutions – for lecture notes, research interviews
• Market research firms – for focus groups, survey recordings
• Podcasters and video creators – for show transcripts
• Public speakers and event organizers – for speeches or presentations
• Writers and authors – for dictation and interviews
• Businesses and entrepreneurs – for meetings, conferences, webinars

Key Benefits of Online Transcription

Many people are turning to online transcription for several reasons. Here’s how your business or project can benefit:

• High accuracy and reliability: Professional transcription services often guarantee up to 99% accuracy and deliver work on time.
• Lower costs: Outsourcing transcription services reduces expenses and overhead. This approach is typically more cost-effective than hiring an internal team.
• Simple access to information: Having text makes it easy to read, search, reference, or share. Listeners need headphones and a quiet space for audio or video files, but reading text is easier for everyone.
• Inclusivity and accessibility: Adding closed captions and subtitles lets you reach people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speak other languages.
• 24/7 availability: Online transcription providers offer support day and night, helping clients in all time zones.

Top Ways to Get Online Transcriptions

If you need to transcribe audio or video, you have several choices:

1. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Transcription

• Best for small, simple projects and people with extra time
• You listen to the recording and type out the text yourself

This option has no cost except your time. However, research shows that it takes about four to six hours to transcribe one hour of audio for most people (Source: Transcription Certification Institute, 2021). You must also proofread the final text to remove errors.

2. Use Automated Transcription Tools

• Software or apps convert speech to text automatically
• Examples include online services and voice recognition apps

Automated tools are fast and affordable. However, their accuracy may drop when audio quality is poor, speakers have accents, or many people talk at once. Studies have found AI transcription is about 80–90% accurate for clear audio (Stanford University, 2020). Expect to proofread and edit the text to reach a higher standard.

You can try an AI transcription subscription for a quick, budget-friendly approach, but it’s best to double-check the results for mistakes.

3. Outsource to Professional Transcription Services

• Send your files to a specialist company.
• Receive an accurate, fully proofread transcript, often within hours.
• Professional editors check for errors before returning the final document.

This is the best option for complex projects, confidential material, or tight deadlines. Leading transcription companies offer human expertise, 24/7 customer service, and often transcription proofreading services for the highest quality.

You only need to upload your files, and professionals handle the rest.

Transcription Services for Accessibility and Global Reach

Transcription isn’t limited to one language. Many services support text translation and audio translation to help organizations connect with people worldwide. Adding captions and subtitles to videos builds accessibility and promotes inclusion by making content usable for more people.

This practice supports legal requirements for digital accessibility and helps your brand reach international audiences.

Which Transcription Option Should You Choose?

The best method depends on your project’s size, budget, and desired accuracy:

• DIY transcription fits small jobs with minimal funding and low urgency.
• AI-powered transcription works when you need speed, affordability, and are willing to edit output.
• Professional services are ideal when accuracy, confidentiality, or fast turnaround is crucial.

If you value convenience, accuracy, and peace of mind, outsourcing is your top choice. Many professionals and companies now opt for professional transcription services to focus on their core work.

How GoTranscript Helps With Online Transcription

GoTranscript provides fast, accurate, and affordable transcription for businesses and individuals worldwide. With over 20,000 expert transcribers, translators, captioners, and editors, GoTranscript guarantees:

• Up to 99% accuracy for most audio and video content
• Express turnaround to meet urgent timelines
• 24/7 customer support across all time zones
• Simple, transparent pricing for any budget
• Closed captioning and subtitling services for accessibility
• Comprehensive proofreading and editing
• Worldwide translation and audio translation options

No matter your transcription needs, GoTranscript’s online solutions make it easy to order transcription or order captions with a few clicks. Let GoTranscript handle the details so you can focus on what matters most.