How Transcription Adds Value to Audio and Video Content
Transcription is the process of turning audio and video files into written text. You can choose automated transcription, hire skilled human transcriptionists, or use a mix of both. Each approach has unique advantages for getting your message across.
Top Benefits of Transcribing Audio and Video Content
Transcribing your content offers many benefits for both creators and audiences. This article explains the eight most important reasons to add transcripts to your audio and video files.
1. Increased Accessibility
- Transcription helps people with hearing impairments consume content easily.
- Closed captions provide synced text with the original audio, while full transcripts give a complete text version of your content.
There are more than 48 million Americans and over 360 million people worldwide with hearing loss (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 2021). By adding transcripts, you make your content accessible and grow your audience.
2. Improved Comprehension
- Transcripts and captions help people who are not fluent in the video’s spoken language.
- Reading along supports vocabulary building for language learners and children.
Studies show that watching captioned videos improves student literacy and language learning by allowing viewers to absorb new words and understand content better (Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 2019).
3. Legal Compliance
- Many U.S. laws require accessible content for people with hearing disabilities.
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and FCC rules demand captions for public videos.
About 60% of Americans with hearing loss work or study outside the home (National Deaf Center, 2020). Following accessibility laws like Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 keeps your content compliant and open to all.
4. Improved SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- Search engines cannot watch or listen to your media files.
- Adding transcripts lets search engines read and index your content, making it easier for people to find your videos or podcasts.
Videos with captions see a 13.5% increase in views during the first two weeks and a 7.3% lift in lifetime views (YouTube, 2020). Optimizing transcripts with important keywords can further boost your site’s search rankings.
5. Better User Experience (UX)
- Transcripts make it easier for viewers to find and jump to specific information.
- Many platforms allow users to click within the transcript and go straight to that part in the video or audio.
This saves time for your audience, allowing them to quickly locate information without manually skipping around in the content.
6. Easier Translation and Localization
- Getting a transcript is the first step to translating videos and creating subtitles in other languages.
- Over 80% of YouTube views come from outside the United States (YouTube, 2021).
Translating transcripts with text translation services or audio translation service helps you reach a global audience and boosts SEO in multiple countries.
7. Easier Creation of Derivative Content
- Transcripts make repurposing content quicker and simpler.
- You can copy quotes, craft blog posts, summarize studies, or make social media updates using transcript text.
Transcripts also help market researchers and brands create reports or reuse clips for different platforms.
8. Flexible and Quiet Viewing
- Many people watch videos without sound, whether they are in libraries, offices, or public places.
- On Facebook, nearly 85% of videos are played without sound (Digiday, 2016).
Transcripts ensure your information is accessible, even when viewers mute the audio.
How to Get Started with Transcription
- Professional transcription services offer both accuracy and quick turnaround times.
- AI transcription subscriptions allow for fast, automated text conversion for large volumes.
- Affordable transcription pricing options help any business or content creator.
- Quality-checked work with transcription proofreading services ensures polished, reliable output.
Conclusion: Choose GoTranscript for Your Transcription Needs
No matter your industry or audience, transcription helps you make content easier to access, search, and repurpose. From boosting SEO to expanding your reach worldwide, the benefits are clear and measurable.
If you want to order transcription or need order captions, GoTranscript delivers fast, affordable, and accurate solutions. Their team offers a full range of services, from closed captions and subtitles to translation—helping your message reach everyone, everywhere.