Transcribing Instagram Stories and Videos: A Step-by-Step Approach

How to Transcribe Instagram Story and Video: A Step-by-Step Guide

Instagram Stories and videos are now key ways people share and connect online. With over 2 billion active users (Statista, 2023), Instagram relies on both visuals and audio to tell stories. But without transcriptions, some users miss out—especially those with hearing impairments or in places where audio can’t be played aloud.

This guide explains exactly how to transcribe Instagram Stories and videos, making your content more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.

Why Transcribe Instagram Audio?

Transcribing Instagram audio unlocks many benefits:

• It makes content accessible to those with hearing loss.
• Viewers can engage with your Stories and videos even if their sound is muted.
• Adding captions or subtitles can increase engagement—captions boost video views by up to 40% (Facebook, 2019).
• Transcripts provide text for search engines, helping your brand’s visibility.

Step 1: Download the Instagram Story or Video

You must first save the Instagram Story or video you want to transcribe.

• Instagram does not offer a direct download feature for Stories or videos.
• Use trusted third-party apps or websites to download Instagram content.
• Always get permission to use and transcribe content from other creators to respect copyright.

Step 2: Extract the Audio from the Video

After downloading your video, extract the audio file for transcription.

• Use free tools (such as Audio Extractor or VLC Media Player) to separate audio from video.
• Save audio files in formats like MP3 or WAV for the best compatibility.

Step 3: Choose Your Transcription Method

You have two main choices for transforming audio into text:

• Manual Transcription:
  • Listen to the audio and type what’s said word-for-word.
  • Best for accuracy, but takes more time, especially for longer videos.
• Automatic Transcription:
  • Use AI-powered tools to transcribe quickly.
  • Great for speed, but background noise or unclear speech can affect accuracy (ASR error rates are still 12-14% in real-world cases, NIST, 2022).
• Automated transcription services use advanced AI to speed up this process.

Step 4: Use Transcription Services or Apps

If you want a fast or highly accurate transcript, try online transcription services or apps.

• Upload your audio file to the platform of your choice.
• Depending on the service, you might wait a few minutes for automatic results, or a few hours for human-reviewed transcripts.
• Read user reviews to ensure reliable results.
• Check out transcription pricing for budget options.
• Want instant results? Try an AI transcription subscription.

Step 5: Edit and Review the Transcript

Review your transcript carefully before using it.

• Automatic transcriptions may have mistakes, especially with multiple speakers or accents.
• Go through the text and correct misheard words or missed phrases.
• You can also use transcription proofreading services to ensure accuracy.

Step 6: Add Captions or Subtitles to Your Instagram Video or Story

Once you have a clean, complete transcript, you can add this text to your Instagram video.

• For Stories, use the “Text” sticker:
  • Open your Instagram Story in the app.
  • Tap the sticker icon (smile face square).
  • Select the "Text" sticker and paste your transcript into the text box.
  • Style the text to match your brand or story theme.
  • Move the text overlay so it doesn’t block important visuals.
  • Share your Story to reach viewers with and without sound.
• For videos, consider using closed caption services or subtitling services to burn captions or subtitles directly into the video.

Extra Tips for Instagram Audio Transcription

• If your video uses multiple languages, translation services or an audio translation service can help broaden your reach.
• If you regularly share content, an AI transcription subscription may be cost-effective.
• Always preview your Story or video with captions before publishing.
• Captioned content is proven to increase both accessibility and engagement (Ofcom, 2020).

Conclusion: Make Instagram Content Accessible for All

Transcribing audio from Instagram Stories and videos helps you connect to all audiences. Whether you choose manual or automatic transcription, your content becomes easier to understand and more engaging.

For hassle-free, accurate, and quick results, GoTranscript offers a wide range of solutions. From affordable transcription services to captioning pricing, proofreading, and subtitling services, you can order transcriptions or order captions with ease. Make your Instagram content more inclusive and reach the widest possible audience today.