Videos have become one of the most popular forms of content on the internet. With the rise of social media and video-sharing platforms, like YouTube and TikTok, video has become an essential tool for businesses and creators to communicate with their audience. However, not all viewers can fully enjoy these videos. Some may be hard of hearing, while others may speak a different language. To ensure that everyone can enjoy videos to their fullest, subtitles and closed captions have become increasingly important. In this blog, we will explore the benefits of incorporating subtitles and closed captions in videos.

Accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing

Subtitles and closed captions are crucial for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. According to the World Health Organization, around 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, and this number is expected to increase to over 900 million by 2050. By providing subtitles and closed captions, these individuals can access the audio content of the video, making it more inclusive and accessible.

Improved Comprehension for non-native speakers

Subtitles and closed captions can also benefit non-native speakers who may struggle to understand the spoken language. For instance, if a video is in English, a non-native speaker may have trouble understanding the pronunciation of certain words or phrases. Subtitles and closed captions can help these individuals to follow along with the video, making it easier for them to comprehend the content.

Better Retention and Recall

Adding subtitles and closed captions to a video can also improve retention and recall of information. Research has shown that adding subtitles to a video can help individuals to remember more of what they watched. This is because reading the text while listening to the audio can help reinforce the information in the viewer’s memory. In fact, a study by PLY Media found that videos with subtitles had a 40% increase in views and a 17% increase in engagement compared to those without subtitles.

Improved SEO

Incorporating subtitles and closed captions can also improve search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines like Google and YouTube rely on text-based information to index and rank videos. By adding subtitles and closed captions, you are providing more text-based information that can help search engines understand the content of the video. This can help increase the visibility of the video in search results, making it easier for people to find and watch.

Increased Engagement and Viewership

Adding subtitles and closed captions can also increase engagement and viewership. This is because subtitles and closed captions make the video more accessible to a wider audience, which can lead to more views and engagement. Research has shown that videos with subtitles have a higher completion rate compared to those without subtitles. This is because subtitles help viewers to stay engaged with the video, even if they are in a noisy environment or multitasking.

Compliance with Accessibility Laws

In some countries, including the United States, accessibility laws require that videos must have subtitles and closed captions to ensure they are accessible to all individuals. Failure to comply with these laws can result in legal action against the creator or business. By incorporating subtitles and closed captions into videos, creators, and businesses can ensure they are complying with accessibility laws and avoiding potential legal issues.

In conclusion, incorporating subtitles and closed captions in videos can benefit both creators and viewers. It makes videos more accessible, improves comprehension and retention, increases engagement and viewership, and helps ensure compliance with accessibility laws. So, if you’re a creator or business looking to improve your video content, consider adding subtitles and closed captions to your videos. Not only will it benefit your audience, but it can also improve your overall success on the platform.