Subtitles for Videos

Video subtitles compared to captions explained…

This question comes up often.  People are not always sure of the differences of subtitles compared to captions.  Let’s dive in.

Subtitles, are predominantly used as a way of translating a medium into another language, allowing those that speak another language to consume the content. For instance, English audiences would be unable to follow the plot of a French or Spanish movie, unless subtitles were used.  Subtitles are best-suited for pre-recorded videos, such as movies and TV shows.

Captions, (also called closed captions) are native-language to the medium rather then a translation to another language.  They are more commonly used as a service to help deaf and hard of hearing audiences. They are also more adaptable to live broadcasts, such as news programming, sporting events and television shows broadcast live.

cielo24 searchable captions™, are next-generation closed captions.  With searchable captions™, the captions are synced to the video frame and time-stamped by the word.  By time-stamping your captions a database is created.   This database is then used for search and SEO purposes.  The result is literally a “searchable caption™“, further expanding your business reach.

Use Both.

Now that we know the differences between subtitles compared to captions, you can make the best choice for your media.  But the truly savvy video guru utilizes both subtitles and searchable captions™ for their media.  By using both you will broaden your business reach and expand your audience.

Subtitles for Videos

There are many benefits to subtitling videos beyond meeting FCC requirements.

  • Meet FCC closed caption mandates.
  • Ensure everyone can view your video.
  • Improve Video SEO.
  • Increase retention and comprehension.

Subtitles for Videos Resources

Start Now

Contact Us to Start Your Free Trial