How To Add Subtitles to a Video on the Vimeo platform

André Bastié
André Bastié
Posted in Vimeo
5 min read
How to add subtitles to Vimeo

Learn how to make your Vimeo videos more accessible and user-friendly by adding captions.

Vimeo is a popular video-sharing platform that can be used for communication purposes. Once you create your video, you can pass it along to those you wish to view it. However, before you do that, you should consider adding subtitles to make the video more accessible and user-friendly.

Adding captions to a Vimeo video can make it easier to understand what is said throughout the recording. Viewers can better comprehend the content and watch the video how they prefer, which could be with the sound off. In addition, captions can help viewers find certain spots in the video more quickly than if there were none. Allowing viewers easier access to your content is always beneficial when you desire to share it with the broadest audience.

This article will explore the benefits of including subtitles for your Vimeo video. We'll also explore how to add subtitles to your video using the Vimeo software. In addition, we'll look at how to use a third-party software, such as Happy Scribe, to add captions. Read on to learn everything about including captions on Vimeo videos.

How to Add Subtitles
Make your Vimeo videos accessible with subtitles - learn how!

Benefits of including subtitles on a Vimeo video

Subtitles can be crucial to a video, depending on the person watching. When you develop a Vimeo video, including these captions shouldn't be forgotten to ensure that everyone who accesses it later gets the most out of it. The benefits of having subtitles for your videos include the following:

Increased Accessibility:

If your audience is hearing impaired or has a condition like autism or ADHD, including subtitles can improve their video experience. Following along with voice only can be a distraction, as these individuals may not be able to understand what's being said or have noise stimulation challenges. In addition, captions have been shown to improve attention and increase retention, ensuring your message gets across the way you intended.

Improved Reach and Completion Rate:

Many viewers prefer to watch muted videos, choosing to read captions instead of listening. This way, they can watch what they like wherever they are without disturbing anyone else. In addition, these types of viewers are more likely to finish watching the entire video if subtitles are present than if they are not.

Using Vimeo to add subtitles

There are two ways to add closed captioning to your video using Vimeo. To use the first method, you must be a paid subscriber. You'll have access to auto closed captioning and transcription tools that make the process straightforward. In addition to enabling the subtitles, you'll have the option to edit your transcripts and change the overall appearance of the captions.

If you don't have a paid account, the platform offers services where you can upload a transcript and manually add captions. To do this, follow these five simple steps:

  1. In the Vimeo video manager, open the video you want to add a subtitle to.

  2. Pick "Advanced" on the right side to access the settings.

  3. Select "Distribution" then "Subtitles."

  4. Click the + button. Then, select the language your captions should be in from the available options and select your file type.

  5. Click "Choose File" to upload your caption file. Once this step completes, you'll have to toggle it to activate the subtitles.

  6. If you have a paid account, you can alter your transcript within the Vimeo client transcript editor. All other free users will have the option to download, edit, and re-upload their transcripts. The client supports SRT, WebVTT, SAMI, DFXP/TTML, and SCC extensions.

Subtitles on Vimeo
Adding captions to your Vimeo videos: How to use Vimeo's tools and third-party software.

Using third-party software to add captions to a video created with Vimeo

An alternative to using Vimeo to add your subtitle is third-party software. You'll have the option to choose from several different programs. We'll explore how to add a subtitle file to your video using Happy Scribe as an example, as it is one of the most popular third-party options.

Happy Scribe offers an alternative to Vimeo that promises more accuracy. It also has support for many different languages, allowing you the freedom to create the perfect subtitle file. To use this program, follow each step:

  1. Upload your selected Vimeo file: The Happy Scribe uploader accepts files from anywhere. It will upload files from your hard drive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and YouTube. Your first 10 minutes of video are free, and the service places no limits on files.

  2. Select your video's language: Happy Scribe supports over 120 languages. This includes dialects and accents.

  3. Decide between human-generated and machine-generated: Happy Scribe offers automatic captioning services that promise 85% accuracy. The most significant benefit of this option is the lightning-fast speed at which you'll receive your file. If you don't mind waiting and need better accuracy, choose the human-generated option. This choice promises 99% accuracy and expert proofreading.

  4. Receive your file: Machine-generated subtitles will be ready in minutes. If you chose human-generated, it would be a waiting period of up to 24 hours.

  5. Export and save your file: Happy Scribe offers several options for exporting files, including SRT and VTT.

How will you add captions to your Vimeo video?

Now that we've explored the different methods of putting caption text in a Vimeo video, you can start updating yours. If you have a paid Vimeo account, everything is at your fingertips. In addition to having your videos already in the client, you'll have access to a text editor to ensure your transcripts are perfect before turning them into captioning.

However, if you're looking for more accuracy, you may want to consider other options. Happy Scribe provides users with two options: human-generated and machine-generated. With machine-generated text, you'll receive 85% accuracy and rapid results. However, if you can wait up to 24 hours, human-generated text promises 99% accuracy, ensuring your subtitle text is nearly perfect.

Once you choose the best option for your needs, you can create more accessible videos that reach a broader audience. You can ensure your intended message is received clearly with appropriate captions. So, how will you begin adding captioning to your videos?

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