Are closed captions really worth it?

[Night_Terrors]

If your videos have a dedicated script, I would recommend it. It doesn't take but 3-5 minutes to save the script as a txt file and upload it.
Otherwise, I would take the time needed to type out subtitles and just use it to make more content.
Depends on your audience though. Do what they want.

Wow, it sounds like you never put subtitles a video. No way does it take only 3-5 minutes. I would be happy to get it done in less than one hour, for a seven minute video. It's more than "uploading a txt file". You have to time the captions so they match the dialogue as close as possible. Have you never done this?

 

[KiddieToysReview]

Wow, it sounds like you never put subtitles a video. No way does it take only 3-5 minutes. I would be happy to get it done in less than one hour, for a seven minute video. It's more than "uploading a txt file". You have to time the captions so they match the dialogue as close as possible. Have you never done this?

Our 10 minute videos take about an hour. This includes the usual Chrome hangups, windows issues, and internet freezes, and running a final check and adjusting slightly the positioning of captions. I type it in through the YT interface, as we don't have a set script.
I have been adding captions to our most viewed videos, including all recent uploads. I figured to start on the videos viewed most, and work backwards from there. But yes, an hour per 10 minute video minimum working solidly.

 

[wasabiroots]

Wow, it sounds like you never put subtitles a video. No way does it take only 3-5 minutes. I would be happy to get it done in less than one hour, for a seven minute video. It's more than "uploading a txt file". You have to time the captions so they match the dialogue as close as possible. Have you never done this?

It does take quite a while doesn't it? For me the best way to cut the time is to get youtube to auto-sync the dialogue especially if your videos are heavily scripted, it won't work if you don't have a script though.

Anyways, just cut and paste the whole writeup there and wait for it to sync. Then once its synced, just adjust where appropriate. I always get mine done in less than 15 minutes with this. ^^

Just thought this might be helpful. Good luck. X3

 

[Gaijillionaire]

I can't prove it, but it feels like if you have your cc put in, the words from the cc will help boost your search power. Besides, who doesn't have a script all typed out and ready roll as it is? Everyone besides me is ad libbing? Umm.. Uh. Random!

 

[Political Junkie News]

Wow, it sounds like you never put subtitles a video. No way does it take only 3-5 minutes. I would be happy to get it done in less than one hour, for a seven minute video. It's more than "uploading a txt file". You have to time the captions so they match the dialogue as close as possible. Have you never done this?

Snarky. My videos have a script. Just upload a txt file and it's done.

 

[subversiveasset]

It does take quite a while doesn't it? For me the best way to cut the time is to get youtube to auto-sync the dialogue especially if your videos are heavily scripted, it won't work if you don't have a script though.

Anyways, just cut and paste the whole writeup there and wait for it to sync. Then once its synced, just adjust where appropriate. I always get mine done in less than 15 minutes with this. ^^
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Just thought this might be helpful. Good luck. X3

I agree with this, and what @Political Junkie News has posted. If you already have a transcript and you followed that reasonably well, then the Auto-Sync option is actually pretty good.

I think that for people who don't already have a transcript/are more freeform in their discussions, then it's probably too much work to go through for most videos.

 

[Super Pawsitive]

As someone who has closed captioned most of his videos. I would say, that it does help. If only slightly.

(Last one wasn't captioned cause it wasn't scripted.)

Mostly because a lot of my viewers are foreign with English as their second language. Sometimes I'll get some pretty neat comments.

For me, this is more of a courtesy for my viewers. I might not always be clear when I do voice overs, so I amend this by going out of my way to subtitle/close caption my video. It isn't always used, or noticed. I love doing it for those who might need it.

Otherwise, I can't be sure if it helps my search.