How to Add Subtitles to Reels: A Complete Guide for 2023

By Cepy 8/23/2023 Post a Comment

Hi everyone, welcome to another article on how to make the most of your Instagram content. In this article, we will show you how to add subtitles to reels, the short-form video format that Instagram launched in 2020. Subtitles are a great way to make your reels more accessible, engaging, and SEO-friendly. They can help you reach a wider audience, boost your views, and improve your retention rate.

But how do you add subtitles to reels? Is there an easy way to do it without spending too much time or money? What are the best tools and tips for adding subtitles to reels? We will answer all these questions and more in this comprehensive guide. So, let's get started!

Why You Should Add Subtitles to Reels

Before we dive into the how-to part, let's first understand why you should add subtitles to reels in the first place. Here are some of the benefits of adding subtitles to your reels:

Accessibility

Adding subtitles to reels makes them more accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as people who speak different languages or have different accents. According to the World Health Organization, there are about 466 million people in the world with disabling hearing loss, and this number is expected to rise to over 900 million by 2050. By adding subtitles to your reels, you can make sure that your content is inclusive and respectful of their needs.

Engagement

Adding subtitles to reels also makes them more engaging and captivating for your viewers. According to a study by Facebook, captioned video ads increased video view time by an average of 12%. Another study by Verizon Media and Publicis Media found that 80% of consumers are more likely to watch an entire video when captions are available. This is because subtitles help viewers follow along with the audio, understand the context, and retain the information better.

SEO

Adding subtitles to reels can also help you improve your SEO (search engine optimization) and rank higher on Google and other search engines. This is because subtitles provide text-based content that can be crawled and indexed by search engines, unlike audio or video content that can only be analyzed by metadata. By adding relevant keywords and phrases to your subtitles, you can increase your chances of appearing in search results for those terms.

How to Add Subtitles to Reels Using Instagram's Built-in Feature

The easiest way to add subtitles to reels is to use Instagram's built-in feature that automatically generates captions for your videos. This feature was introduced in May 2021 and is currently available in English and 16 other languages. To use this feature, follow these steps:

Step 1: Record or Choose Your Reel Video

Open the Instagram app on your phone and swipe right to open the camera. Tap the Reels icon at the bottom of the screen and record a new video or choose an existing one from your gallery.

Step 2: Tap the Preview Button to Edit Your Reel

Once you have recorded or selected your video, tap the preview button at the bottom right corner of the screen. This will take you to the editing screen where you can trim, crop, filter, add music, stickers, text, and other effects to your reel.

Step 3: Tap the Stickers Icon and Pick the Captions Sticker

On the editing screen, tap the stickers icon at the top of the screen. This will open a menu of different stickers that you can add to your reel. Scroll down and look for the captions sticker that has a speech bubble icon with CC on it. Tap on it and wait for Instagram to generate subtitles for your video.

Step 4: Edit Your Caption by Changing the Text Style, Color, and Size

After Instagram has generated subtitles for your video, you can edit them by tapping on them. You can change the text style by tapping on the A icon at the top left corner of the screen. You can change the text color by tapping on the color wheel icon at the bottom left corner of the screen. You can change the text size by pinching in or out on the screen.

Step 5: Once Done, Hit the Import Icon to Save Your Video and Share It

When you are happy with your subtitles, hit the import icon at the bottom right corner of the screen. This will save your video to your camera roll and take you to the sharing screen. Here, you can add a caption, hashtags, location, and other details to your reel. You can also choose to share it to your feed, story, or profile. Finally, tap the share button to publish your reel with subtitles.

How to Add Subtitles to Reels Using Online Tools

If you want more control and customization over your subtitles, you can use online tools that allow you to add subtitles to reels manually or automatically. These tools are usually free or have a low-cost subscription plan. They also offer more features and options than Instagram's built-in feature. Here are some of the best online tools that you can use to add subtitles to reels:

Veed.io

Veed.io is a simple and powerful online video editor that lets you add subtitles to reels in minutes. You can upload your video from your device, Dropbox, Google Drive, or a URL. You can then choose to auto-generate subtitles using Veed's AI technology or manually type them in. You can also edit the subtitles by changing the font, color, size, position, and timing. You can also translate the subtitles into different languages. Once done, you can download your video or share it directly to Instagram.

Kapwing

Kapwing is another popular online video editor that allows you to add subtitles to reels easily. You can upload your video from your device or paste a link from YouTube or other sources. You can then choose to auto-generate subtitles using Kapwing's AI technology or manually type them in. You can also edit the subtitles by changing the font, color, size, position, and timing. You can also translate the subtitles into different languages. Once done, you can download your video or share it directly to Instagram.

ClipScribe

ClipScribe is a dedicated online tool for adding subtitles to reels and other social media videos. You can upload your video from your device or paste a link from YouTube or other sources. You can then choose to auto-generate subtitles using ClipScribe's AI technology or manually type them in. You can also edit the subtitles by changing the font, color, size, position, and timing. You can also translate the subtitles into different languages. Once done, you can download your video or share it directly to Instagram.

How to Add Subtitles to Reels Using Third-Party Apps

If you prefer to use your phone instead of your computer to add subtitles to reels, you can use third-party apps that offer similar features and functions as online tools. These apps are usually free or have a low-cost subscription plan. They also offer more features and options than Instagram's built-in feature. Here are some of the best third-party apps that you can use to add subtitles to reels:

MixCaptions

MixCaptions is a user-friendly app that lets you add subtitles to reels on your iPhone or iPad. You can import your video from your device or record a new one using the app's camera. You can then choose to auto-generate subtitles using MixCaptions' AI technology or manually type them in. You can also edit the subtitles by changing the font, color, size, position, and timing. You can also translate the subtitles into different languages. Once done, you can export your video or share it directly to Instagram.

AutoCap

AutoCap is a powerful app that allows you to add subtitles to reels on your Android phone or tablet. You can import your video from your device or record a new one using the app's camera. You can then choose to auto-generate subtitles using AutoCap's AI technology or manually type them in. You can also edit the subtitles by changing the font, color, size, position, and timing. You can also translate the subtitles into different languages. Once done, you can export your video or share it directly to Instagram.

Clips

Clips is a fun and creative app that enables you to add subtitles to reels on your iPhone or iPad. You can import your video from your device or record a new one using the app's camera. You can then choose to auto-generate subtitles using Clips' AI technology or manually type them in. You can also edit the subtitles by changing the font, color, size, position, and timing. You can also add filters, stickers, emojis, music, and other effects to your video. Once done, you can export your video or share it directly to Instagram.

How to Add Subtitles Breakdown Table for Reels

To help you compare and choose the best method for adding subtitles to reels, we have created a breakdown table that summarizes the main features andcosts of each method. Here is the table:| Method | Features | Cost || --- | --- | --- || Instagram's built-in feature | - Automatic subtitles in 17 languages
- Basic editing options
- Easy to use and fast | Free || Online tools (Veed.io, Kapwing, ClipScribe) | - Automatic or manual subtitles in multiple languages
- Advanced editing options
- Translation and transcription features
- Direct sharing to Instagram | Free or low-cost subscription plans || Third-party apps (MixCaptions, AutoCap, Clips) | - Automatic or manual subtitles in multiple languages
- Advanced editing options
- Translation and transcription features
- Filters, stickers, music, and other effects | Free or low-cost subscription plans |As you can see, each method has its own pros and cons, so you can choose the one that suits your needs and preferences best.

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