Q&A for How to Add Subtitles to YouTube Videos

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Question

Can I use my phone to add subtitles or is this limited to the PC?

Community Answer

Currently, subtitling/closed captioning cannot be performed from the YouTube mobile app.

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Question

Why do subtitles I have submitted to the video not appear?

Community Answer

If you're adding to subtitles to other people's videos, they need to be approved by the community first.

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Question

Is it possible to force viewers to watch with subtitles on?

Community Answer

No, you have to add them manually using video editing software before uploading.

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Question

What do I get out of contributing subtitles to someone else's video?

Community Answer

Nothing, it’s just something implemented by YouTube for the community. An example is the video being in a language other than your native one; adding subtitles can help others in your region understand it.

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Question

How long does it take for the written subtitles to show up on my YouTube videos?

Community Answer

If you add them to your own content, then it is instant. If you are adding subtitles or captions to content that belongs to someone else, YouTube will wait for other community members to confirm the quality of your work. Nevertheless, you can outsource your captions via services like subtly.cc and they will take care of it all for you.

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Question

How do you add more "beautiful" subtitles? For example, applying font color, style, and some more effects?

Ruby

Top Answerer

People can do that themselves by editing how they view closed captions in their system settings. The point of closed captions is accessibility, not how they look. Sometimes having subtitles with fancy effects can make it harder for some people to read, such as dyslexic people. You can add open captions (i.e. captions that are directly on your video, which you can get by editing your video) to your videos with fancy effects, but if you do this, it is still recommend that you add closed captions. Think about the people who need to use captions, and what will be helpful to them.

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Question

Is it possible to add subtitles to someone else's video?

Ruby

Top Answerer

Unfortunately, as of 28th of September 2020, the community captions option, which allowed you to contribute captions to other people's videos, was removed. As a result there is no way to contribute captions to another user's video.

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Question

How can I add them automatically to my videos? (without typing or using separate audio file)

ICGIL

Top Answerer

In most cases, YouTube will automatically subtitle your video with automated captions regarding the language spoken. However, it may be inaccurate.

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Question

How long does it take for the written subtitles to show up on my YouTube videos?

ICGIL

Top Answerer

Once you publish your subtitles, these subtitles can automatically be used for your video. In some cases, your video will automatically come up with automated subtitles when it is published.

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