How can you use closed captions and subtitles to improve the SEO of a YouTube video?

1 What are closed captions and subtitles?

Closed captions and subtitles are text versions of the audio content of your videos. They are displayed on the screen, either as a separate file or embedded in the video. Closed captions are usually intended for deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers, and they include not only the dialogue, but also the sound effects, music, and other relevant audio cues. Subtitles are usually intended for viewers who speak a different language than the audio, and they only include the translation of the dialogue. Both closed captions and subtitles can be turned on or off by the viewer.

2 Why are they important for SEO?

Closed captions and subtitles are essential for SEO, as they make videos more accessible, engaging, and searchable. Benefits of using them include expanding reach and audience diversity, boosting watch time, comments, likes, and shares, as well as improving visibility, ranking, and traffic. Viewers who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speak a different language can access the videos more easily. Those who prefer to watch with the sound off or follow along with text can be more engaged. Additionally, more text content can be indexed and matched with relevant keywords and queries for both YouTube and Google.

4 How to optimize closed captions and subtitles?

Creating closed captions and subtitles is not enough for SEO optimization. To ensure that they match your video content and target keywords, use clear and concise language, avoiding spelling and grammar errors, slang, jargon, or filler words. Utilize punctuation, capitalization, and formatting to make your text easy to read and follow. Include your main keyword and related keywords in your text, especially at the beginning and end of the video. Incorporate variations and synonyms of your keywords but avoid keyword stuffing or repetition. Align your text with your audio, utilizing timestamps to synchronize them. Make sure that your text appears and disappears at the right moments and does not cover important parts of your video. Additionally, consider using different languages and dialects for your subtitles depending on your target audience and market; use accurate and natural translations rather than automated tools that can produce errors or misinterpretations.

5 How to upload closed captions and subtitles?

When you have created and optimized your closed captions and subtitles, you need to upload them to YouTube and enable them for your video. To do this, go to YouTube Studio and select the video you want to add the captions or subtitles to. Click on the Subtitles tab on the left menu, and then click on the Add Language button on the right side. Select the language of your closed captions or subtitles, and then click on the Add button. Choose the option to Upload file, and then select the file type (Subtitle or CC) and the file format (.srt, .vtt, or .sbv) of your text file. Browse and select the text file from your computer, and then click on the Save button. Review and edit your text if needed, and then click on the Publish button. You can repeat this process for each language you want to add. Additionally, you can edit or delete your closed captions or subtitles at any time by clicking on the Edit or Delete buttons next to each language. Utilizing closed captions and subtitles can not only improve SEO for your YouTube videos but also help you reach more viewers with content that is accessible, engaging, searchable, and more likely to perform well in terms of SEO.