AI subtitles for video SEO

They add machine-readable text to videos, enabling better indexing and keyword coverage via transcripts and subtitle files, which improves topical relevance and discoverability. They also lift engagement metrics like watch time and completion—key ranking signals for platforms and search engines.

Yes—well-timed, readable captions reduce drop-offs by helping viewers follow content in noisy, silent, or multilingual contexts. Expect incremental gains in average view duration and completion when subtitles are accurate, synchronized, and styled for mobile readability.

Captions include non-speech elements (music, [laughter], [applause]) and speaker IDs for accessibility, whereas subtitles typically assume audible audio and focus on dialogue. For SEO, both provide indexable text, but full captions can improve accessibility scores and compliance for broader audience reach.

SRT: Widely supported and lightweight—ideal for YouTube, OTT CMSs, and quick distribution.
VTT: Supports styling, positioning, and metadata—useful for web players and custom UX.
Strategy: Publish SRT for baseline compatibility and add VTT on the website where formatting and speaker labels enhance readability and engagement.

Translated subtitle tracks unlock search demand in additional languages and regions by aligning the on-screen text with localized queries. This increases international impressions, non-English watch time, and session growth when paired with localized titles, descriptions, and chapters.

“Subtitle transcript schema” refers to exposing transcript content alongside structured data for videos to help search engines understand context. While there’s no specific schema type only for subtitles, use VideoObject with fields like name, description, duration, thumbnailUrl, uploadDate, and embedUrl, and include transcript text on the page for indexing.

Accuracy target (e.g., ≥ 99% for premium content), with punctuation and casing
Synchronization with spoken audio and on-screen events
Speaker identification and non-speech cues
Readability: line length, reading speed, contrast, and safe positioning
Consistency: terminology, brand terms, and numerals
QC evidence for audits and procurement

They can be, provided a human-in-the-loop QA process corrects brand names, domain jargon, and edge cases like accents and crosstalk. Publish a documented accuracy threshold by content type (marketing, training, compliance) and route high-risk content through stricter review.

High contrast with subtle shadow or background for legibility
2 lines max, 32–42 characters per line, and stable positioning
Consistent font family, size, and brand colors that remain accessible
Avoid covering faces or key UI; reposition for vertical vs horizontal formats

Watch time, average view duration, and completion rate
Search impressions and keyword coverage tied to transcript entities
CTR from suggested/browse features and search
Geography/language splits for multilingual tracks
Accessibility compliance status and reduction of support tickets

Including a cleaned transcript on the page and uploading sidecar files to the player improves keyword relevance, entity extraction, and long-tail query matching. Pair this with descriptive headings, chapters, and internal links to related resources to strengthen topical authority.

Publish a human-edited transcript below the video with scannable H2/H3 headings
Upload SRT to platforms (YouTube, Vimeo) and VTT for your web player
Add keyword-rich chapters to the video and mirror them in the page’s TOC
Implement VideoObject structured data and ensure a unique, descriptive title and description

Select a control and test set of high-traffic videos across regions
Add accurate subtitles and transcripts to the test set; localize a subset
Measure 28–56 days pre/post for watch time, impressions, CTR, and regional growth
Document statistical significance, then scale to back catalog and new releases

Yes—since many viewers watch muted, readable captions preserve comprehension in the crucial first seconds, increasing hook retention and completion. Keep lines short, contrast strong, and placement clear of UI overlays, especially on vertical formats.

They form the base layer for translation, glossary enforcement, and style consistency across languages. Use terminology lists and brand style guides in the subtitle editor, then apply translation memories and QA checks per target market.

Yes—standards and enforcement vary, but WCAG-based policies are increasingly referenced in public procurement and enterprise RFPs. Align to WCAG 2.1/2.2 A/AA, document QA, and be prepared to share accuracy and synchronization evidence with auditors and clients.

Aim for 15–20 characters per second (CPS), 32–42 characters per line, and no more than two lines, adjusting for mobile viewing and fast dialogue. Break lines at natural phrase boundaries to improve readability and reduce re-reads.

Burn-in: Useful for social promos and ads to ensure visibility across players.
Sidecar (SRT/VTT): Essential for SEO, accessibility, and multi-language flexibility.
Most teams use both: burn-in for social cuts and sidecar files for platforms and websites.

Subtitles lift engagement and discoverability while lowering support costs and compliance risk, and translated tracks open new organic markets without re-shoots. A modest increase in watch time and international sessions often justifies the cost of AI + human QA at scale.