Top 5 Reasons to Add Subtitles to Your Videos
Last updated: 5 August 2024
Are you looking to maximize the accessibility, engagement, and global reach of your video content?
One often underestimated yet highly effective method to achieve this is by incorporating subtitles. In the realm of digital media, even the smallest details can yield substantial improvements.
Let’s take a look at the top five reasons to start subtitling your videos right now:
1. That’s What Your Viewers Want
Have you ever noticed how many people watch videos on their phones without the sound? Research reveals that 69% of people watch videos with the sound off in public places, and 25% keep the sound off even at home to avoid disturbing others. It’s a trend driven by our busy lives and the need to be considerate of others. That’s why subtitles are no longer optional. They’re what viewers expect. They don’t want to miss out on content just because they can’t turn on the volume. Subtitles ensure your message gets across loud and clear—even when the volume’s on mute.
2. Make Your Content Accessible
According to the World Health Organization, around 5% of the world’s population, roughly 466 million people, have disabling hearing loss. By adding subtitles, you’re ensuring that they can enjoy your content without any barriers. It’s not just about reaching more viewers; it’s about doing the right thing and promoting inclusivity. Plus, accessibility often translates to loyalty—viewers appreciate and stick with services that consider their needs.
3. Let Your Message be Understood
Only about 20% of the world’s population speaks English. That leaves 80% of potential viewers who might miss out on your content if it’s only available in English. Multilingual subtitles can bridge this gap, allowing you to reach a broader, more diverse audience. For instance, Leqture wanted to globally stream the International Women’s Day 2024 celebration. To ensure that people from all over the world could understand the important messages of speakers, they partnered with Jet-Stream to add multilingual subtitles. The result? Over 30,000 people were able to enjoy the inspiring talks and discussions, regardless of their native language.
4. Enhance Comprehension and Retention
Did you know that subtitles can make a real difference in how well people understand and remember what they watch? It’s especially true for videos that are a bit complicated or move quickly. Many studies indicate that viewers who watch videos with subtitles show an improvement in message recall compared to those who don’t. Such a simple addition can help reinforce the spoken word, making it easier for viewers to follow along. This enhances comprehension of the content, especially in educational and instructional videos where understanding is crucial.
5. Improve SEO
Search engines can’t watch videos, but they can crawl text. By adding subtitles, you provide search engines with text to index, making your content more discoverable. In fact, videos with subtitles rank higher in search results, giving you a better chance of reaching more viewers.
So there you have it—five compelling reasons why adding subtitles to your videos isn’t just a good idea, it’s essential for connecting with today’s viewers.
We Can Help You!
At Jet-Stream, we believe videos should speak to everyone, everywhere. Our platform takes care of that, seamlessly translating and subtitling your videos into a multitude of languages in real time. And with our Privacy Player Pro, viewers can switch between subtitles without missing a beat, making the experience as smooth as possible.
Let us help you reach a wider audience and enhance your video’s impact with our comprehensive subtitling solutions!