(Photo : Flixier)

When was the last time you watched a video without subtitles? Can't remember? That's okay. According to a survey by UK company Ofcom, 80% of viewers who use closed captioning are neither deaf nor hard of hearing. Even Facebook delivers around 85% of its videos on mute. So is it a trend, or does it have a real benefit? Subtitles hook viewers, helping them to absorb information more easily and better. Here's why you should add subtitles to your video.

When was the last time you watched a video without subtitles? Can't remember? That's okay. According to a survey by UK company Ofcom, 80% of viewers who use closed captioning are neither deaf nor hard of hearing. Even Facebook delivers around 85% of its videos on mute. So is it a trend, or does it have a real benefit?

Subtitles hook viewers, helping them to absorb information more easily and better. Here's why you should add subtitles to your video.

The Impact of Subtitles on Video Performance

We won't bore you with linking research papers and going in-depth into scientific studies here. Rather, we'll keep it simple and offer a concise summary.

  1. Better comprehension: Over 100 studies show that subtitles improve comprehension, attention, and memory of viewed content. They help break down information to make it digestible and memorable.
  2. Language learning: Remember those foreign language classes where the teacher would play a film with subtitles? That wasn't just to pass the time but was based on solid research. Studies suggest significant improvements in word identification and overall comprehension when watching content with subtitles.
  3. Cognitive processing boost: A study focusing on university education found that engaging with subtitled content enhanced learners' cognitive processing, impacting their comprehension scores and attention span.
  4. Improved literacy skills: Research in rural India presented an observation where 94% of children engaged actively with same-language subtitles when viewing animated stories.
  5. Universal appeal: Believe it or not, millennials love watching videos with closed captions, regardless if they are at work or commuting on public transportation. No need for headphones, no one gets disturbed, and the entertainment (or education) continues. This is so much so that 70% of Gen Z representatives use subtitles most of the time, according to a survey.
  6. Dialogue clarity: Audio compression or bad TV speaker placement can often distort dialogues, making them hard to understand. This is yet another scenario where subtitles come into play as saviors and keep viewers hooked on your content.
  7. Enhanced accessibility: Your videos must be accessible to everyone, including those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, because equal access matters, and it's also Federally mandated. Including captions makes sure any information given in your video can be easily understood by these individuals, boosting accessibility.
  8. Improves SEO rankings: Google loves videos, especially ones that are easy to index. When subtitles are added to videos, it becomes easier for search engines to find and rank them higher on result pages.
  9. Maintains viewer attention: With social media garnering shorter attention spans each year, subtitles provide a written narrative that keeps audiences engaged longer.

How to Add Subtitles to a Video Using Flixier

But now that we have established why you should use subtitles, let's answer the "how." With different online tools available to put subtitles on video, adding captions doesn't have to be hard. It can be as simple as using Flixier, an online video editing platform perfect for adding professional subtitles easily.

To add subtitles to video with Flixier, follow these five simple steps:

Step 1: Upload Your Video

  1. Go to the Flixier website.
  2. Click the Start Editing button to open the Flixier editor in your web browser.
  3. In the Import window, drag and drop your video file or click to select it from your computer. You can also import videos from cloud storage services, YouTube, or Twitch by clicking the appropriate icon in the Import menu.
  4. Once your video is uploaded to the Flixier library, drag it down to the timeline at the bottom of the screen.

Step 2: Generate or Add Subtitles

You have three options for adding subtitles:

●      Option A: Automatic Subtitle Generation

  1. Right-click on your video in the timeline.
  2. Select Generate Subtitles from the right side of the screen.
  3. Wait a few moments while Flixier processes your video and creates the subtitles.

●      Option B: Manual Subtitle Creation

  1. Click the Subtitles tab on the left side of the screen.
  2. Select Manual Subtitle.
  3. A subtitle track will appear on your timeline.
  4. Type your subtitles into the text boxes that appear.
  5. Drag the boxes on the timeline to sync your subtitles with the video.

●      Option C: Upload Existing Subtitle File

If you already have a subtitle file (SRT, VTT, etc.):

  1. Click the Subtitles tab on the left side of the screen.
  2. Select Upload Subtitle and add your subtitle file.
  3. Your uploaded subtitle will appear in the timeline.

Step 3: Edit and Customize Your Subtitles

  1. After generating or adding subtitles, you can edit the text using the left-side menu.
  2. To change how your subtitles look, use the Style tab on the right side of the menu.
  3. You can adjust the font, size, color, and position of your subtitles.

Step 4: Translate Your Subtitles (Optional)

  1. Flixier offers an automatic translation feature:
  2. Select your subtitle track on the timeline.
  3. Look for the Translate tab on the right-hand side of the menu.
  4. Choose the language you want to translate your subtitles into.
  5. Click to generate the translation.
  6. Review and edit the translated subtitles as needed.

Step 5: Export Your Video with Subtitles

  1. When you're happy with your subtitles, click the Export button at the top right of the screen.
  2. Choose whether you want to download your video or publish it online.
  3. Flixier will render your video with the subtitles in three minutes or less.

Bonus Tip: Saving Subtitle Files Separately

If you want to save just the subtitle file:

  1. Select the subtitle track on the timeline.
  2. Look for the Download Text or Subtitle option on the right side of the menu.
  3. Choose your preferred subtitle format (SRT, VTT, etc.) and save it to your computer.

Why Flixier's Subtitle Adder Stands out

It's not about getting a subtitle adder to a video but getting the right one. Here are a few reasons why Flixier stands out:

  1. Simple to use: Flixier's user-friendly interface makes it easy to add SRT to video or any other subtitle format. Just auto-generate or upload your subtitle file, and Flixier will do the rest.
  2. Accuracy: Flixier ensures high precision and accuracy when it comes to matching text with dialogues. This will significantly improve user experience by making sure everything lines up perfectly.
  3. Caption customization: Customize your captions' appearance to sync and complement your video's aesthetic appeal. You can easily change color, fonts, or background to your liking.
  4. Multiple language support: Flixier supports over 130 languages. Just upload your subtitles in any language, and you can easily translate them right on the platform.
  5. Download subtitles in different formats: With Flixier, you can download subtitles in a variety of formats. Options include SRT, TXT, SUB, VTT, and plenty more.
  6. Integrated sharing: Finished making adjustments? Flixier lets you share your subtitled content directly with popular platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or even Dropbox without having to download and manually upload it again.
  7. Collaboration feature: Need a helping hand? Flixier has a real-time collaboration option for teams. You can collaborate with your team members to perfect those subtitles, get suggestions, or even have someone else take over if needed, all in real-time and on the same software platform.

Caption This!

Adding subtitles adds value. They take your video content to another level of accessibility, comprehension, and overall viewer engagement. If you've not crossed the border, it's about time you use Flixier as your subtitle video online tool and give your videos a hefty engagement boost.