Short-form growth · Updated
How captions keep viewers watching
Short answer
Captions let viewers follow a video with the sound off, clarify fast speech and make content more accessible. Keep them high contrast, short per line, timed to speech and clear of platform buttons. Emphasise only the key word, and proofread names and jargon before posting.
Why do captions help?
- Many people watch without sound
- They clarify accents and fast speech
- They help non-native speakers and deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers
- They give the eye something to follow
What makes them readable?
Strong contrast, a dark plate under the words, one short line at a time and no overlap with the bottom or right edge buttons. Explainer uses a dark pill with a gold key word, and Bold pops words in with a highlight.
How do you check accuracy?
Read every line on a stills pass before rendering. See how to proofread AI captions.
Frequently asked questions
Do captions increase views?
They can help viewers follow, but effects vary. Test.
Should captions be one word at a time?
Style varies. Readability comes first.
Where should captions sit?
Away from platform overlays, near the lower third.
Are burned-in captions accessible?
They help, but also provide a text transcript where possible.
What colour should captions be?
High contrast against the background.
Skills mentioned on this page
Explainer
Turns a talking clip into a clear lesson with gold word-by-word captions and points on screen.
Bold
A 10-second reel where giant words slam in behind you and captions pop word by word.
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