Wordly Named One of the Fastest-Growing Software Companies in the U.S — Learn More
Creating subtitles for your videos might seem straightforward, but done right they make your content more accessible, engaging and even boost SEO. Done wrong, they can distract, confuse, or worse, alienate your audience.
If you’re investing time and resources into creating video content, it’s worth making sure your subtitles are pulling their weight. Whether you're a marketer, content creator, or nonprofit sharing a story with the world, avoiding a few common missteps can make a big difference in how your message is received.
Here are five tips for creating video subtitles.
You’ve probably watched a video where the subtitles lag behind or rush ahead of the audio. It’s frustrating. Subtitles that are out of sync can make your content harder to follow and, in some cases, completely useless for viewers relying on them.
One of the biggest timing-related mistakes is leaving subtitles on screen for too short a time. Viewers can’t read at lightning speed, especially if the subtitles are dense. On the other hand, keeping them up too long can cause confusion when the text doesn’t match the audio anymore.
Pro Tip: Stick to one to two lines per subtitle frame. Break sentences into smaller chunks that follow the speaker’s pace. Keep the language concise and conversational. Many AI subtitle generator workflows include line-length controls that prevent overcrowding on small screens.
You’ve got a lot to say. We get it. But squeezing entire paragraphs onto the screen at once doesn’t help anyone.
One common mistake is trying to cram too much into a single video subtitle. It overwhelms the viewer and breaks the natural rhythm of reading. Most people are watching videos on their phones, during a quick break, or while multitasking, so subtitles need to be easy to scan and digest.
Pro Tip: Use a clean, sans-serif font in white or light colors with a black outline or semi-transparent background. Test on mobile and ensure nothing is blocked by player controls. If your background is busy, add a subtle shadow or box. Many translation software pipelines let you standardize these style presets so every video ships with consistent subtitles.
Video subtitles and captions aren’t just for people who speak different languages. They’re also essential for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. But not all subtitles are created with accessibility in mind.
A major mistake? Failing to include speaker identifiers. If your video has multiple speakers, it’s important to identify them, especially if the visuals don’t make it clear who’s talking.
Auto-generated subtitles have come a long way thanks to advances in AI. They’re fast, convenient, and a great starting point. But they’re not perfect, and assuming they are is one of the most common traps content creators fall into.
Misspelled names, misunderstood jargon, or just plain wrong transcriptions can easily slip through the cracks. If you’ve ever seen “Santa cause” instead of “Santa Claus” or “bare” instead of “bear,” you know what we’re talking about. These errors can make your content seem careless and lower its perceived quality.
Pro Tip: Always review and edit your video subtitles—especially if you’re using automated tools. Select an AI tool that has broad customer adoption and positive customer feedback. Also make sure the tool includes a customizable glossary to help ensure names and industry jargon is translated correctly.
Subtitles aren’t just about what they say—they’re also about how they look. Design choices like font size, placement, color, and background contrast can make or break readability.
A common mistake is placing subtitles too close to the bottom edge of the screen, where they might be covered by YouTube’s player controls, social media elements, or even closed caption logos. Or using fancy fonts that look great on paper but are impossible to read quickly.
Pro Tip: Use a clean, sans-serif font in white or light colors with a black outline or semi-transparent background to improve legibility. Test how they appear across different devices, especially mobile, and ensure they’re not getting cut off or hidden by other on-screen elements. If your video has a busy background, a subtle shadow or box can help your subtitles stand out.
If you're posting videos online, SEO might not be the first thing that comes to mind when adding video subtitles—but it should be. Search engines can't watch your video, but they can read text. That means your subtitles, transcripts, and caption files are full of keywords and context that can help your content show up in search results.
Neglecting this part means you’re missing out on discoverability and visibility, especially for long-form content or educational material.
Pro Tip: Whenever possible, provide a full transcript along with your video, or upload your subtitle files (like .srt or .vtt) so they can be indexed by platforms like YouTube and Google. You don’t have to keyword-stuff—just make sure your content is accurate and natural.
Be sure to check out our post on How AI Subtitles Enhance SEO for Video Content.
What is a translation app?
A translation app is a software tool that converts spoken or written content from one language into another. Apps like Wordly are designed for real-time communication, instantly translating conversations into multiple languages so participants can listen or read along in the language they prefer.
How does a translation app work?
Translation apps use artificial intelligence to process spoken words or text, recognize the source language, and deliver an accurate translation in real time. With Wordly, attendees simply join through a browser or the mobile app and choose their preferred language. The app provides both audio and caption output to make conversations seamless and inclusive.
Are translation apps accurate?
Modern translation apps powered by AI deliver highly accurate results for live conversations, events, and meetings. Wordly enhances accuracy further with the option to add a custom glossary, which ensures industry-specific terminology, product names, and unique vocabulary are translated consistently.
What’s the difference between a translation app and a dictionary app?
A dictionary app provides word-for-word definitions and translations, which can be helpful for quick lookups but is limited in context. A translation app, on the other hand, processes entire phrases and conversations in real time, capturing meaning and context to ensure smoother and more natural communication.
Creating great video subtitles isn’t rocket science, but it does take some effort. From syncing your text properly to making your content more accessible, these small details can significantly improve your viewer experience.
To recap:
Whether you’re creating short-form clips of global conferences, educational courses, or any other video content, high-quality subtitles can take your content to the next level. They make your message clearer, more inclusive, and easier to engage with, especially in a world where videos are often watched on mute.
If you’re using AI tools to subtitle your videos, make sure they’re delivering the accuracy your audience expects. Check reviews and test the tool with your content before fully relying on it. And remember, even the most advanced subtitling solutions benefit from a quick review to ensure everything is syncing properly and context is preserved.
