YouTube Shorts is an incredible platform to share short, impactful videos with the world. Captions are a powerful addition to Shorts, enhancing accessibility and ensuring viewers understand your content even without sound. Whether you’re adding captions to improve comprehension or appeal to a broader audience, the process is straightforward. This article will guide you on how to add captions to YouTube Short, explain their importance, and provide tips for customization. We’ll also cover how to remove all the text on YouTube Shorts if needed.

Why Add Captions to YouTube Shorts?

Captions aren’t just a feature; they are a necessity in today’s fast-paced digital world. Here are the main reasons to include them:

1. Accessibility: Captions make your Shorts accessible to viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
2. Silent Viewing: Many users watch videos without sound. Captions ensure they can still follow your content.
3. Global Reach: Captions help break language barriers when translated into other languages.
4. Engagement Boost: Adding captions can make your Shorts more engaging, increasing watch time and shares.

How to Add Captions to YouTube Short

Step 1: Prepare Your Video

Before adding captions, ensure your YouTube Short is ready for upload. Keep it under 60 seconds and vertically formatted to meet YouTube’s specifications.

Step 2: Use YouTube’s Auto-Captioning Feature

YouTube provides an automatic captioning tool that uses speech recognition to generate captions for your videos. Here’s how to enable it:

1. Upload Your Short:
   • Open YouTube Studio and click on the “Create” button.
   • Upload your Short and ensure it complies with YouTube’s content guidelines.
2. Enable Captions:
   • Navigate to the “Subtitles” tab in YouTube Studio.
   • YouTube will automatically generate captions if your video includes clear speech.
3. Edit Captions:
   • Review the auto-generated captions for accuracy.
   • Edit any errors by clicking on the text and making corrections.

Step 3: Add Captions Manually

If auto-captioning doesn’t work or you prefer full control, you can manually upload captions:

1. Create a Caption File: Use tools like Notepad or a captioning service to create a text file in the SubRip Subtitle (SRT) format.
2. Upload the File:
   • Go to the “Subtitles” tab in YouTube Studio.
   • Click “Upload File” and select “With Timing” if your captions are already synced.
3. Save and Publish: Ensure your captions align with the video content, then save your changes and publish the video.

How to Customize Captions

You can enhance the look and feel of your captions to match your brand or style.

• Font and Size: Use third-party editing tools to customize captions before uploading them.
• Positioning: Ensure captions do not obstruct important visuals in your Shorts.
• Language: Add captions in multiple languages to expand your audience.

How to Remove All the Text on YouTube Shorts

Sometimes, you may need to remove captions or any on-screen text from your YouTube Shorts. Here’s how:

1. Disable Auto-Captions:
   • Open YouTube Studio and go to the “Subtitles” tab.
   • Select your Short and click on the caption track you want to remove.
   • Click the trash icon to delete the captions permanently.
2. Remove On-Screen Text:
   • Use video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut, or iMovie to remove text overlays before uploading the video.
3. Check the Final Version: Always preview your Short to ensure no unwanted text remains.

Best Practices for Adding Captions to YouTube Shorts

1. Be Accurate: Ensure captions reflect the spoken content precisely.
2. Keep It Short: Since Shorts are brief, avoid long captions that clutter the screen.
3. Use Contrasting Colors: Make sure captions are easy to read against your video background.
4. Test Your Captions: Play your Short to ensure captions are properly synced and error-free.

Tools to Add and Customize Captions

If you prefer external tools for captioning, here are some popular options:

1. Rev: Professional captioning services with quick turnaround times.
2. Kapwing: An online video editor with easy-to-use captioning features.
3. VEED.io: A web-based platform that lets you add and edit captions effortlessly.
4. Otter.ai: For automatic transcription and captioning.

Benefits of Removing Unwanted Text from Shorts

If your Shorts have unnecessary text, it might distract viewers or obscure important visuals. By removing this text, you can create cleaner, more professional content.

Conclusion

Adding captions to your YouTube Shorts is a simple yet impactful way to make your content more engaging and accessible. Whether you use YouTube’s built-in tools or third-party software, captions can elevate the viewer experience. On the flip side, knowing how to remove all the text on YouTube Shorts allows you to maintain a polished and distraction-free presentation.

Mastering these skills will not only enhance the quality of your Shorts but also expand your audience reach, giving you a competitive edge in the ever-growing world of short-form video content.