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  • Captions or Subtitles: What’s the Difference?

    You’ve probably used them without a second thought—watching a movie in another language, scrolling social media with the sound off, or trying to follow dialogue in a noisy room. But have you ever noticed that sometimes the text includes sound effects and speaker names, while other times it’s just the spoken words?

    It’s easy to assume captions and subtitles are the same, but they serve different purposes. If you’ve ever struggled to keep up with fast dialogue or wished for more context in a quiet scene, you’ve already experienced the difference—maybe without even realizing it.

    So, what really sets them apart, and why does it matter? Let’s break it down.

    What Are Captions?

    Captions do more than just show dialogue—they make videos accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. They include spoken words and crucial audio cues such as background noises, tone changes, and speaker identifications.

    Additionally, captions help content creators comply with important accessibility guidelines like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 508.

    Types of Captions

    Closed Captions (CC) give viewers control to switch captions on or off and even adjust their appearance. Think YouTube, Netflix, or Zoom.

    Open Captions stay visible all the time. They’re perfect for social media videos, events, or public places where you can’t rely on viewers to activate captions themselves.

    What Are Subtitles?

    Subtitles primarily translate spoken words into another language for viewers who can hear but might not understand what’s being said. Unlike captions, subtitles typically skip audio cues and speaker names. They’re great for international movies or videos aimed at a global audience.

    Subtitles vs. Captions: Key Differences

    FeaturesCaptionsSubtitles
    PurposeAccessibility for Deaf/ Hard-of-hearingLanguage Translation
    Includes Sound Effects?YesNo
    Speaker Identification?YesNo
    Non-verbal Audio Cues?YesNo
    Assumes Viewer Can Hear?NoYes

    Why Are Captions Important for Web Accessibility?

    Captions create truly inclusive content accessible to everyone. Beyond meeting legal requirements, captions help businesses avoid compliance risks and potential lawsuits.

    But captions have benefits beyond compliance—they boost SEO by enabling search engines to index your video content effectively. They enhance viewer engagement, especially in quiet or noisy environments, and help non-native speakers follow along more easily, improving comprehension and retention.

    Open vs. Closed Captions: Which Should You Use?

    Choosing between open and closed captions depends on your content and audience.

    Open Captions are excellent for social media, live events, and public displays, where activating captions isn’t practical. They ensure every viewer can immediately access your message without additional steps.

    Closed Captions are ideal for platforms like YouTube or Netflix, where viewers prefer customizing their caption viewing experience. They’re also essential for educational videos, multilingual content, or professional presentations, where accuracy and personalization enhance viewer experience.

    How to Add Captions to Your Digital Content

    Adding captions can be straightforward, whether you choose manual or automated methods.

    Manual captioning involves creating captions yourself or with professional tools like Adobe Premiere Pro or YouTube Studio. This ensures accuracy and is highly recommended for educational and professional content.

    Automatic captioning services like YouTube auto-captions or platforms such as Rev.com provide quick results but may vary in accuracy. Always review and correct auto-generated captions to maintain quality and compliance.

    Understanding caption file formats is also beneficial. Popular formats include SRT (.srt), widely compatible across platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, and VTT (.vtt), ideal for web-based videos with additional formatting options.

    How to Add Captions

    • Create or auto-generate captions.
    • Review and edit carefully for accuracy.
    • Export the appropriate caption file.
    • Upload the caption file to your video platform

    Best Practices for Creating Accessible Captions

    • Prioritize Accuracy: Always proofread and edit captions.
    • Ensure Readability: Choose clear fonts and ensure strong contrast.
    • Be Concise and Clear: Keep captions brief but sufficient to communicate context.
    • Clearly Identify Speakers: Use identifiers like [John]: to clarify speakers.
    • Strategically Place Captions: Position captions without blocking essential visuals, typically at the bottom of the screen.

    Captions & Subtitles: Enhancing Your Content

    Captions and subtitles aren’t merely text overlays—they enhance viewer experiences, improve accessibility, and expand your content’s reach. By captioning thoughtfully, you’re making your videos richer and more inclusive.

    Looking to improve accessibility on your website? At 216digital, we’re ready to help. Reach out via our contact form below and schedule an ADA briefing. Let’s explore how we can elevate your digital presence and engagement together.

    Greg McNeil

    March 10, 2025
    WCAG Compliance
    Accessibility, captions, Closed caption, subtitles, videos and audio content, WCAG, WCAG Compliance, Web Accessibility
  • Closed Captions for Online Video Content

    With online video content becoming a cornerstone of business, marketing, and education, ensuring your videos are accessible to everyone is essential. One of the most effective ways to ensure your videos reach the widest audience possible is through closed captioning. But what exactly are closed captions? How do they work, and what actions must you take as a business or website owner? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about closed captions.

    What Are Closed Captions?

    Closed captions are text alternatives for words spoken in video or information conveyed through visual actions, designed to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing understand the content. Captions appear at the bottom of the frame and include the spoken dialogue and describe sound effects, music, or other audio cues critical to understanding the video. Closed captions can be toggled on and off by the video player, giving them control over how they experience the content.

    Who Benefits From Closed Captions?

    You might think closed captions are just for people with hearing impairments, but they benefit a much broader audience. Closed captions can help:

    • Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals: This is the primary group that closed captions serve, allowing them to access video content on an equal footing with hearing viewers.
    • Non-native language speakers: Captions help people learning English or other languages follow along with the dialogue.
    • People in noisy environments: Imagine watching a video in a busy coffee shop or on public transportation—captions make it possible to follow along even if you can’t hear the audio.
    • People in quiet environments: Maybe you’re watching a video while a baby sleeps in the next room. With captions, you can follow the content without turning up the volume.

    Closed Captions vs. Subtitles: What’s the Difference?

    Though often used interchangeably, closed captions and subtitles aren’t quite the same. Subtitles are a text representation of the spoken words in a video. They benefit individuals with hearing impairments or people who can’t understand the spoken language but can otherwise visually perceive the content. For instance, subtitles often appear in foreign films. They don’t include sound effects or non-dialogue audio, which makes them less accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

    On the other hand, closed captions include not just the dialogue but also sound effects and other crucial audio information, making them more comprehensive.

    What are the Differences Between “Closed Captions” and “Open Captions”?

    You’ve likely heard about “closed captions” and “open captions.” The critical difference between the two is control. Closed captions can be toggled on or off by the viewer, while open captions are always on—they’re embedded into the video file and cannot be turned off. While open captions may seem convenient, they don’t provide viewers the choice to disable them, which can sometimes detract from the viewing experience for those who don’t need them.

    What Are the Legal Obligations for Closed Captioning?

    As a website owner, business owner, or content creator, you must understand your legal obligations regarding closed captions. In the U.S., several laws and regulations address digital accessibility, including captioning for video content.

    The ADA’s Requirements for Closed Captions

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that businesses and organizations make their services accessible to people with disabilities. While the ADA doesn’t specifically mention closed captions, it requires that public-facing businesses and websites provide equal access to their services, which can include providing captions for video content.

    The Department of Justice has provided guidance that websites should be accessible to everyone, and providing captions for videos is an integral part of ensuring your content meets the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which help businesses comply with the ADA.

    FCC Requirements for Closed Captions

    For online video content that has aired on TV in the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires closed captions. This regulation was expanded in 2012 with the introduction of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), which requires that any video programming aired on television with captions must include captions when distributed online.

    This act means that if your business uses TV ads or commercials and also posts them online, they must be captioned. Even if your content hasn’t aired on TV, following FCC rules for captioning is a good best practice.

    What Are the Benefits of Using Closed Captioning?

    Adding closed captions to your videos isn’t just about legal compliance—it can offer significant benefits to your business:

    • Expanded audience: Captioning your videos makes them accessible to more people, including those with hearing impairments, non-native speakers, and people in noisy or quiet environments.
    • Improved SEO: Search engines can’t watch videos but can read captions. By adding captions, you give search engines more context to the relevance of your content, which can improve your rankings in search results.
    • Better engagement: Captions can help viewers stay engaged with your content. Studies have shown that videos with captions have higher engagement compared to those without.
    • Increased social media reach: Many social media platforms autoplay videos without sound. Captions can ensure your message gets across, even if the audio isn’t playing.

    Best Practices for Closed Captioning

    Here are some best practices for closed captioning video content:

    • Ensure the captions are accurate: Inaccurate captions can confuse viewers or misrepresent your content. Invest in high-quality captioning services or use tools that offer high accuracy.
    • Include non-dialogue audio: Remember that closed captions provide a complete audio experience for viewers who can’t hear. Include descriptions of music, sound effects, and other audio cues that are important to understanding the content.
    • Use appropriate timing: Ensure that captions appear on-screen at the same time as dialogue or actions.
    • Keep the text readable: Ensure the text is easy to read by using a legible font, high contrast between the text and background, and large enough size to be legible.

    How to Add Captions to Videos

    There are several ways to add captions to your videos, depending on the platform and your budget:

    1. Automated captioning tools: Platforms like YouTube and Facebook offer automatic captioning, though these tools often require manual review to ensure accuracy.
    2. Manual captioning: You can create captions manually if you have the resources. Many video editing tools allow you to add captions by entering the text.
    3. Professional captioning services: You should invest in a professional service specializing in closed captioning for high-quality, accurate captions. These services usually charge based on the length of the video.

    What If My Video Service Doesn’t Support Closed Captions?

    If your platform doesn’t support closed captions, consider switching to one that does. Most popular video hosting services, including YouTube, Vimeo, and Wistia, provide captioning options. If switching platforms isn’t feasible, you can include a transcript of the video as an alternative. However, this is not a perfect substitute for closed captions, as transcripts don’t provide the real-time viewing experience that captions do.

    Conclusion

    Closed captions are a great way to make online video content accessible to everyone, and they offer many benefits, from legal compliance to better engagement and SEO. As a business or website owner, adding captions to your videos can broaden your audience, improve your content’s reach, and ensure you’re providing a digital experience that’s inclusive to everyone.

    Remember to follow the ADA, FCC, and WCAG guidelines, and always aim for accuracy and readability when adding captions to your videos. If you’re unsure if your video content is leaving you vulnerable to expensive litigation or causing you to miss out on revenue, reach out to 216digital for a courtesy evaluation.

    Bobby

    September 24, 2024
    How-to Guides, Legal Compliance, The Benefits of Web Accessibility
    ADA Compliance, Closed caption, digital accessibility, How-to, WCAG, Web Accessibility, web development
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