How Subtitles and On-Screen Text Affect Engagement

Videos are one of the most popular ways to share content today. Whether it’s for marketing, education, or entertainment, people love watching videos.

However, many people watch videos without sound because they are in public places, at work, or just prefer silent viewing. This is why subtitles and on-screen text are so important. They help people understand the video even when they cannot hear the audio.

Subtitles do more than just display words on the screen. They help people stay engaged with the video, improve accessibility, and even boost SEO rankings on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Many businesses and content creators now use subtitles and on-screen text to reach a wider audience and keep viewers watching longer.

With the help of AI tools, adding subtitles is now easier than ever. Video editing software like CapCut Desktop allows users to automatically generate captions in just a few clicks.

In this article, we will explain to you how subtitles affect engagement and how you can add auto captions in CapCut Desktop for your marketing videos.

So, let’s get in!

Why do Subtitles and On-Screen Text Improve Engagement?

1. People Watch Videos Longer

When a video has subtitles, people are more likely to watch it until the end. If a viewer does not understand a part of the video, they might stop watching. However, subtitles help explain the content so viewers stay engaged.

Studies show that videos with captions have higher watch times and completion rates compared to videos without them.

2. Helps Viewers Understand the Message Better

Sometimes, background noise or poor audio quality makes it hard to hear a video properly. Subtitles reinforce the message and help viewers understand important points. This is especially useful for people who speak different languages, as captions can make it easier to follow along.

3. Makes Videos Accessible to More People

Subtitles are essential for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. By adding captions, businesses and content creators can make their videos more inclusive and reach a larger audience. This is not only a good practice but also improves a brand’s reputation.

4. Increases Social Media Engagement

On platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, many people scroll through their feeds with their phones on mute. If a video does not have subtitles, viewers might skip it because they do not know what it is about. But when captions appear on the screen, people are more likely to stop and watch.

5. Improves SEO and Discoverability

Search engines like Google and platforms like YouTube use captions to understand what a video is about. When you add subtitles, your video is more likely to appear in search results, helping more people find your content. This is a great way to increase views and reach new audiences.

Other AI Tools for Increasing Your Video Engagement

1. AI Video Generators

AI-powered tools are making it easier than ever to create engaging videos with subtitles and on-screen text. An AI video generator allows businesses to generate high-quality videos quickly, often including automated subtitles and text overlays.

These tools help streamline the editing process, ensuring that videos are clear, accessible, and engaging without the need for manual work.

2. AI Text to Voice

Additionally, AI text to speech tools allow creators to generate natural-sounding voiceovers from text. By combining AI-generated voiceovers with subtitles and text overlays, marketers can make videos that are more accessible, engaging, and effective in capturing the audience’s attention.

This is especially helpful for viewers who watch videos on mute, ensuring they still receive key information through on-screen text while maintaining a seamless storytelling experience.

How to Add Auto Captions in CapCut Desktop Video Editor?

Adding subtitles manually can take a lot of time, but the CapCut desktop video editor makes it easy with its Auto Captions feature. This tool uses AI to generate subtitles in just a few clicks. Here’s how you can use it to add subtitles to your marketing videos:

Step 1: Import Your Video

First, open CapCut Desktop on your computer. Click on “Create Project” to start a new video editing session. Then, click on “Import” and select the video file you want to edit. Once the file is imported, drag it onto the timeline at the bottom of the screen. This is where you will edit your video.

Step 2: Add Auto Captions

Once your video is in place, click on the “Text” tab in the toolbar at the top. You will see an option called “Auto Captions”—click on it. A menu will appear, asking you to choose a language. Select the language spoken in your video and then click “Create”.

CapCut will now use AI to analyze the audio and automatically generate subtitles for you. This process takes a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the length of your video. Once it’s done, subtitles will appear as text overlays in your timeline. Then you can use a voice changer for your videos.

Step 3: Export Your Video

After adding and editing your subtitles, it’s time to export the final video. Click on the “Export” button at the top right corner of the screen.

You will see options to select the resolution, format, and file size. Choose the best settings for your platform—higher resolutions work best for YouTube, while smaller file sizes are good for social media.

Once you are satisfied, click “Export” and save the video to your computer.

Conclusion

Adding subtitles and on-screen text is one of the best ways to improve engagement in marketing videos. Subtitles help viewers understand content, increase watch time, improve accessibility, and boost SEO rankings. Many people watch videos without sound, so adding captions makes sure they can still follow the message.

With CapCut Desktop, adding subtitles is easy. The Auto Captions feature helps generate captions quickly, allowing businesses and content creators to edit videos efficiently. AI tools are making video editing faster and more accessible, but it’s important to review and customize subtitles to maintain accuracy and quality.

If you’re creating marketing videos, start using subtitles today! They can make a huge difference in how people engage with your content.