Closed captions are a common feature on platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, as well as streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. There are two types of captions, closed and open. Closed captions can be toggled on and off based on the preferences of the viewer. Try to think of subtitles as a subcategory of captions. Subtitles can be closed or open depending on the production of the video, but it's important to note that subtitles do not include auditory information like music descriptions or sound effects because their primary function is the translation of language. According to a 2019 study from Verizon Media and Publicis Media, 69% of people watch videos without sound in public places, and Facebook found that 85% of its users watch or begin watching videos with the sound off.Ĭaptions are sometimes referred to as subtitles, but subtitles are actually language-specific captions intended for viewers who do not understand and/or speak the language being spoken in the media.

you're trying not to disturb people around youĬaptioning is also a good idea if you want to improve your marketing efforts.They can provide a better experience for a viewer with a learning disability, an attention deficit, or a cognitive disability, or if someone is autistic.

No matter where a video is posted, whether it’s on a website or social media, it should be captioned so that Deaf and hard-of-hearing users can access and enjoy the content. And someone doesn't need to experience hearing loss to benefit from captions.

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