While many things have stayed the same, content and the consumption habits of content have changed drastically in the last few years and will continue to change for the foreseeable future. One thing that sets great content creators apart is the ability to adapt. If you haven’t already, one change you should make as a content creator would be to begin using subtitles. Sites like Voquent understand the importance of a professional subtitle translator, so be sure to explore what is needed for even greater content. If you are unsure why you should be using subtitles, this article will examine some of the top reasons why your content needs subtitles today.
A Quieter Option
Did you know that in 2022, many people don’t watch videos with the sound on? This might sound a bit out there initially, but consider how busy modern lifestyles are. A lot of video content is watched on the go; for example, if someone were on the train scrolling through Facebook or YouTube, they would not want everyone to hear what they are watching if they don’t have headphones or earphones. Subtitles will still allow users to view and understand your content on the move.
Increases Engagement of Users
Another reason you should begin using subtitles with your videos today is that it helps to increase the engagement your videos get from users. How? Because adding subtitles increases the visual impact it has and the probability that a person will continue to watch it for longer. This, in turn, positively influences bounce rate and session time.
Some People Depend on It
One of the most important reasons you should begin using subtitles for your content is simply because many people depend on subtitles. Did you know that around 1.5 billion people worldwide live with hearing loss, and of those 1.5 billion, 430 million suffer from disabling hearing loss? In other words, a large portion of your audience won’t be able to watch your content without subtitles. Accessibility for everyone is the key to growth.
Increase Global Growth
One of the most compelling reasons to use subtitles in your content is to increase the global growth of your audience. Simply put, when you release content in one language, only others that speak that language can enjoy your work. Subtitles allow your content to be consumed globally, increasing audience size, the number of views you receive, and profits in a promotional context. It is essential to use the services of a professional subtitle translator when aiming to release your audio-visual work in new languages. Local audiences won’t forgive bad translation.
Increase Retention of Messages
Finally, the last reason you should use subtitles for your content is that everyone learns differently, and not everyone can retain information simply by listening to it. For example, a recent study shows that only 17% of young adults prefer listening to information, whereas about 35% prefer reading it and 46% enjoy watching it. Without subtitles, you only appeal to less than half of that specific focus group, which is a good representation of most young people.
