This article teaches you how to turn on auto-captions for TikTok videos and photos for free, in two methods:
- Using the TikTok app
- Using SendShort, a powerful TikTok editor
Both methods are 100% free.
What are Captions on TikTok?
Captions on TikTok have two meanings: description and subtitles.
A video’s “caption” is also known as the description, while “captions” refer to the autop-subtitles feature.
TikTok introduced the auto-captions feature back in April 2021, and it works for any video on the platform in +25 languages.
How to Add Captions to a TikTok
SendShort is an AI software that automatically detects audio and adds subtitles to your TikToks. Yes, it works in any language!
Here’s how it works:
- Create a free SendShort account
- Upload your TikTok
- AI automatically adds captions
- Edit, delete, or add new captions to the video
- Download & Post on TikTok
This app adds subtitles on the video itself, and they cannot be turned off — unlike on TikTok, where you can turn off captions.
At SendShort, we’ve got so many caption styles which you can use. Feel free to replicate the style of your favourite TikToker!
Pro Tip: Have a look at our list of the best TikTokers.
How to use Auto-Captions on TikTok
Answer: The easiest way to turn on captions on TikTok is to long-press a video and select “Captions” to choose your preferred language.
Let’s see how to enable them, and then we’ll also show you how to turn off these auto-generated captions.
Turn on Captions
- Open the TikTok app
- Find a video
- Long-press the screen
- Tap “Captions“
- Toggle on “Show captions (auto-generated)“
- Optional: Translate the video
This works for any video individually.
If you opt for translating the video, TikTok can automatically translate it in over 25 languages.
Turn off Captions
- Open the TikTok app
- Find a video and long-press it
- Tap “Captions“
- Switch off “Show captions (auto-generated)“
This will disable captions for all TikToks you’re going to watch.
Pretty easy, right?
Importance of Captions on TikTok
The main reason to add captions to a TikTok is to increase accessibility.
Overall, captions are an essential tool for maximizing engagement, accessibility, and visibility on TikTok, enhancing the overall viewer experience.
1. Makes your video more accessible
Captions make content accessible to viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, ensuring that everyone can engage with your videos. This inclusivity broadens your audience and fosters a sense of community.
2. Retention of sound-off viewers
Many users watch TikTok videos without sound, particularly in public or noisy settings. Captions allow these viewers to understand and enjoy your content without needing to turn on the audio.
3. Improves engagement
Captions can help keep viewers focused on your content, encouraging them to watch all the way through. This increased retention can lead to higher engagement rates, such as likes and shares.
4. Reaches multi-language viewers
Captions can assist non-native speakers in understanding the dialogue better. By reading along while watching, viewers can improve their language skills and comprehension.
5. Captions have a role in TikTok SEO
TikTok may index captions for search purposes, making your videos more discoverable. Well-written captions that include relevant keywords can help your content appear in searches related to your niche.
Find out how to improve your TikTok SEO game.
Best Practices for TikTok Captions
1. Keep text short
Use concise language to quickly capture attention. Short captions are easier to read and can be more impactful, encouraging viewers to engage with your content.
2. Add hashtags
Incorporate relevant keywords and hashtags to improve discoverability. This helps your videos reach a wider audience and appear in searches related to your niche.
3. Use emojis
Emojis can make your captions more visually engaging and fun. They can help convey emotions and break up text, making your captions more eye-catching.
Learn how to add emoji subtitles to a TikTok.
4. Add a CTA
Encourage viewers to interact by including a call to action, such as asking them to like, share, or comment. CTAs prompt engagement and can help increase visibility.
5. Content relevancy
Ensure your caption matches the tone and message of your video. Consistency between the caption and the content enhances viewer understanding and engagement.
6. Try different timings
Pay attention to the timing of your captions, especially if they include important points or dialogue. Make sure they appear on screen long enough for viewers to read comfortably.
7. Proofread
Double-check your captions for spelling and grammar errors. Clear, error-free captions reflect professionalism and help maintain viewer trust.
THE Best Subtitle Software for TikTok
For adding subtitles to TikTok videos, SendShort is the best software, offering easy, high-quality captioning to enhance engagement and accessibility.
Here’s why SendShort stands out for TikTok subtitles:
- Automatic Captioning: SendShort’s AI auto-generates accurate captions, saving time and ensuring viewers can follow along even without sound.
- Customizable Text Styles: With a variety of fonts, colors, and animations, you can tailor captions to match your video’s style and capture attention.
- Perfect for TikTok’s Format: SendShort optimizes subtitles specifically for TikTok’s vertical format, ensuring captions are clear and visually appealing on mobile screens.
Using SendShort, you can add professional-quality subtitles that make your TikTok content more accessible and engaging, keeping viewers watching and boosting interaction.
Keep learning about this in our list of the best TikTok caption apps.
FAQ: Troubleshooting Captions on TikTok
1. Does TikTok automatically add captions?
Yes, TikTok has an automatic captioning feature that transcribes speech in videos. This feature needs to be enabled by the creator.
Alternatively, creators may use SendShort.ai to add captions.
2. Why can’t I see captions on TikTok?
You can’t see TikTok captions because the creator didn’t add them, or you haven’t enabled them. To enable, long-press the video and click “Captions” and switch them on.
3. Why is TikTok showing captions?
TikTok shows captions to improve accessibility and help viewers understand the content better, especially in noisy environments or for those with hearing impairments.
They’ve worked with organizations like The Deaf Collective to make systems detecting speech and putting it into captions.
Thanks a lot for reading this,
David Ch
Head of the Editing Team at SendShort
