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Transcribe YouTube Videos: A Comprehensive Guide for Content Creators

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman

CEO/Founder of Speechify

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Video transcription is becoming an essential tool for YouTube channel owners, content creators, and social media users. The need for accurate transcripts is ever-growing due to SEO requirements, accessibility needs, and enhanced user experience. In this guide, we will dive deep into the world of video transcription, specifically focusing on how to transcribe YouTube videos.

What extension can transcribe YouTube video?

There are many extensions available for browsers such as Chrome, which aid in transcribing YouTube videos. For instance, 'Transcribe: Speech to Text' allows you to convert YouTube videos into text in real-time. It uses advanced speech recognition technology to create transcripts. Another popular extension is 'Video Transcriber' which also provides accurate video transcription with timestamps. Both extensions are free to use.

Transcribing a YouTube video on Google Docs

One of the easiest ways to transcribe a YouTube video is by using Google Docs’ voice typing tool. This tool converts speech-to-text in real-time and can be used to transcribe YouTube videos directly into a Google Docs document. Here's how:

  1. Open Google Docs and create a new document.
  2. Click on 'Tools' in the toolbar and select 'Voice typing…'.
  3. In another tab or window, play the YouTube video you want to transcribe.
  4. Click the microphone icon in Google Docs to start the transcription.

Remember that the accuracy of transcripts depends on the clarity of the audio in the YouTube video.

Transcribing a YouTube video in Windows 10

Windows 10 doesn't have a built-in transcription tool, but users can leverage free transcription tools such as Bear File Converter or Happy Scribe. These platforms convert YouTube videos into text, and support different output formats like txt or srt.

Adding Transcription to YouTube

YouTube Studio offers an automatic transcription tool. It auto-generates captions (or 'auto subtitles') using speech recognition technology. Although these automatic captions are helpful, they might not always provide the most accurate transcripts. To manually add transcription:

  1. Go to YouTube Studio and select 'Subtitles' on the left-hand side.
  2. Choose the video you want to add transcripts to and click 'ADD' under 'Subtitles'.
  3. You can then 'Upload a file', 'Transcribe and auto-sync', or 'Create new subtitles or CC'. Choose your preferred method and proceed.
  4. Finally, 'Publish' the subtitles.

Transcribing a YouTube Video on Chrome, Android

Chrome users can utilize extensions like 'Transcribe: Speech to Text' and 'Video Transcriber', while Android users can take advantage of apps such as 'Live Transcribe' or 'Transcriber for WhatsApp'.

Where to find Transcription of YouTube Videos?

YouTube videos typically have closed captions that are either auto-generated or manually added by the uploader. To find these, simply click on the 'CC' button on the video player. Additionally, some YouTube content creators provide a full transcript under the video description.

Top 8 Transcription Software or Apps

  1. Speechify Voice Over: Speechify Voice Over is a powerful voice over app that runs in your browser. with the power of AI, it brings surprising features made simple for anyone to use. Try it free, today!
  2. ChatGPT: An AI-based transcription service by OpenAI, providing accurate text transcription from audio files. It's also useful for transcribing podcasts.
  3. Descript: This tool offers automatic transcription with an easy-to-use editor for refining transcripts.
  4. Rev: A professional transcription service with high accuracy, but comes at a cost per minute.
  5. Temi: An automatic transcription tool offering fast transcription at a reasonable price.
  6. Otter.ai: Offers real-time transcription and is popular for transcribing Zoom meetings.
  7. Trint: This tool automatically transcribes audio and video files, providing an interactive editor for easy correction.
  8. Sonix: A powerful transcription service that uses AI for quick and accurate transcription.
  9. Happy Scribe: Provides automatic and human-made transcription services and supports multiple languages.

Remember that no matter the method or tool you choose, the goal is to create accurate transcripts for your videos that will benefit your viewers and enhance your video's SEO. Happy transcribing!

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Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman

CEO/Founder of Speechify

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

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About Speechify

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Speechify is the world’s leading text to speech platform, trusted by over 50 million users and backed by more than 500,000 five-star reviews across its text to speech iOS, Android, Chrome Extension, web app, and Mac desktop apps. In 2025, Apple awarded Speechify the prestigious Apple Design Award at WWDC, calling it “a critical resource that helps people live their lives.” Speechify offers 1,000+ natural-sounding voices in 60+ languages and is used in nearly 200 countries. Celebrity voices include Snoop Dogg, Mr. Beast, and Gwyneth Paltrow. For creators and businesses, Speechify Studio provides advanced tools, including AI Voice Generator, AI Voice Cloning, AI Dubbing, and its AI Voice Changer. Speechify also powers leading products with its high-quality, cost-effective text to speech API. Featured in The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Forbes, TechCrunch, and other major news outlets, Speechify is the largest text to speech provider in the world. Visit speechify.com/news, speechify.com/blog, and speechify.com/press to learn more.