Did you know that the vast majority of people watch videos without sound? 85% of videos on Facebook and 40% on Instagram are viewed without sound. This trend has led to the rise of captions, which have become essential to any video content on social media platforms.

So, why should you use captions in your videos? One important consideration is that your audience will likely be busy and need more time to listen to your video. They could be in a quiet place, such as a doctor’s waiting room, or at a loud party. 

In such situations, Captions become a critical means of communication. They enable your audience to read and comprehend your message while playing the video silently.

Furthermore, in this article, we’ll walk you through how to add subtitles to Instagram reels and Facebook reels. 

How to add subtitles to Instagram and Facebook Reels

You might be thinking, “There is no time or resources to add captions to your videos.” The good news is that two simple and efficient ways exist to make Instagram reels with subtitles.

Option 1: Use built-in Facebook and Instagram Reels features. 

Previously, users had to add captions to their videos using third-party apps or editing tools before posting them to either platform. 

However, currently, users can add captions directly on the platform, making the process much more convenient.

So, here’s how to add captions to Facebook reels: 

  • Step 1: Open the Facebook app and navigate to the Reels section on your mobile device. 
  • Step 2: Tap the “+” icon to create a new Reel or select an existing one to edit. You can also record a new video by tapping and holding the record button.
  • Step 3: Find the “Text” option and tap it to begin the editing process. This will open a text box on your video where you can type in the caption you want to add.
  • Step 4: You can now customise the appearance of the caption by selecting different fonts, sizes, colours, and positioning options from the editing toolbar. You can also change the background colour to make your caption stand out.
  • Step 5: Once you’ve written your caption and customised its appearance, you can adjust its timing and duration by dragging it along the timeline. This determines when the caption appears and how long it remains on the screen.
  • Step 6: Once you’re satisfied with the caption, preview your Reel to see how it looks with the captions. 
  • Step 7: After previewing, tap the “Next” button to continue. 
  • Step 8: Here, you can add a caption or location to your Reel, choose a cover image, and decide who can see it.
  • Step 9: Finally, publish your Reel by tapping the “Share” button. 

Reels on Instagram 

So, here’s how to add captions to Instagram reels

Step 1: Make your reel

The first step on how to add auto-captions on Instagram reels includes: 

  • Open the Instagram app and tap the ‘+’ icon in the bottom left corner. 
  • Select the ‘Reels’ option at the bottom of the screen. 
  • You can then choose a previously recorded video from your camera roll or click ‘camera’ at the top of your screen to begin recording your video. (Hold down the record button to record a new video on Instagram.)

Step 2: Select the ‘Captions’ option.

After you’ve recorded or uploaded your reel, click the ‘Next’ button. At the top of the screen, you will see a few options. To add subtitles to your reel, select Sticker.

Step 3: Make use of Instagram’s auto-captioning feature.

At the top of the screen, click the ‘Captions’ button. Instagram will generate subtitles for your video automatically after you click captions. You can edit the text, change the font, and change the appearance of the subtitles.

Step 4: Once satisfied with the subtitles, click Done and share your Reel.

Option 2: Use a third-party app to create captions for your Instagram and Facebook reels.  

If you’re ready to elevate your reels with the help of a third-party app like Mix Captions, here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to add captions to Instagram video.

  • Step 1 – Get Mix Captions and install it: The first step is to get Mix Captions from the app store and install it on your device. The app is available for iOS and Android users, so there are no limitations.
  • Step 2 – Select Your Video: After downloading the app, launch it and navigate to the video you want to caption. You can select videos from your device’s library.
  • Step 3 – Trim Video: Select the video length you want to edit.
  • Step 4 – Choose a Captioning Style: Select ‘adjust’ to change your video layout style. 
  • Step 5 – Choose language: Select the language you want it to translate to.
  • Step 6 – Add Your Captions: You can either manually type them in or use the app’s voice-to-text feature to have it transcribe your words for you.
  • Step 7 – Edit and Personalize Your Captions: You can change the font, size, and colour of the text, as well as the timing and placement of the captions on the screen.
  • Step 8 – Save and Share Your Video: Once you’re happy with your captions, save your video and share it on Instagram or Facebook. 

How to Add Subtitles to Instagram Stories.

Adding subtitles to Instagram Stories is easy with just a few steps. Here’s how to add captions to Instagram Stories:

  • Open the Instagram app and start a new story by tapping the plus sign next to your profile picture.
  • Make or upload a video.
  • Tap the stickers icon, which is a square smiley face. From the list of available stickers, choose the “captions” option. Instagram will transcribe the speech in your video for you. If necessary, you can edit the transcript by tapping on it.
  • Change the colour of the captions using the colour picker at the top, or select a different font from the options at the bottom. Tap twice on any incorrectly transcribed words to edit them.
  • When you’re happy with your captions, tap the arrow icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to share your story.

How to add lyrics to IG reels

How do you directly add song lyrics to your Reels on Instagram? It’s pretty simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to add lyrics to Instagram reels.

  • Step 1: Launch the Instagram app on your device and tap the ‘+’ icon at the bottom of your screen. 
  • Step 2: Once in camera mode, tap ‘REELS’ at the bottom of the screen. This will launch the reel camera.
  • Step 3: Record your video and press next, then tap on the music icon at the top of the screen. This allows you to select a song with lyrics.
  • Step 4: The lyrics to the song will now appear on the screen. You can change the lyrics’ font, size, and colour to make them more personalized. Once you’re happy with the lyrics, share them with the public.  

How to add disappearing text to your IG reel

Want to make your Instagram reels more engaging? Learn how to add text to Instagram reels at different times, making your content more dynamic and interactive. Follow these simple steps to add disappearing text to your IG reel.

  • Step 1: Go to your Instagram profile page and click the plus sign 
  • Step 2: Select reel options. You can upload content from your phone or record new content using the Instagram camera. 
  • Step 3: Click Next and then the double ‘Aa’ icon at the top of your screen to add text.
  • Step 4: Press the ‘A star’ to add a background colour after writing your text. When finished, click the ‘done’ button. If you want to add more text, repeat the process. To edit your text, you can make it larger or smaller by dragging it around. 
  • Step 5: At the bottom of your screen, you’ll see a box containing your typed words. Adjust the duration by clicking on the first box.  When you’re finished, deselect all of the words and press the arrow button at the top of your screen. 
  • Step 6: On the next page, you can tag people, choose your audience, and rename audio. Edit it until you’re satisfied. When you’re finished, click the share button. 

Bottomline

As we near the end of this article, it is clear that maximizing your marketing efforts through Instagram Reels necessitates a strategic approach. 

By following the steps we’ve outlined on how to add subtitles to Instagram Reels, you can effectively communicate your message to a larger audience, increase engagement, and ultimately achieve your Marketing objectives. 

If it’s too much to handle for you, here at 50 Pound Social, you can get your social media management done by professionals starting from only £50.

So, whether you do it yourself or not, don’t miss out on this powerful feature; start adding subtitles to your Instagram Reels immediately!