Struggling to unlock the valuable content hidden within YouTube videos? Transcripts are the key, but getting them can be a frustrating process.
Imagine effortlessly transforming engaging video content into versatile written formats: blog posts, email campaigns, social media updates, and more. With the right approach, you can tap into a goldmine of repurposable material.
Let's walk you through the exact steps to obtain accurate YouTube video transcripts as quickly and easily as possible.
What is a video transcription?
A video transcription is essentially the written version of everything spoken in a video. It takes the audio content — whether it's dialogue, narration, or interviews — and converts it into text.
Transcripts are especially helpful when you need to analyze or review video content without having to constantly pause and rewind. They're also easy to scan, so you can jump straight to the parts that matter the most.
YouTube transcript vs. YouTube captions
While both YouTube transcripts and captions are used to convey spoken content from a video, they serve different purposes and offer unique benefits. Let's break down the main differences between the two:
How to get a transcript of a YouTube video: 4 simple steps
Here's a quick guide to help you get the transcript of a YouTube video in just four easy steps. Let's walk through how to find, toggle, and copy the transcript from a YouTube video. For our example, we’ll use one of Podcastle’s tutorials.
1) Locate the transcript in the YouTube description
The first step is to find the transcript option in the video description. Once you open the video you want to transcribe, look just below the video player for a set of options like Share and Save. You’ll notice three dots (also called the More button) right next to those options. Click on these three dots, and a small dropdown menu will appear, where you’ll see the option to Show transcript.
2) Click Show transcript
Once you’ve found the Show transcript button, click it, and a full transcript will pop up on the right side of the video. You’ll see all the spoken words in the video, listed line by line, along with their respective timestamps. This is the raw transcript directly generated by YouTube, either auto-generated or uploaded by the creator.
3) Toggle the timestamps
By default, the transcript will include timestamps for each line of dialogue. If you don’t need them, you can easily toggle them off. Look for the three dots in the top-right corner of the transcript box, click them, and select Toggle timestamps to remove the time markers. This makes the transcript a lot cleaner and easier to read or copy for future use.
4) Copy and paste the transcript
Now that you’ve got the transcript how you want it, it's time to copy it. Simply click and drag your cursor over the text to highlight it. Then right-click and select "Copy." From here, you can paste the transcript into a Google Doc, Word document, or any text editor of your choice. You may need to clean up the formatting a bit, but this is a quick and easy way to get the full text from the video for further use.
Other Ways to Transcribe a YouTube Video
While YouTube transcripts can be useful, they aren’t always the most reliable or accurate. Sometimes, auto-generated transcripts don’t cut it, especially if the video has technical language, heavy accents, or background noise. So how do you get a transcript of a YouTube video with alternative methods?
Here are some of the alternative YouTube transcribing options to consider.
The Simple Way: Automated transcription with Podcastle
If you’re looking for a quick and accurate way to transcribe video to text, Podcastle's got your back. It’s as simple as a few clicks, and before you know it, your audio will be transformed into a polished transcript.
Here’s how you can do it, whether you’re working on a video tutorial, a podcast, or even—just maybe—a country music classic like Take Me Home, Country Roads. 🎶
1) Upload the Video to Podcastle
To start, you’ll need to download your YouTube video. Then, head over to Podcastle and create a new project. Upload the video file, and Podcastle will automatically convert it into an audio track—ready to transcribe video to text.
2) Transcribe the audio
Once your audio track is in the project, right-click on it and choose Transcribe.In a few seconds, you’ll have a full-text version of your video.
3) Edit the Transcript
Podcastle gives you complete control over the transcript. Want to remove filler words like “um” and “uh” or cut out silent parts? You can easily fine-tune the transcript with its AI-powered editing tools. This step ensures your video-to-text converter results are neat, precise, and ready to use.
4) Export the Transcript
Once you’re happy with your transcription, it’s time to export. You can save it in either PDF or .docx formats, whichever suits your needs. Now, you’ve got a clean, professional transcript ready to go.
The Slower Method: Manual transcription
Manual transcription is the process of having a human transcribe your video by listening to the audio and typing out every word.
To get a YouTube transcript manually, you can either transcribe the video yourself (if you’ve got the time and patience) or hire a professional transcriber.
Here’s how the process typically works if you decide to hire someone for the job:
- Search for a transcription service: You can find freelancers or agencies that specialize in manual transcription on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or transcription-specific services.
- Submit your video: Share your YouTube link or upload the video directly to the transcriber.
- Review the rates: Manual transcription is often charged per minute of audio, so check the pricing based on the length of your video.
- Set a deadline: Make sure to agree on a timeline with the transcriber, so you know when to expect the completed transcript.
- Receive and review the transcript: Once the transcription is done, you'll receive a clean, accurate text version of your YouTube video, which you can then use for content creation, research, or other purposes.
Manual transcription is ideal for videos with highly technical content, multiple speakers, or complex dialogue that may confuse automated systems. It’s also great when you need top-notch accuracy without having to fix errors afterward.
However, if you're working with simple content and need a quick solution, automated transcription might be the better option. It’s faster, more affordable, and good enough for straightforward videos where perfect accuracy isn’t a must.
How can you use a YouTube video transcription?
YouTube video transcription can come in handy for various reasons. Here are just a couple of cases where having a YouTube video transcription could make your workflow more efficient and easier.
1) Easier research
A YouTube transcript is a lifesaver when it comes to research. Instead of sitting through an entire video to catch that one important detail, you can simply skim the transcript to find the exact information you need. Whether you're a student, researcher, or just someone looking for specific content, a transcript makes the process quick and painless — no more rewinding and pausing repeatedly. Plus, it's especially handy for long tutorials or interviews where every minute counts.
2) Content repurposing
If you're a blogger, podcaster, or any kind of content creator, a YouTube transcript makes your life easier. You can easily pull quotes, key insights, or even entire sections from the transcript to use in your articles or scripts. Repurposing video content into blog posts or social media snippets becomes a breeze. With all the spoken content laid out in front of you, you can rearrange and reuse it however you want, giving your creativity a boost.
3) Boost your SEO
Believe it or not, transcripts can actually help your content rank higher on Google. While search engines can’t watch videos, they can index the text that comes with them. By embedding a YouTube transcript alongside your video, you’re adding a layer of SEO-friendly content that makes it easier for search engines to understand and rank your page. If you’re looking to boost your visibility, this small step can make a big difference.
4) More accessible content
Offering a YouTube transcript opens up your content to a much broader audience. For viewers with hearing impairments or those who prefer to read instead of watch, transcripts provide a more inclusive experience. Even for those in noisy environments where watching a video isn’t ideal, having a transcript ensures they don’t miss out on any valuable information. It’s a simple but powerful way to ensure your content is accessible to everyone.
Transcripts can be much more than just words on a page. See them as the fuel for your entire content strategy. With the techniques you've learned, you can effortlessly extract value from every video you create.
Blogs, emails, social posts... Your YouTube content can now power it all. No more starting from scratch or spending hours rewriting. You'll produce more, reach further, and engage deeper across all your channels.
Ready to amplify your content's impact? Put these transcript techniques into action with Podcastle's automated transcription tool. These transcript methods will help you create more, reach further, and make a bigger impact with the valuable insights you're already producing.
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