How to Add Subtitles to YouTube Videos You Did Not Upload

Adding subtitles to YouTube videos can greatly enhance their accessibility and user engagement, especially if you did not upload those videos. Whether you're creating subtitles for your own content or helping others, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

Add Subtitles to Someone Else's Video

If you want to add subtitles to a video you did not upload, there are several steps you need to follow. First, ensure you have the rights to download and distribute the video. Once you have the necessary permissions, follow the process below:

Step 1: Download the Video

Use a reliable video downloader like 4K Video Downloader. Paste the video link into the downloader, and save the file to your computer.

Step 2: Create Subtitles

Create subtitles using a service like Vidby. When you upload a video to this service, the AI will automatically recognize the audio, creating a transcript. You can then translate this transcript into your preferred language, and the text will be synchronized with the video. Once you have the subtitles, save them in .srt format.

Step 3: Upload Subtitles to YouTube

Go to YouTube Studio. Select the video where you want to add subtitles and click on the “Subtitles” tab. Upload the .srt file you have created. After uploading, check the synchronization and edit the subtitles if necessary. Finally, send the file to the video's author.

Add Subtitles to Your Own Video

If you've already uploaded a video to YouTube but forgot to add subtitles, you can add them at any time. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Access YouTube Studio

Go to YouTube Studio. In the video, click on “More” and then “Subtitles captions.”

Step 2: Create or Import Subtitles

You can either create subtitles manually if you have a transcript, or import them from a source like an .srt file. If you need assistance, you can contact the video's author and offer your help.

Professional Subtitle Services

If you want to create high-quality, human-reviewed subtitles, consider using services like Vidby. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Place an Order

Go to the Vidby website and fill out the order form. Choose one or more languages from over 150 options, specify the video length, and select the quality level you need (AI generation or additional human review).

Step 2: Download and Send Subtitles

After placing the order, the subtitles will be created and automatically synchronized with the video. Download the .srt file and send it to the video's author. They can then upload the subtitles through their YouTube Studio.

For Personal Use

If you want to add subtitles to videos for personal use, you can use the Substital extension. This extension allows you to add and overlay subtitles on videos, including on YouTube.

Step 1: Install Substital Extension

Find and install the Substital extension from the Chrome Web Store. Open YouTube and play the video to which you want to add subtitles.

Step 2: Add Subtitles

Click the extension icon, and in the menu that appears, choose the subtitles option. You can also adjust subtitle synchronization and change their size, color, and display in the menu.

Alternatively, you can find ready-made subtitles on sites like OpenSubtitles or Subscene. Download these subtitles to your computer and add them to your media player. This is usually done by dragging the file into the player window or clicking File > Load Subtitle and selecting the subtitle file manually.

For Public Use

If you have permission to distribute someone else’s video content, you can save it to your YouTube channel and directly upload the pre-created and translated subtitles or create them manually right on the platform.

In conclusion, adding subtitles to YouTube videos is a valuable way to increase accessibility and user engagement. Whether you're creating them for your own content or helping others, there are many tools and services available to make the process smooth and efficient. Happy subtitling!