Business use cases for Spotify are growing as more companies launch podcasts to reach and speak to the platform’s more than 200 million users. If your business is using Spotify to connect with an audience, you need to ensure you’re speaking to as many people as possible. Since individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing, as well as users with other kinds of disabilities, often require support to effectively engage with podcasts, music and other audio content, offering written transcripts will help you better engage all subscribers. Making sure everyone can access your content will also help you grow a larger audience.
What is Spotify transcription?
Transcripts are readable versions of audio content. Spotify transcription provides text versions of content on the platform. There are different types of transcripts, and the right one for you will depend on the content you’re transcribing. Some transcripts only include words while others might detail non-speech audio elements. For instance, if a podcast incorporates non-speech elements like creaking doors, ringing bells or barking dogs, the transcript should include those as well.
It is also possible to transcribe music and elements of music recordings. Offering a readable version of lyrics is a great way to support Spotify users. For those who experience hearing loss or who are affected by auditory processing disorders and other neurodiverse conditions, transcripts are often a useful tool.
Why should I transcribe Spotify audio and music?
Prioritizing the accessibility of your content is the most important reason to transcribe Spotify audio and music. However, Spotify transcription is also helpful for your business objectives.
For example, transcribing your content helps it reach more people. Not only can people with disabilities benefit from transcripts, but so can subscribers whose first language is something other than English. The written text can aid their understanding of lyrics or other audio content.
Transcripts also improve your content’s searchability. The reason for this is that search engines can crawl the text of a posted transcript. Crawling written content is the way that search engines, like Google, know what content is relevant for any given search. Audio-only content won’t perform as well as content that also comes in written form. Savvy brands work hard to boost their search engine optimization (SEO). Including transcripts of content is a simple way to get the most out of content that you’ve already created.
Is there a transcript option on Spotify?
Unlike some other media-hosting platforms, Spotify does not currently offer an in-house transcription tool for creators. While some music tracks on Spotify feature the option to view on-screen lyrics, users are only able to view the lyrics. The transcript doesn’t include other accessibility tools. Because Spotify does not offer an in-app or on-site accessible transcription solution for end users, users need to create transcripts for Spotify content via third-party channels.
One of the most common types of transcription for digital content is automatic transcription. You can use automatic speech recognition technology to quickly produce transcripts for sites like YouTube. At first blush, users may see Spotify’s lack of an auto-transcription tool as an inconvenience. However, it’s important to understand that automatic transcription solutions rely exclusively on artificial intelligence. Currently, AI alone often creates final transcripts that contain a substantial number of errors. Transcripts that have many errors aren’t particularly useful and can be a barrier for audience members who need transcripts to enjoy an equitable experience. Fortunately, there are alternative ways to produce transcripts that are cost-effective and yield high quality results.
How to transcribe Spotify’s audio
In the absence of an existing transcription tool for Spotify, users can partner with a professional transcription provider like Verbit to transcribe their audio content. Verbit uses a dual approach to transcription that combines the efficiency of artificial intelligence with the expertise of human transcribers to produce a high volume of transcripts quickly and accurately.
Verbit’s trained professionals create accurate transcripts of a wide range of audio content, including music. This process allows Verbit to achieve accuracy rates that support critical accessibility standards and guidelines while offering more equitable and engaging experiences for all subscribers.
Simply upload your audio file to Verbit’s platform and download the finished product in your desired transcription format. You can then use the transcript text on third-party sites, social media or incorporate it into other marketing materials.
Can I add a transcript to a Spotify podcast?
Verbit’s process can also help you create readable versions of podcast episodes. With the growing popularity of podcasting, it’s particularly important to incorporate assistive technologies into podcast content whenever possible. Creators can share their Spotify podcast transcripts with audience members to improve accessibility and expand the reach of their message.
Spotify’s transcription and accessibility updates
Spotify has also acknowledged the importance of podcast transcripts. The company recently added automatic transcription for their original content and ”exclusive” podcasts. It’s possible that the platform will eventually offer more transcription options, but for now, Spotify is showing its willingness to improve its accessibility features.
Additionally, Spotify is making it easier to change the size of text in the app on iOS. Offering an easy way to increase text size is helpful for people using the app who have low vision. Now, users can go into their settings, select “larger text” and set the size based on their needs and preferences.
Hopefully, Spotify will take more steps in the future to make its content and platform more accessible. In the meantime, it’s important for anyone posting content on Spotify to take steps to make their own content more accessible.
Transcribing your Spotify content with Verbit
Verbit makes transcribing your podcast content easy. As an accessibility provider, Verbit works with its partners to create more inclusive experiences. With Verbit, you can create searchable transcripts of all your content, as well as captions and audio descriptions for any video content. Verbit also offers real-time transcription solutions like call transcription that support more effective, inclusive live events and communications through platforms like Spotify Live.
If you’re creating podcasts or other audio content and want to learn how to expand your audience and increase your accessibility, reach out to speak with a member of our team.