Captioning
Captions / Subtitles
On-screen text rendered over short-form video showing what the speaker is saying. Critical because most feed traffic plays muted by default — captions are the primary conveyance of the content.
Captions (also: subtitles, sometimes "subs") are on-screen text rendered over short-form video. Modern platforms play with sound off by default in feed, so captions are usually the primary way the content is consumed. Caption quality involves three layers: accuracy (the words match the speech, including names and jargon), styling (font, colour, animation that fits the platform — TikTok rewards animated word-by-word reveal; LinkedIn prefers static block text), and writing (the on-screen text doesn't have to mirror the audio verbatim — top creators often paraphrase for punch and dramatic timing).
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