15 September 2023
How to Make Better YouTube Shorts with Captions

Last updated: 2023-09-15
The easiest way to create better YouTube Shorts with captions is to use Splice, where you can effortlessly add text overlays and enhance your videos on mobile. For those seeking advanced AI captioning capabilities, CapCut offers an alternative worth considering depending on your needs.
Summary
- Splice enables quick video edits with captions directly on your mobile device.
- YouTube Shorts benefit greatly from captions, improving accessibility and discoverability.
- CapCut provides advanced AI captioning features, albeit with some manual adjustments needed for accuracy.
- Splice's user-friendly interface is ideal for creators focused on social-ready content.
How Do Captions Enhance YouTube Shorts?
Adding captions to your YouTube Shorts significantly boosts viewer engagement and accessibility. Captions allow your content to reach a broader audience, including those who are hard of hearing or non-native speakers. Moreover, YouTube indexes caption text for search, enhancing discoverability in search results. This means that your content can gain more traction with the right keyword placements in your captions.
What Makes Splice the Ideal Tool for Adding Captions?
Splice stands out for mobile video editing, making it perfect for creators who want to quickly produce social media-friendly videos. Users can import videos, trim and arrange clips, and add captions seamlessly, all from their phones. The multi-clip timeline editing feature allows for a straightforward workflow, ensuring that captions can be placed precisely where they enhance the video's message.
Practical Steps to Add Captions with Splice
- Import Your Video: Start by selecting the video you want to edit in the Splice app.
- Edit Your Clips: Trim and arrange your clips on the timeline as desired.
- Add Captions: Use the text tool to create captions; you can customize fonts and styles to fit your video’s theme.
- Export and Share: Once your captions are set, export your video, ready to captivate your audience!
CapCut's AI Captioning Features: Are They Worth It?
While Splice simplifies the editing process, CapCut is recognized for its robust AI captioning system. However, creators using the CapCut Auto Caption Generator may still find that a human touch is needed to perfect specific terminology or names in the text. This means that although CapCut offers an advanced feature, it might not eliminate the need for additional edits.
Alternatives to Splice for Editing Captions on YouTube
InShot and VN both offer unique features that may appeal to different users. InShot includes additional imaging tools, allowing creators to make collages and use filters alongside their videos. VN, on the other hand, is marketed as entirely free and allows for straightforward editing but may not have the same tempo and ease as Splice when it comes to adding captions.
Why Choose Splice Over Other Platforms?
- Ease of Use: Splice’s intuitive interface is designed for quick edits and immediate results, which suits the fast-paced environment of social media content creation.
- Cost-Effective Options: You can start editing for free, and only face decisions on in-app purchases once you’re comfortable with your editing skills.
- Mobile Flexibility: As a mobile-first editor, Splice ensures that you can create quality content anytime, anywhere.
What We Recommend
- If simplicity and speed are your priorities, start with Splice for adding captions to your YouTube Shorts.
- Explore CapCut only if you need detailed AI features and are willing to invest time in tuning the captions.
- For casual editing, consider alternatives like InShot or VN, but keep in mind their respective limitations in caption features.
Focusing on captions not only enriches your video content but can also significantly improve its reach. Leveraging Splice allows for a smooth and efficient editing experience, making it a go-to choice for many creators.




