Instagram Adds Captions to Stories & Reels

Instagram Enhances Accessibility with New Captions Sticker

Instagram is improving the accessibility of its video content by introducing a new “captions sticker” for both Stories and Reels. This feature enables viewers to enjoy videos without relying on audio playback.

Benefits of the Captions Sticker

The addition caters to users who are deaf or hard of hearing, providing a more inclusive experience. It also offers a convenient viewing option for situations where sound is undesirable or impractical, such as in public spaces or without headphones.

How to Utilize the Feature

Creators can easily add captions by first recording a new video within the Instagram app’s Stories or Reels camera, or by uploading an existing video from their device. Accessing the sticker tray reveals the new “Captions” sticker.

This sticker automatically converts spoken words into text. Users have the ability to customize the appearance of the captions, including style, placement, text, and color, to ensure they complement the video content.

Initial Availability and Future Expansion

Currently, the captions sticker is available exclusively in English and within English-speaking regions. Instagram has announced plans to extend support to additional languages and countries in the near future.

The rollout will begin with Stories, followed by testing in Reels, with a wider release scheduled after the testing phase is complete.

Development and Comparison to TikTok

The captions sticker was initially observed during development last year, alongside other potential features. Facebook, Instagram’s parent company, is also reportedly developing a similar sticker.

TikTok recently launched its own auto captions feature, but differs in functionality. TikTok’s auto captions automatically translate speech in American English and Japanese, but lack customization options and are controlled by the viewer.

Impact and Previous Caption Support

Instagram previously implemented caption support for Threads and IGTV. However, extending this functionality to Stories and Reels is expected to have a greater impact, considering Instagram Stories boasts over 500 million daily users.

This update underscores Instagram’s commitment to making its platform more accessible and user-friendly for a diverse audience.