How to Transcribe Instagram Reels Step-by-Step

  • 2024-07-16
  • Serra Ardem
How to Transcribe Instagram Reels Step-by-Step

We all know how crucial it is to add captions to Instagram Reels, but what about transcribing them? This overlooked practice can open new doors to both viewers and creators, enhancing versatility and accessibility in content consumption and production.

In this blog, we will explain:

  • Why you should transcribe Instagram Reels
  • How to transcribe Instagram Reels with AI
  • How to utilize your Reels transcript in 6 ways

Let’s get started.

Why should you transcribe Instagram Reels?

If you’re a creator, transcribing your Instagram Reels will not only boost your content’s impact but also offer a wider range of benefits. Let’s see why this practice is much more than adding the text version of your videos.

The logo of Instagram.
  • Accessibility: Transcripts open up your content to a wider audience, including deaf and hard of hearing viewers as well as non-native speakers. Plus, viewers in noisy environments can still understand your message without needing audio.
  • SEO: Transcripts can include keywords that improve your content’s discoverability. This will make it easier for users to find your Reels through search.
  • Repurposing: You can use the text version of your Reel to create more content, such as blog posts, podcast episodes, and so on. Just leverage your transcript and utilize it as a springboard for new ideas.
  • Engagement: Captions can grab attention and pull viewers in. A well-written transcript can act as an extended caption, providing more context and encouraging viewers to spend more time with your content.
  • Brand Image: Taking the extra step to transcribe Instagram Reels will demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. This can reflect positively on your brand image, building trust and loyalty among your audience.

What if you’re a viewer? Transcribing Instagram Reels can help you better comprehend the content, search for specific parts quickly, and revisit important points without having to watch the entire video again. You can also share insights or quotes from the Reel more easily with the others.

How to Transcribe Instagram Reels Online

Now we’ll go over the steps on how to transcribe Instagram Reels on mobile and web. This part especially caters to viewers who want to convert video to text for various purposes like keeping personal notes or capturing specific information.

(If you’re a creator who wants to generate a Reels transcript, just skip to the sixth step and download your video file to Maestra’s AI-powered video to text converter.)

Unfortunately, Instagram itself doesn’t have a built-in feature that allows users to directly transcribe Reels after they’ve been posted. However, you can resort to other workarounds like third-party apps.

1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile phone or web browser and find the Reel you want to transcribe.

2. Tap the arrow (share) icon to see the sharing options. For mobile users, this can be found on the right side or under the Reel. Meanwhile, desktop users can find it in the top right corner near the username.

3. Tap “Copy link” to copy the Reel’s link.

4. Find a third-party service that will enable you to download the video to your device. Some popular options are Snapinsta, instaSave, and IG Downloader.

5. Paste the Reel’s link into the designated bar and then download.

6. To convert the downloaded video to text, log into your Maestra account and navigate to the “Transcription” option on the left-side menu. 

7. Click “+New Transcription” in the top right corner. A pop-up window will appear.

8. Upload the video file and choose its audio language. Then click “Submit”.

9. Your transcript will be ready in seconds with speaker identification and timestamps. You can edit the transcript if you wish, easily search for keywords, add notes, or share the text to collaborate with others.

10. Now just click “Export” in the top right corner to download the transcript in the format you prefer.

*You can use Maestra’s free video transcription trial as well, which does not require an account.

How to Use Your Reels Transcript in 6 Ways

Once you transcribe Instagram Reels, you can make the most of them in several creative ways. Here’s a breakdown of how to utilize a Reels transcript:

  • Write a caption based on your transcript. It’s better to format the caption for readability. For example, you can break the text into digestible chunks and use bullet points to highlight key points. Don’t forget to add relevant hashtags to enhance discoverability.
  • Create Instagram Stories with text slides. Extract key information from your transcript and then craft a series of Stories to share these points. Style these with bold fonts and catchy color combinations. You can add stickers or GIFs to add some fun as well.
  • Create a quiz or poll. Leverage main points from your transcript with interactive polls and quizzes on Instagram Stories. This will not only make your content more memorable but also drive engagement. However, don’t overwhelm your audience with too many questions, and keep it light and fun to maintain interest.
  • Share the full transcript with a link in bio. For those interested in more detailed information, you can direct them to a full transcript via a link added to your bio. Use services like Linktree or Later, which can help you manage multiple links effectively. 
  • Repurpose the transcript into a blog post. Go through your transcript and identify interesting ideas or specific quotes that can resonate with your audience. Then develop these points into a comprehensive blog post. Make sure your blog post has a catchy title and is SEO friendly.
  • Transform the transcript into targeted ad copy. Think about your ideal audience and extract the most powerful statements from your transcript. Keep the message concise and impactful, highlighting the benefits of your product or service. Include a clear call to action (CTA) to tell people what you want them to do next.

One final tip: Adding subtitles to Instagram Reels is just as important as transcribing audio. Instagram offers auto captions but for the most accurate result, you can use Maestra’s AI subtitle generator. The tool supports 125+ languages and can add captions to your video content in a matter of seconds.

How to transcribe Instagram Reels online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Instagram transcribe audio to text?

As of July 2024, Instagram itself cannot transcribe audio to text. Therefore, if you want to transcribe Instagram Reels, you need to use Instagram video transcription software. Generally, you need to first download the Reel via a third party service and then upload it to the video transcription tool.

Which AI transcribes Instagram Reels?

Maestra is the AI tool you can use to transcribe Instagram Reels. It adopts advanced machine learning technology to convert Instagram Reels to text quickly and accurately. The software will help you improve accessibility, rank better in search results, and increase your viewership.

Can I use ChatGPT to transcribe a video?

ChaGPT cannot transcribe audio or video files. However, once you get a transcript from another tool, you can use ChatGPT to refine or analyze the text. The LLM can help with editing, summarizing, proofreading, and generating insights from the transcript.

How do you get Instagram Reels to read text?

When you add text to a Reel, you can then convert that text to speech with Instagram’s built-in feature. Here are the steps to follow. Keep in mind that this feature is currently only available in English and select countries.

How to get translate option on Instagram?

Instagram offers automatic translation for viewers. You’ll find a “See translation” option when you encounter a post, profile, Story or comment in a language different from your device’s language. Just tap on the option to translate content into the language your device is set to.

Summary

This blog provided a step-by-step tutorial on how to transcribe Instagram Reels with Maestra. It also shared the benefits of this practice as well as the various ways to make the most of a Reels transcript.

Before concluding, let’s note the best practices to adopt when converting Instagram Reels to text:

  • Choose a transcription service that offers consistent styling alongside speaker identification and timestamps.
  • AI is very powerful nowadays, but make sure you go over the transcript to catch any errors missed by the automated process.
  • Maintain the original voice and personality of your Reel by ensuring the transcript reflects the intended tone.
  • Feel free to edit the transcript to make it easier to understand by audiences.
  • Include relevant keywords throughout the transcript to improve the discoverability of your text content.

By incorporating these practices when you transcribe Instagram Reels, you can maximize your content’s impact while preserving its essence.

Serra Ardem

About Serra Ardem

Serra Ardem is a freelance writer and editor based in Istanbul. For the last 8 years, she has been collaborating with brands and businesses to tell their unique story and develop their verbal identity.