Snapchat Debuts Closed Captioning Feature on ‘Discover’ Content
A few weeks ago, we reported on Facebook’s step in the right direction with closed captioning. The social networking giant announced that video ads would now have closed captioning on video that automatically start playing when users scroll on their mobile devices. Facebook generates the captions automatically, and the advertisers have the option to edit the captions before the video is published. While we’d like to see this sort of feature for all Facebook video, another social networking app is making content more accessible as well.
Last week, Snapchat announced that its “Discover” video content now has a closed captioning feature. “Discover” content features videos from major media producers like CNN, Buzzfeed, Mashable, Cosmopolitan, Comedy Central, and MTV. Unlike Facebook, Snapchat’s captions must be uploaded manually by the content producers, and ensures greater caption accuracy.  Users are also able to turn captions on or off, regardless of whether or not they’re playing the videos with sound.
Mashable has already begun using the closed captioning feature.
While sound disruption in public is likely a main reason for the feature, they’re also bringing much-needed accessibility to the videos to 50 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans.
No plans have been announced to bring the closed captioning feature to regular users of the app, but would be a great addition.
While closed captioning is not required for the videos, we here at VITAC urge all of Snapchat’s “Discover” content producers to do so.
By Brittany Bender