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Creating captions for a short LinkedIn expert video
Prepare and check captions for a short LinkedIn expert video, including SRT files and the limits of automatic caption review.
Create captions from the final audio, review them against the video, then verify them on the LinkedIn post. WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.2.2, Captions (Prerecorded), Level A, requires synchronised captions for all prerecorded audio in synchronised media, except media that is a clearly labelled alternative for text; captions include dialogue, speaker identification and meaningful sounds.
Key accessibility standards and guidelines
- WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion
- 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded), Level A
- Alternative media requirement
- Audio description or media alternative for non-speech content
- LinkedIn caption support
- SRT file upload and automatic captioning
Prepare the final audio
Keep the spoken explanation focused on one question. Write down names and specialist terms a captioning tool might mishear; if the expert points to a screen and says “this one”, have them name the item aloud.
Captions convey what was said; they cannot recover an important visual fact that nobody described.
Finish the video edit before creating timed captions. A file made for an earlier cut may put words against the wrong action.
Choose the LinkedIn caption route
LinkedIn has an automatic-caption route and a closed-caption file route. Automatic captions are a starting point rather than a finished check, so review them against the final audio and correct any errors.
To create a draft, use an online transcription service such as Rev or a built-in caption feature in video-editing software. Compare the transcript with the final audio, correct it, then export an SRT file.
An SRT is a text file with sequential caption numbers, start and end timecodes, and one or more lines of caption text. The timecodes let each cue be synchronised with the audio.
To upload an SRT, add the video to a new LinkedIn post, select Edit (pencil) on the video thumbnail, then under Captions choose Select file or Upload caption file and select the .srt file. Attach it before publishing.
If automatic captions are wrong or missing, prepare a corrected SRT and use the closed-caption upload route. For an existing video, open its settings with Edit (pencil) and choose Select Caption to attach the file.
Automatic vs. manual captioning on LinkedIn
- Automatic captions
- Fast start, but requires review; may mishear names, technical terms, or context
- Manual (SRT) captions
- Higher accuracy; allows full control over timing, wording, and speaker identification
Edit for meaning and timing
Play the final video and compare each caption with the audio. Check names, specialist terms, numbers, negatives, conditions, units and acronyms; make sure all dialogue is included, speakers are identified and meaningful sounds are captioned.
Use one or two lines per cue, up to 42 characters per line, and two to four seconds on screen as readability targets. Set the start and end times so each cue appears with the words it represents and does not run against the wrong action.
Watch the final cut with sound off to check whether the spoken point remains understandable through captions. Then watch with captions on and check that they do not cover essential on-screen detail.
If a demonstration depends on a gesture or diagram that speech never explains, add that explanation to the audio or provide an appropriate text account of the visual information.
Check the posted video
Once LinkedIn has processed the upload, play the post and confirm captions are available in the intended language, match the final audio and leave essential visual detail visible. Replay while checking names, specialist terms, numbers and meaningful sounds.
If captions are missing or wrong, use the closed-caption file route to attach a reviewed SRT. Do not treat the video as verified until captions are available and accurate.
