Guide To Adding Captions To Instagram Reels: 2 Easy Ways For 2025
Adding captions to Instagram reels is no longer an option but a necessity in this day and age. If you are still posting video content on social media without captions, you are missing out on your full audience. It’s like serving fries without ketchup, one of the fastest ways to chase away your guests.
So if you want to retain viewers and boost engagement on Instagram, read on. Learn 2 easy ways to add captions to Instagram reels and further tips to master captioning in 2025.
What Are Instagram Reels?
Instagram Reels are a response to the trend of short-form video content kickstarted by TikTok.
Since their first introduction in 2020, Reels have surpassed other types of content to become Instagram’s spotlight feature.
According to Social Insider, Reels drive the highest comment and impression rates compared to image and carousel content.
Therefore, more and more brands have prioritized reels in their marketing strategy.
5 Reasons Why Adding Captions To Instagram Reels Is Important
If you are using Instagram reels for marketing purposes, you should ensure all viewers are fully consuming your message, and adding captions to Instagram reels is the most effective way to do it.
So why adding captions to Instagram reels is so important? I’ve listed 5 reasons to do it below.
Many people are watching videos with the sound off or low volume
A study by Verizon Media and Publicis Media showed that 69% of US media consumers watch videos with mute on in public places. Captioning makes it easier for viewers to watch Instagram reels and get your message wherever they are, especially when they don’t have earphones and don’t want to disturb other people in public.
Adding captions to Instagram reels boosts engagement and watch time
According to the same study from Verizon Media and Publicis Media, 80% of US consumers are more likely to finish a video if it has captions. Captions help hold viewers’ attention by ensuring that they can easily follow along with what you say.
Adding captions improves the accessibility of Instagram reels
Captions support audiences with hearing loss issues or non-native speakers, like overseas viewers. Without text elements, they may find it hard to understand your message. Thus, adding captions is an effective way to touch these audiences.
Your content is easier to consume regardless of the audio quality
Sometimes, the audio quality of your videos may be low due to the environment or recording equipment. Captioning helps viewers fully get what you say regardless of the audio quality.
Captions optimize Instagram reels for SEO
Search engines cannot listen to audio and index content, but they can process text like captions and transcripts. When you add captions and transcriptions to Instagram videos, they can be indexed for SEO. This helps users find them more easily, leading to higher traffic and views.
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How To Add Captions to Instagram Reels: A Complete Guide (2025)
Now that you know how important captions are, let’s discover the best ways to add captions to Instagram reels.
There are 2 common ways to add captions to Instagram reels: use the built-in captioning feature on Instagram or a third-party app for more customizable.
Instagram’s built-in captioning feature
You can easily add auto-generated close captions to Instagram reels with its built-in captioning feature.
Closed captions (CC) are separate from the video and can be turned off by viewers.
To use Instagram’s built-in captioning feature, follow these 3 simple steps:
Step 1: Upload an Instagram reel
Open the Instagram app, then tap the + icon on the bottom of the screen to navigate to Instagram creation options. Select Reels.
Upload an existing video on your phone or record a new reel by clicking on the camera icon in the top left corner.
Then, click Next.
Step 2: Tap on Captions
Tap Sticker (the square smiley face icon) on the video editing screen. In the pop-up menu, select Captions.
Instagram will automatically transcribe audio to text.
Step 3: Select a font and format style
When transcribing is completed, you can choose a font and format style for your captions from the available options on Instagram.
Finally, tap on Done to add captions to your Instagram reel video and publish it to the platform.
Third-party caption apps
If you want more editing and customizing options, use a third-party tool to add open captions to Instagram videos.
Open captions are permanently burned in the video and cannot be turned off by viewers.
Below are my top picks for Instagram reel captioning mobile apps.
CapCut – Free caption generator app
CapCut is a free video editor, video maker, and captioning tool. This app can recognize different languages and create auto captions with high accuracy.
Besides, CapCut stands out with trending styles, a large music library, and a user-friendly interface.
You can use CapCut online in your browser or download a desktop/mobile app. It works on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
CapCut’s auto-caption generator is available for free within the app. The paid version includes more AI-powered tools, premium templates, effects, and media assets.
Veed.io – Supporting over 100 languages
VEED is a free AI video editor with intuitive features like content detection, auto-subtitles, voice translations, etc.
Using VEED, you can easily add accurate captions to your Instagram reel videos.
VEED supports over 100 languages and works on any device: Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android, iPad, and more. It offers a free version, but the exports will be in a lower resolution with a watermark.
Paid versions offer additional features and higher-quality output.
Canva – Diverse and customizable templates
Another great 3th-party app for adding captions to Instagram reels is Canva. Its caption generator is available for videos with speech.
Currently, Canva supports over 10 languages for this feature.
What I love about Canva is how easy it has made designing. The templates are so diverse and customizable that even beginners can create professional products like a pro.
Instagram’s Built-In Captioning Feature vs Third-Party Caption Apps: Which One Should You Choose?
To decide between Instagram’s built-in captioning feature and a 3rd-party app for adding captions to Instagram reels, it’s important to weigh their pros and cons.
| Built-In Captioning | Third-Party App | |
| Pros | Free.
Easy to use. Can be turned on or off. Language flexibility. |
Universal accessibility.
No action is required. More customizable. Diverse formats and templates. |
| Cons | If the default setting is off, viewers won’t see captions until enabling them.
Less customizable. |
Language limitations.
Inability to toggle off. App download required. |
Based on your requirements, you will be able to make the final decision.
Can I edit close captions on Instagram reels?
Yes, you can.
Instagram’s automatic captioning feature may have errors and misspellings. Thus, you may need to edit them manually before posting.
Here’s how to edit captions on Instagram reels in a few steps:
- Tap the text you want to edit.
- Type the correct words.
- Tap on Done.
Once you correct the captions, you can publish the reel as normal.
6 Tips To Choose The Best Third-Party Captions App For Instagram Reels
Consider these 6 factors to select the most suitable third-party app for adding captions to Instagram reels.
- Accuracy: The app should faultlessly convert the audio to captions. Minor errors might be acceptable, but too many misspellings are definitely a no-no.
- Customization: Third-party caption apps should be more customizable, allowing you to change the appearance of the captions (font, color, size, effect) to match your brand’s style.
- Language support: Make sure the app works well with the language you speak in your videos.
- User-friendliness: The app should be easy to use with clear instructions on generating captions and editing videos.
- Compatibility: The app must be compatible with your device or browser.
- Pricing: Compare the pricing if you need paid versions for advanced functions.
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Conclusion
If you are not adding captions to Instagram reels, you are losing a lot of views and conversions from your hard work videos. I hope that with this detailed guide, you can add captions to your videos with ease and boost your video performance effectively. If you have any difficulties in this process, let me know in the comment section below.
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