Make an Instagram Reel accessible with captions

Instagram's caption sticker requires a creator to add it manually, so a meaningful share of Reels — including most reposts — have no captions at all, which is a real barrier for viewers who need them.

Transcribing the Reel's audio produces an SRT/VTT file for a caption track, plus a plain-text transcript for screen-reader users, who can't parse an on-screen sticker regardless of whether one was added. This is the same process whether the original had a caption sticker or not, since the output always comes from the audio.

• Doesn't depend on whether the creator added Instagram's caption sticker at posting time.
• SRT/VTT for a real caption track; plain text for screen readers, which can't read an in-video graphic.
• Consistent process for brand/creator accounts standardizing accessibility across every Reel.

Workflow

1. Transcribe the Instagram video.
2. Export SRT/VTT and attach it as the video's caption track.
3. Also publish the plain-text transcript on the page — a screen reader can read page text directly, but it can't parse a caption track embedded in a video player.

FAQ