Transcripts

A written, text-based representation of spoken audio or audiovisual content. WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.2.1 (Audio-only and Video-only Prerecorded) requires an alternative for time-based media — typically a transcript — for pre-recorded audio-only content such as podcasts, voice notes, and audio messages. For audiovisual content, transcripts complement captions and audio descriptions by providing a static, searchable, screen-reader-friendly record. Transcripts benefit deaf and hard-of-hearing users, people in noise-sensitive or noisy environments, non-native speakers, and anyone who prefers reading to listening, and they also improve SEO and content reusability.