Spotify has announced a new transcription feature for podcasts. This new feature will allow users to read along with podcasts as they listen.
The transcription feature is powered by artificial intelligence and is still under development, but Spotify says it is already accurate enough for users to follow along with most podcast episodes.
To use the transcription feature, users need to scroll down below the podcast player and tap on the “read along” section. This will open a full-screen transcript of the podcast episode, synced to the audio.
The transcription feature could make podcasts more accessible to a wider audience, including users who are deaf or hard of hearing. These people are learning a new language and multitasking while listening to podcasts.
It could also be helpful for people who want to take notes on podcasts or review specific parts of a podcast episode.
Spotify says the transcription feature will roll out to users in the coming weeks.
Here are some of the potential benefits of Spotify’s new transcription feature:
- Increased accessibility: The transcription feature makes podcasts more accessible to the users who are deaf or hard of hearing, people who are learning a new language, and people who are multitasking while listening to podcasts.
- Improved comprehension: The transcription feature can help users to better understand podcasts by allowing them to read along with the audio. This could be especially helpful for people listening to podcasts in a language they are not fluent in or for people listening to podcasts about complex topics.
- Enhanced learning: The transcription feature can also be used to enhance learning. For example, students could use the transcription feature to take notes on podcasts about their coursework.
- Increased engagement: The transcription feature could also lead to increased podcast engagement. For example, users might be more likely to listen to longer podcasts or podcasts on more complex topics if they can read along with the audio.
How to try the new Spotify transcription feature?
To transcribe a podcast segment on Spotify:
On Web:
- Go to Episodes and select the specific episode that contains the segment you want to transcribe.
- Click on the video icon next to the segment.
- Once the transcription is generated, check it for accuracy. You can change the transcription on this screen.
- Click Save transcription.
On Mobile:
- Go to Your Podcast and tap the episode that contains the segment you want to transcribe.
- Tap the three dots next to the segment and then tap Create video.
- Once the transcription gets generated, tap Edit Video to check it for accuracy. You can make changes to the transcription on the screen.
- Tap Done to generate the video.
Spotify’s new transcription feature is a welcome addition to the platform. It will likely make podcasts more accessible, engaging, and informative for a broader range of users.