TikTok has introduced new caption and translation tools to reduce the language barrier to help bring global content to more users.
These updates will support an initial batch of languages, including English, Portuguese, German, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish and Turkish.
In 2021, TikTok launched captions so that creators around the world could transcribe their own videos to generate subtitles that make content more accessible to everyone.
The new updates include:
Auto-generated captions: With auto-generated captions, in addition to creators, viewers can now have the option to turn on closed captions for videos, helping make entertaining content more accessible.
Translations for captions and video descriptions: With translations for captions and descriptions, TikTok wants to help users enjoy videos beyond the original language.
Translation for text stickers: TikTok is also bringing translation to text stickers in videos so people don’t miss out on any entertaining content.
Through these efforts, TikTok hopes global content will become more accessible regardless of the language(s) users speak. The video platform is in the early stages of rolling out these translation tools, which are available on select videos at this time.
Earlier this month, Brett Armstrong, TikTok’s Global Business Solutions general manager, spoke to Mediaweek about how the platform is a source for trends, growth and community engagement, as well as the platform’s plans for the year ahead.
The Global Business Solutions general manager said that entertainment commerce would continue to evolve with live experiences that embrace users’ appetite for entertainment and new ways to discover and shop.
“As we see brands bringing joyful entertainment to the table, TikTok will continue providing solutions that help them convert interest into real-life actions,” he said.
Armstrong also said that TikTok would also continue to prioritise safety on the platform, as well as solutions for brands, transparency, and partnerships to bolster safety on the platform for creative expression
“We believe that by prioritising the safety of our creators and community, we, in turn, create a positive environment for brands,” he added.