Facebook Is Making Subtitle Moves

A few weeks ago in class someone mentioned that Facebook videos are starting to have subtitles for viewers who have not actively clicked on the video, but are still scrolling through it. At the time, I hadn't noticed this change myself so I didn't think anything of this comment. It wasn’t until the other day, when I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, that I realized all of the videos contained subtitles even though I hadn't clicked on any of them. At first I thought to myself that this was going to make using my phone in classes much more entertaining, but then I started to inquire about what initiated the implementation of these subtitles. From which, I came up with two possible answers:

1. Facebook wanted its consumers to have the ability to use its app at all times: 

What solely digital based company doesn't want its consumers to be able to use its services 27/4? Well, I will tell you the answer to that question does not exist. Facebook, along with Snapchat and Instagram are the leading Social Media sites in the world. Each of which, has developed its own way to allow consumers to be in constant contact with its app. For example, Snapchat and Instagram both allow you to view videos, while keeping your phone on silent. This in turn eliminates any negative social stigma that could be associated with playing said videos in public. Facebook too had this feature in the past, but has now revolutionized it to the level of being able to watch and fully comprehend all videos. By eliminating the need for sound to understand a video posted on one’s newsfeed, Facebook has essentially given consumers a rite of passage to use its app/website at all times of the day.

2. The businesses creating the videos wanted to capture a larger audience: 

Another answer as to why the subtitles implemented relates to the businesses themselves that create the videos being posted. Businesses could also be the cause of this by implementing in subtitles while editing the videos. By having subtitles play, whether or not the video is clicked on, a business can capture the attention of consumers because of the movement of words occurring. When people see words moving they automatically start to read them, whether they are completely aware of it or not. Therefore, implementing the use of subtitles has given the businesses that create online videos the ability to draw in consumers at a higher and more effective rate.

Both of these answers are the possible driving factors that contributed to this adaptation of Facebook videos. In addition, after fully analyzing these two factors, I am now very curious to see if Snapchat or Instagram follows in Facebook's footsteps. So, try to keep an eye out for what could be changing right in the palm of your hand!