It’s disappointing that Spotify, one of the largest podcasting platforms, still doesn’t offer transcripts for all podcasts. However, transcripts are a great help for both listeners and creators. They help the creator make the podcasts more accessible and help listeners catch the details they might have missed.
Well, The good news is that there are various methods for getting a transcript, and we’re here to guide you through them. This article will show 3 simple ways to get the Spotify podcast transcripts. First, use the Spotify App (applicable only for podcasts with transcripts), then tools like TubeOnAI, and last, manual transcription methods for your convenience.
But before moving on to the methods, let’s understand why you need them.
Why Do You Need to Transcribe Spotify Podcast
Transcribing a Spotify podcast isn’t just about converting speech into text. Whether you’re a creator looking to grow and reach more audiences or a listener looking for an easier way to consume podcast content, transcriptions offer undeniable advantages.
It helps listeners revisit key points and saves research and reference time.
Sometimes, listeners want to go back and review something they heard in a podcast, like a quote, a statistic, or a key takeaway. Transcripts are valuable resources for students, professionals, and researchers. They allow them to cite information without replaying the entire podcast, which is especially useful for educational or data-driven podcasts.
Improves accessibility
Transcripts can benefit deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and those who prefer reading to listening. They make your podcast inclusive and ensure a wider audience can engage with your content.
Moreover, Transcripts can be translated into different languages, making it easier for non-native speakers to engage with your podcast. This expands your audience beyond any specific language-speaking listeners.
Enhances SEO and Discoverability
Search engines can’t crawl audio content but can index text-based transcripts. Adding a transcript to your website or show notes increases your chances of appearing in search results, significantly increasing organic traffic to your podcast.
3 Ways to Get Transcripts of A Spotify Podcast
There are many ways to get a podcast transcript. Among all those methods, here are 3 simple ways, each with pros and cons.
- Spotify’s Built-in Transcripts: Some podcasts have automated transcripts in the Now Playing section. It’s free and easy to use. However, this feature is not available for all episodes.
- Using TubeOnAI: This AI-powered tool automatically transcribes podcasts. It’s fast, convenient, and cost-effective but may contain minor inaccuracies.
- Manual Transcription: If no automated transcript is available and you don’t wish to use any tools, you can transcribe the podcast yourself or use a professional transcription service. This is the most accurate method, but it is time-consuming and costly.
Each method has pros and cons, so choose the one that best fits your needs. Let’s learn these methods in detail.
Method 1: Getting Podcast Transcript From Spotify App
As we said earlier, Spotify provides automated transcripts for some podcasts, making it easier for listeners to read along or revisit key moments. However, this feature is not available for all episodes. Follow the steps below to check if a transcript is available for your listening episode.
Viewing Transcripts on the Spotify Mobile App
If a transcript is available for your podcast episode, you can view it directly in the Now Playing section. Here’s how:
- Open the Spotify app and start playing a podcast episode.
- Scroll down in the Now Playing view or the episode page.
- If a transcript is available, you’ll see it appear. Tap it to expand and follow along as the podcast plays. If you don’t see a transcript, Spotify hasn’t yet provided one for this episode.
You can share a snippet of the transcript on social media. To do so, tap the share icon, highlight the text you want to share, and follow the prompts for your preferred platform.
Viewing Transcripts on the Spotify Desktop App
If you’re using Spotify on your computer, you can check for a transcript in the Now Playing section on the sidebar.
- Open Spotify on your desktop and start playing the episode.
- Click on the Now Playing view in the bottom-right corner.
- Look at the sidebar on the right; if a transcript is available, it will appear there.
- Scroll down to view the full text.
If a transcript isn’t available, you can try other methods like TubeOnAI or manual transcription.
Method 2: Getting Podcast Transcript using TubeOnAI
The best method of getting a podcast transcript is using TubeOnAI. If you need an accurate, quick, and affordable way to transcribe podcasts, TubeOnAI is a solid choice. Don’t think we are just promoting our product; you will feel the same once you try this method. All you need is a TubeOnAi account, and then follow these 4 simple steps.
Step 1: Log in to your TubeOnAi account
Visit the TubeOnAI website and log in using your credentials. If you don’t have an account yet, sign up now. It’s FREE and only takes a few minutes.
Step 2: Search for your desired podcast episode
Once logged in, use the search bar to look for the podcast episode you want transcribed. Enter the podcast title, episode name, or relevant keywords to find the correct episode.
Step 3: Select the podcast and click “Summarize”
Once you have found your desired podcast episode, please select it from the search results. You’ll see an option to “Summarize” the episode (as shown in the image). Click that button, and AI will begin processing the audio and generating a transcription and summary.
Step 4: Select view transcription from the 3 dot menu
Once the summary is generated, click the three-dot menu (⋮) next to the episode. Select “View Transcription” to access the full transcript. Your Spotify podcast transcripts download is ready. Review the transcript for minor errors, and you’re good to go! You can now copy, save, or edit the transcript as needed.
Method 3: Getting Podcast Transcript Manually!
The next method we will explain is manual transcription. It is easy to explain how to do it but difficult to execute in practice. You can do it yourself with prior experience and practice or hire a human transcriber for professional output.
You only need to listen to the podcast slowly and write the transcript. Spotify allows you to up to 0.5x times slower speed while playing the podcast. Even at that slower speed, you may need to pause the podcast frequently to align your writing with the podcast. After writing the transcript, you must review and edit it.
Usually, manually made-transcriptions are better structured and more accurate than machine-made results. However, the process is time-consuming and complex, making it an expensive option.
Shortcut tips: To speed up the process, you can use Google Docs’ voice typing feature. Enable the feature and play the podcast loudly and clearly near your microphone. It will do the typing for you. You only need to review the document and make it usable.
How to Make a Transcript of a Spotify Podcast
We have been discussing how to get a transcript from the podcast. However, you must create the transcript yourself if you are the creator. In that case, you can follow the manual process or use TubeOnAI. It’s the best free Spotify podcast transcript generator.
To make a transcript of a Spotify podcast using TubeOnAI, you need to upload the podcast file instead of searching it on the platform. You can upload your podcast on it by simply clicking the attachment button (as shown in the image). The rest of the process remains the same.
- Log in to your TubeOnAI account.
- Navigate to the Search section.
- Click on the Attachment icon. Choose the file from your device (maximum file size: 100MB).
- Once the upload process is finished, Click Summarize and let TubeOnAI handle the rest.
Now, you have your transcript. Review and edit it to improve (if necessary), then add it to your podcast.
Here’s how you can add the transcript to your Spotify podcast:
- Log in to Spotify for Podcasters account, and select the episode from the episode menu on the left-hand menu
- Find the episode to which you want to add a transcript and click “Edit” or “Details” (depending on the version you’re using).
- Scroll down to the “Episode Description” or “Show Notes” section and paste the transcript here.
- Finally, double-check the formatting and ensure the transcript is correctly displayed. Click “Save” or “Update” to publish the changes.
Once saved, listeners can access your transcript in the episode’s description on Spotify.
Best Practices to Follow While Transcribing Spotify Podcasts
Now that you know how to get podcast transcripts and add them to your episodes, ensuring they are accurate and well-structured is important. A good transcript enhances accessibility, improves SEO, and provides a better user experience.
However, transcribing a podcast requires accuracy, clarity, and efficiency. To help you get the best results, here are some expert tips to follow and common mistakes to avoid:
| Best Practices | Mistakes to Avoid |
| Proper punctuation makes transcripts easier to read. If multiple people speak, label them correctly to avoid confusion. | Not identifying speakers |
| AI transcription tools can save time but always proofread for accuracy. | Skipping proofreading |
| Clarify unclear phrases, background sounds, or audience reactions in brackets. | Overloading with filler words |
| Use paragraphs, speaker labels, and timestamps if needed. | |
| Use keywords naturally if publishing transcripts online for better discoverability. |
FAQs
How do I download a Spotify podcast transcript?
Spotify does not offer a universal download option for podcast transcripts. If a podcast provides a transcript, it may be available in the show notes or on the creator’s website. AI tools like TubeOnAI or manual transcription services can generate podcasts without transcripts.
Do podcasts have subtitles on Spotify?
No, Spotify does not provide podcast subtitles. However, some podcast creators include transcripts in episode descriptions or on external platforms.
Are there transcripts for Spotify podcasts on Reddit?
There is no official or consistent source, though some users share podcast summaries or transcripts on Reddit. The best options are AI tools or manual transcription.
How accurate are automatic transcription services like TubeOnAI?
AI transcription services like TubeOnAI are generally accurate, with an error margin of around 5-10%. Accuracy depends on audio quality, speaker clarity, and background noise. Some of the transcripts may need manual review for perfection.
How long does it take to get a podcast transcribed?
Using AI tools like TubeOnAi, you can generate transcripts in minutes. Manual transcription, on the other hand, can take several hours to a few days, depending on length, complexity, and expertise.
Is it necessary to transcribe Spotify podcasts?
Yes. Transcription improves accessibility, SEO, and audience engagement. It also helps non-native speakers, people who are hard of hearing, and listeners who prefer reading.
