[FAQ]

Hi,

Following some recent discussions about transcripts, I’ve been thinking about this a lot. The arguments for SEO and accessibility make perfect sense for interview or educational shows.

But does this advice really apply to every type of podcast? For example, what about highly produced audio dramas or fiction podcasts where the sound design is just as important as the dialogue? Or what about a music commentary show where a text version would miss all the context?

It feels like in some cases, a transcript might not capture the full experience. I’m just trying to understand if this is a universal best practice or if there are exceptions to the rule.

What do you all think?

[Jeff Bullas]

A good follow-up question that gets into strategic priorities.

Short Answer: While transcripts are strategically beneficial for almost every podcast, their level of priority can depend on the show’s primary goals and content format.

The question isn’t just “if,” but also “to what extent” and “when” you should implement them.

For information-driven formats like news, interviews, or educational shows, a transcript is a non-negotiable, top-priority asset because of its immense value for both SEO and direct accessibility. For more experiential formats, such as audio dramas or sound-rich storytelling, the strategic calculation shifts slightly. While the SEO benefit may be less direct, the accessibility benefit remains just as critical, ensuring your work is open to the d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. A creator of an audio drama might prioritise sound design in their initial budget, but a transcript should still be a high-priority goal on their production roadmap. Dismissing transcripts entirely because your show is an ‘audio experience’ is a missed opportunity to grow your audience and a failure to serve listeners with accessibility needs.

Cheers,
Jeff

[Author]

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