I think about this a lot, especially given that I have provided transcripts, one way or another, on my past and my current podcasts.
Let’s be honest. I don’t think that most podcasts that skip transcripts are not making a statement. They are just trying to get an episode out the door without adding one more thing to the list. Or perhaps they feel they don’t have the resources, which are getting easier by the way. I get that.
Podcasting already comes with plenty of steps. Record. Edit. Write show notes. Upload. Promote. Stare at your analytics and wonder if anyone is listening. By the time transcripts come up, the energy is gone and the publish button is yelling at you.
There is also some lingering baggage from the early days. Transcription used to be slow, expensive, and full of errors. Even though tools are far better now, many podcasters still assume transcripts are a hassle because they once were.
Accessibility often gets left out of the conversation. Not intentionally, but quietly. Transcripts are sometimes treated as a nice extra instead of a basic way to include Deaf and hard-of-hearing listeners, non-native speakers, and people who simply prefer reading to listening.
Then there is the return on investment question. Transcripts rarely cause an instant spike in downloads. Their value shows up gradually through search, sharing, and reuse. So it makes transcripts easy to postpone, which often turns into never.
Some platforms do not help much either. Most podcast apps still treat audio as audio-only. When transcripts are hidden, optional, or ignored, creators follow the lead.
There is also a subtle fear factor. Spoken conversations are messy. We repeat ourselves. We wander. Seeing that in text can feel uncomfortable, even though readers are far more forgiving than we imagine.
Now for the part podcasters usually realize later.
Transcripts quietly make a podcast better in almost every way that matters long term.
They widen the door. More people can engage with your content in the way that works best for them, even if they never read the full transcript.
They improve discoverability. Search engines cannot listen, but they are very good at reading. A transcript turns each episode into something that can actually be found.
They make repurposing easier. Blog posts, newsletters, quotes, summaries, and social posts all start with text. A transcript saves you from reinventing the wheel every time.
They support how people actually consume content. Many listeners like to skim before committing to a full episode. Some come back later to reread a specific section. Transcripts make that possible.
They age well. An episode with a transcript stays useful long after it drops out of the podcast feed. Without one, it slowly fades into the digital void where old episodes go to nap.
And maybe most importantly, transcripts signal care. They say you thought about different ways people access and use content. That message lands even when it is never spoken out loud.
Skipping transcripts is understandable. Adding them is powerful. One of those things feels easier today. The other pays off for years.
If you are building a podcast for the long haul, transcripts are not extra work. They are part of the foundation.
In the end, you could have fun creating a episode like this one I did over on Open Channels FM. Eight Years and 1.53 Million Seconds Later
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