Important captions
Important captions: show the key points, not every word
By the Samsaam team · Updated
Traditional captioning puts every spoken word on screen. Important captions is a second mode in Samsaam: the AI reads the transcript, finds the ideas that matter and writes one short line of display copy for each — then animates it for as long as that idea is being spoken.
You can switch between full captions and important captions on the same project at any time. The two are stored separately, so neither overwrites the other.
Full captions vs important captions
| Full captions | Important captions | |
|---|---|---|
| What is shown | Every spoken word, line by line | One short line per key idea (up to about 42 characters) |
| Written by | The transcript, word for word | AI, summarising what was said into display copy |
| On screen | Continuously while someone speaks | For the span of each idea, with an in–hold–out animation |
| Best for | Accessibility, dense tutorials, sound-off viewing of every word | Talking-head content, B-roll heavy edits, cinematic or brand videos |
| Editable | Yes | Yes — text, timing and style |
How it works
- Samsaam transcribes the video as usual.
- The important-captions step reads the whole transcript and chooses the statements that carry the message.
- Each one becomes a short caption line in English or in the video’s own language — you choose when you regenerate.
- Each line enters with its template’s animation, holds while the idea is spoken, then exits — timing adapts to the length of the idea, and very short ideas simply cut.
- Edit the wording, drag the timing or regenerate.
When to use important captions
Talking-head explainers
Pull the three or four claims a viewer should remember to the front of the frame.
Visual-first videos
Keep the frame clean for footage and product shots while still telling the story.
Podcast clips
Headline the point of a long answer instead of filling the screen with transcript.
Brand and real-estate videos
Short, designed statements read as titles rather than subtitles.
Important captions are not a replacement for accessibility captions. If your audience relies on captions to follow every word, export full captions as well — both live in the same project.
Frequently asked questions
Is “important captions” the same as highlighting key words?
No. Keyword highlighting emphasises words inside a full caption. Important captions replaces the full transcript with a few short statements, each summarising an idea.
Does generating important captions cost extra?
It uses your plan’s monthly transcription minutes for the length of the video, the same as transcribing it. Regenerating uses them again.
Can I use my animated templates with important captions?
Yes. Important captions are rendered by the same templates and animations as full captions — see animated captions.
Caption your next video with Samsaam
Animated captions in minutes, starting on the free plan.