Apple podcasts automatically generate transcripts for podcasts starting today, thanks to update 17.4 for iPhones and iPads. Transcriptions will automatically appear for new podcast episodes shortly after they are published, while Apple will transcribe podcast catalogs over time.
Podcast transcripts are searchable, allowing users to type a specific word or phrase and jump to that part of an episode. Users can find transcripts of individual podcast episodes in the bottom left corner of the “Now Playing” screen.
After Spotify launched auto-generated transcripts last fall, it's no surprise that Apple wants its native podcast player to stay up to date on features.
While transcriptions are convenient for users (and non-negotiable for people who are deaf or hard of hearing), many podcasters are wary of errors that can occur with automated transcription tools. Apple seems to have prepared for this. Podcasters who don't want to use Apple's automatic transcription can choose to upload your own transcripts via RSS tags or in Apple Podcasts Connect for premium episodes, or they can download and edit the Apple transcript before uploading it again.
Transcripts will be available for Apple Podcasts in over 170 countries, written in English, French, German, and Spanish, but will not translate podcast transcripts from one language to another.
