Podcast Captions for Instagram Reels
Podcast captions for Instagram Reels: upload your episode clip, get word‑by‑word animated captions, and place them above Instagram's bottom text so the hook stays clear.
Create an account to generate and export your captions.
The hook matters when sound is low
A Reel often plays with the sound off. Your opening question or bold statement must be readable in the first few seconds. Sycamore transcribes the audio word by word, so the hook appears as animated captions right away.
If you let the captions sit at the bottom they clash with Instagram's own text and the like button. Moving them up keeps the hook visible and the UI clear.
Common caption oversights for podcasts
Putting captions at the bottom where Instagram's caption field sits.
Select the top position so the text stays above the UI.
Using a single long line that scrolls off screen during a dialogue.
Lower words per line; each speaker’s line should fit in a quick glance.
Choosing a color that blends with the podcast cover art.
Pick a highlight color that contrasts with the background and Instagram’s UI.
Styles that fit podcast clips
Mozi
Beast
Highlight Words
Word Pop
Add captions to a Reel in four steps
Upload your clip
Drop an MP4, MOV or WebM of the episode segment. Sycamore will transcribe the speech with word‑level timing.
Choose a style and position
Pick one of the caption templates and set the position to top so Instagram’s bottom text stays clear.
Edit any misheard words
Click a word in the transcript, type the correct spelling, and the timing stays intact.
Export and post
Export the MP4 with burned‑in captions and upload it to Instagram Reels as you would any video.
Calculate speaking time for a Reel
Use the Speaking Time Calculator to see how long your clip will run with captions, so you stay under Instagram's 60‑second limit.
Final Reel checklist
- Captions sit at the top, clear of Instagram's UI
- Both speakers' names are spelled correctly
- Hook appears within the first three seconds
- Colors contrast with the background and UI
- Video length is under 60 seconds
- Exported file is MP4 and includes burned‑in captions
Caption your next podcast clip
Frequently
Asked Questions
How do I add captions to a podcast clip for Instagram Reels?
Upload the clip to Sycamore, pick a caption template, set the position to top, edit any errors, then export the MP4 and post it to Reels.
Can I keep the hook visible when Instagram adds its own text at the bottom?
Yes. Choose the top position for captions so they appear above Instagram's UI and the hook stays readable.
What if the transcription gets a speaker’s name wrong?
Click the mis‑heard word in the transcript and type the correct spelling. The timing remains unchanged.
Does Sycamore work with two‑speaker audio?
It transcribes any English speech, so both speakers appear in the caption stream. You can edit each line separately if needed.
What video formats does Sycamore accept for Reels?
MP4, MOV and WebM are supported. Upload one of those and Sycamore will handle 9:16, 16:9 or 1:1 output.