YouTube tests automatic translation of video titles on desktop and mobile

2021-05-06

As first reported by Android Police, some users have reported that the desktop and mobile versions of YouTube have begun showing options for automatic translation of titles. The videos spotted by users displays the titles, descriptions, and closed captions all translated automatically.

YouTube titles auto-translated into SpanishYouTube titles auto-translated into Spanish

Those users who submitted these screenshots to Android Police have so far only confirmed that auto translation on YouTube is being tested for users with their primary languages set to either Portuguese, Spanish, or Turkish. A video with translated titles shows a small translation icon that precedes the title.

YouTube Videos translated into Portuguese and TurkishYouTube Videos translated into Portuguese and Turkish
YouTube Videos translated into Portuguese and Turkish

The change appears to be happening on the server end, so updating the app likely won’t have an effect on enabling the auto-translate feature. Automatic translation of videos in English gives videos the potential to reach more audiences and opens accessibility for English videos to non-English speakers.

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