A sound-off viewer should still understand the offer, proof, and next step. Captions are part of the message design, not an afterthought added after the edit is locked.
Run a silent comprehension check
Watch the video muted on a phone. At each beat, ask: can the viewer identify the problem, understand what is being demonstrated, and read the action before the shot changes? If voice-over carries essential information, add accurate captions or move the information into the visual.
For Arabic and bilingual video, check shaping, right-to-left order, line breaks, contrast, and text safe areas. Do not place a price, disclaimer, or call to action under interface controls. Avoid captions that cover the product demonstration or flash too quickly to read. Include meaningful sound cues only when they add context; do not rely on color alone to show a state change.
Example acceptance checklist
- The first screen states or shows the subject without audio.
- Captions match the spoken words and are proofread in the target register.
- Each frame has one reading priority.
- Price, eligibility, and next action remain visible long enough to understand.
- The final action label matches the destination button or page.
Have someone who did not edit the video summarize it after a silent view. If their summary misses a limitation or the next step, revise the visual hierarchy rather than adding more tiny text.
Optional AI-assisted work brief — Sound-off comprehension check
Review each beat of this video with narration removed. Identify information that disappears, add concise on-screen wording, ensure captions match speech, and check contrast, safe-area placement, and reading time. Do not duplicate every spoken sentence if it overwhelms the screen; preserve the essential claim, proof, and next action.
Worked example — Test one clip without sound
Watch the edit on mute and write down what the viewer understands about the problem, proof, and action. If any essential point disappears, add a short caption at the moment it matters rather than a dense paragraph at the start. Then turn sound back on to check the captions do not contradict speech or cover the evidence.
AI disclosure: AI tools assisted with drafting. This is an accessibility review method, not a claim of compliance certification.