How to Add Timestamps to YouTube Videos in Just 5 Minutes

Create YouTube Timestamps in Just 5 Minutes – A Quick & Easy Guide

Timestamps not only improve the viewing experience for your audience but also boost your video’s SEO performance. However, let’s be honest—no one wants to manually watch an entire video just to create them 🥺. That’s why we’ve prepared a simple step-by-step guide from the SubSub team to save you time. Plus, each step includes an image for clarity!

‍

Step 1: Copy Your Video Link

Step 2: Use TurboScribe

Go to TurboScribe, an online tool for automatic transcription (it offers both free and paid versions). Paste your video link into the designated field.

Choose a transcription mode:

• Cheetah – Fast but general.
• Dolphin – Balanced.
• Whale – Highly detailed and precise.

‍

Step 3: Export the Timestamps

Export a .docx file with timestamps. Make sure to check the box labeled “Include section timestamps”—otherwise, the timestamps won’t be added!

‍

Step 4: Use ChatGPT to Generate Optimized Timestamps

Send a request to ChatGPT with the following prompt:

Prompt: “Hey! I need to create a description and timestamps for my YouTube video. I’ll provide you with a transcript that includes timestamps. Please generate a short video description and structured timestamps while considering popular search queries on YouTube. Can you help?”

Then, paste the transcript from your exported document into ChatGPT.

‍

Step 5: Insert GPT’s Response Into Your Video

Once ChatGPT generates the description and timestamps, simply copy and paste them into your YouTube video description.

Bonus Tip: Use Markers During Editing

If you’re editing your video manually, consider using markers to highlight key topic changes or important moments. Label them with short descriptions like “Interview Begins” or “Final Thoughts”. Most video editors allow you to export these markers as a text file, making it easy to use them as timestamps when publishing your video. This method also helps you navigate your content quickly—even days after editing! With these simple steps, you can generate timestamps in minutes and make your videos more user-friendly and searchable. Try it out!

Try SubBox for Smarter Video Management

Looking for an even better way to manage and optimize your YouTube content? Check out SubBox - your all-in-one YouTube analytics solution, delivering a 360° perspective to outsmart the competition and grow smarter.

Check it out