November 2, 2026 · 5 min read
How to transcribe a podcast: accessibility and SEO
A podcast is audio, and audio can't be searched, quoted or read without headphones. A transcript turns it into text: more accessible, easier to quote and with more chances of being found on Google.
Why transcribe a podcast
Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can only follow an episode if there is text, and many people prefer to read or search for one topic. Text also gives search engines something to index: an episode with a transcript has more chances of showing up in searches about what is said in it, although nothing guarantees it.
How to transcribe it with AI
Upload the episode's audio (mp3 or m4a) to SwiftBOL in Work mode. In minutes you get the transcript with timestamps, organised into chapters by topic, and a summary with the key points. The chapters also help with your show notes.
What to check before publishing
Guests' names, brands, figures and technical terms. Go over passages with noise or overlapping voices too. You can remove filler words for a cleaner text, as long as the meaning of what was said doesn't change.
How to publish it
Put the transcript on the episode's page, below the player, with a clear title, a subheading per chapter and a three-line summary at the top. Reuse excerpts for articles, newsletters or social posts, always crediting the speaker.
Notices and limits
If you recorded with guests, let them know the episode will also be published as text. An automatic transcript can get names and uncommon terms wrong: review it. The Free plan includes 2 hours of audio a month, no card, to try it on one episode.
Try it with your own audio
SwiftBOL turns your meetings and calls into minutes with decisions and action items in minutes. The Free plan includes 120 minutes of audio a month, no credit card required.