One link, one recording
Use a direct link to a specific public video rather than a profile, homepage, channel, playlist or search page.
PUBLIC VIDEO LINK TRANSCRIPTION
Turn a public video link into searchable text.
Paste a concrete public video URL. Media2Text checks whether the page exposes a playable audio track, then creates a transcript with timestamps, speaker context and export options.
What this workflow gives you
Verify before processing
The link is checked for accessibility, title, duration and a playable audio track before a transcription task starts.
Review before reuse
Search and edit the transcript, verify names and figures against playback, then export text or timed subtitles.
How it works
- Paste a specific public URL. Use the page address for the individual video you are allowed to process.
- Let Media2Text verify access. The verifier checks whether the source is public, supported and currently playable.
- Transcribe and export. After processing, review the timestamped text and choose TXT, DOCX, PDF, CSV, SRT, VTT or another available format.
What public-link transcription can and cannot do
Public-link import is an access-dependent convenience, not a way around platform controls. Private videos, login-gated posts, live streams, playlists, region-restricted media and DRM-protected content are outside the supported workflow. A platform can also change its page or playback behavior after a link was previously accepted.
Transcription converts audible speech. It does not identify silent visual action, reproduce on-screen graphics or grant permission to reuse someone else’s recording. Confirm that you have the right to process the source and verify publication-critical passages before quoting or sharing them.
For a file you already own, direct upload is usually more predictable. Link import is most useful when a concrete public page exposes stable, playable media and downloading a local copy would add unnecessary work.
Questions and limits
Which platforms can I check?
Media2Text currently checks concrete public video links from YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and Vimeo. Support remains dependent on each platform’s public playback behavior.
Can it transcribe a private or login-only video?
No. The verifier rejects private, login-gated, region-restricted and DRM-protected media.
Does a successful check guarantee final extraction?
No. Public access can change between verification and processing, so a source may still fail later.
What should I do if a link is unavailable?
Upload a media file you are authorized to process, or choose another public source that exposes a playable audio track.
Related transcription tools
Supported platforms and what each link should look like
Public-link import is in Beta for concrete public media URLs from YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and Vimeo. The link must point to one specific video or post, not to a channel, profile, feed, search result or playlist. Platform-specific notes are on the YouTube to text, TikTok to text and Instagram Reels to text pages.
Links that are not supported
Live streams, private or login-gated media, members-only or subscriber content, region-restricted media and DRM-protected content cannot be imported. Paste the clean URL of the video page rather than a search or feed link.
Why a link is checked first
Each supported link is resolved and checked before a transcription task is created. This avoids starting a task for a page that has no usable media. A successful check does not guarantee final extraction, because a creator can delete a post, change its privacy or a platform can limit access between the check and extraction.
When to upload a file instead
Uploading a file is the most reliable route when a link fails, when the video is your own, or when you already have the original recording. The video to text workflow extracts audio in your browser, so the full video is not uploaded, and the audio to text workflow handles audio-only files. Files can be up to 6 GB.
What you can do with the transcript
The finished transcript has speaker-labelled segments, timestamps and synchronized playback. Export TXT, Markdown, DOCX, PDF, CSV, TSV, JSON, SRT or VTT. With an account you can generate AI summaries in General, Meeting, Course, Interview and Podcast styles, or a mind map with source references. You can also create a translated track that keeps the original timing. The result is based on speech; on-screen text, captions written by the creator and comments are not included.
Trial, minutes and plans
The free trial covers up to 2 lifetime transcription tasks sharing 75 minutes in total, needs no credit card and never resets. Paid plans provide unlimited uploads and are limited only by available transcription minutes. A step-by-step walkthrough is available in the public video transcription tutorial.
Use public media responsibly
Transcribing a public video for study, research, accessibility or commentary is common, but republishing another person's words in full may require permission. Follow each platform's terms and credit the original creator.