Getting found in other languages: translating titles and descriptions, video language and multi-language audio (November 2026)

Translated titles and descriptions can appear in the YouTube search results of viewers who speak that language, and the title and description show in the language the viewer uses. Poor translation looks awkward, so check it yourself or ask someone who knows the language to review. If you manage claimed content through a content manager, a CSV upload can localize titles and descriptions in bulk.

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio and choose Subtitles from the left menu.
2. Select the video. If you have not set its language, you will be asked to choose and confirm it.
3. Choose Add language and pick the target language.
4. Next to Title & description, click Add.
5. Enter the translated title and description and choose Publish.

The video language setting helps YouTube and volunteer contributors understand the original language, and it is used when adding subtitles. It also helps viewers find videos made in their own language. If the language is wrong, open the video under Content in Studio, choose More options and set the video, title and description language, then save.

One caveat: changing the original language means any subtitles translated afterward are based on the new language. Subtitles already published and ones you were writing are not affected, so check the original language before you start translating.

For multi-language audio YouTube recommends focusing on one or two languages, matching secondary tracks to the main-language translation as closely as possible, and tracking views and watch time by language in analytics. It also cites creators who uploaded multi-language audio seeing more than 25% of watch time in a language other than the video’s default. That is a result YouTube reports, not a guarantee for your channel.

• Auto dubbing: in Studio Settings, Channel, Advanced settings, you decide whether to allow it and can choose “Review dubs before publishing” to preview and approve a track before viewers can hear it.
• Multi-language audio: lets you upload audio tracks in several languages to one video or Short. It is available to creators who can use advanced features and does not create tracks for you, so you upload files you recorded. A secondary track may be removed if copyrighted content is detected that differs from the original audio.
• Localized thumbnails: for long-form videos you can upload a different thumbnail per language.

• Reaching a global audience with English Shorts

1. Check that the video language matches the language actually spoken.
2. Translate the title and description of a few well-performing videos first.
3. Translate subtitles too, so viewers with the sound off can follow.
4. If you see overseas interest, focus on one or two languages and consider dubbing.
5. Look at views and watch time per language in analytics and decide whether to continue.

Shortsmith lets you choose Korean or English narration, so you can post Shorts made in English from the start. However, Shortsmith’s upload sets the video language to Korean and does not take translated titles or descriptions. If you made an English video, check the video language in Studio after posting, and if you want translations aimed at overseas viewers, add them in Studio with the steps above.