Good captions do more than repeat a voiceover. They keep the viewer oriented, explain why a step matters, and make a product lesson useful when sound is unavailable.
Write for a quick glance
Keep each caption focused on one idea. Use short phrases that can be read while the interface is still moving, and place the most useful words first so the viewer understands the action immediately.
Add context the interface cannot show
A button label tells people what to click. A teaching caption can explain when to use it, what changes next, or why one option fits the task. That extra context turns a recording into a lesson.
Keep captions close to the action
Place text near the control or result it describes without covering important interface details. A consistent position and restrained animation help the viewer connect the explanation to the product.
Review the lesson without sound
Play the finished tutorial muted. If the task, decisions, and outcome still make sense, the captions are doing their job. If a step becomes unclear, add the smallest explanation needed and review it again.