YouTube launches multilingual audio feature for creators

YouTube has officially announced the rollout of its multilingual audio functionality. Over the coming weeks, millions of creators will be able to add multiple audio tracks to their videos so that global audiences can enjoy content in their own languages.

According to the platform’s blog, this update comes after a two-year pilot program, where a small group of channels could upload their own dubbed tracks. During the test period, 25% of total watch time on videos with multilingual audio came from languages other than the original.

This means that when a creator in the US uploads a new video, a viewer in South Korea, Brazil, or India can instantly watch it with audio in their native language. The company is also testing multilingual thumbnails, allowing creators to customize previews for different regions.

Global examples of success

Jamie Oliver’s channel tripled its view count thanks to multilingual dubbing. MrBeast and Mark Rober are now reaching tens of millions of new viewers worldwide. Rober, for instance, adds an average of 30 audio tracks per video so fans from Seoul to São Paulo receive new content at the same time. Chef Nick DiGiovanni, another pilot participant, reports dramatic audience growth with Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Russian, and Arabic translations.