Google Meet Transcription 101: Everything You Need To Know

Option #1:  Use the Google Meet Transcription Feature

If you’re hosting or co-hosting a Google Meet, you can quickly generate an automated transcription from within the meeting—if you have a paid account. And you speak English. If you don’t have a paid account or your session is in another language besides English, skip ahead to option #2.

1.    Join or Start a Meeting

To use Google’s transcription feature, you will need to log in from a laptop or computer. Log into your Google account and start or join a Google Meet meeting. 

2.    Turn on Transcripts

Navigate to the “Activities” menu on the bottom right. This panel will show any features and third-party add-ons you have downloaded. Choose “Transcripts,” then “Start Transcription.”

You can even use the Google meet captions transcript feature to see your transcription in real time:

• Click on the “Settings” gear icon in the top right corner of the screen > “Turn on captions” from the menu.
• Choose your preferred language for captions > click “Done” to save your settings.
• During the meeting, click the “CC” button in the bottom right corner of the screen to display the captions.
• To customize your transcription settings, click on the three-dot menu in the upper right corner of the screen during the meeting and select “Settings.”

3.   Share Transcripts

Users will see a note in red that alerts them the call is being transcribed. A copy of the transcript will automatically be sent to meeting hosts, co-hosts, and/or the user that turned on Transcripts. You can also send the transcript by accessing it within your Google Drive and sharing the file.

4.   Save Transcripts.

Transcripts will save automatically in the meeting host’s Google Drive for 3 months. To keep a file, move it to a new folder in your Drive.

Tip: To create separate Transcript files, you can stop and start the transcription. Each will be saved separately in your Google Drive.

Troubleshooting Tips For Google Meet Transcription

• Transcripts Not Available on Google Meet – If you click on the Activities menu and do not see the option to turn on Transcripts, you likely do not have the feature with your current account. In this case, you can either upgrade or move on to option #2.
• Inaccurate Transcriptions – Use a high-quality microphone and reduce background noise. Aim to speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Note that the automatic transcription may not accurately transcribe heavy accents. Consider using a human transcription service instead of AI if accuracy is essential.
• Can’t Pause Transcription – It’s not possible to pause Google Meet Transcripts. However, you can stop and start them in the same meeting. This will create a new file.

Option #2:  Get Google Meet Transcripts With SpeakWrite

If the automatic transcriptions offered by Google Meet aren’t sufficient, consider using a third-party transcription service like Speakwrite. Speakwrite offers comprehensive, fully-human transcription for virtual meetings.

All you need to do is hit “record” and upload your file to the website.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use Speakwrite to generate a Google Meet recording transcript.

1.    Record the Google Meet Session

First, you’ll need to record the meeting you want to transcribe. Within Google Meet, you can use the record feature (available to certain account levels) to create a video file of your meeting.

2.    Sign Up for Speakwrite

If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to sign up for Speakwrite. They offer different plans based on your needs, so choose the one that best fits your requirements.

3.    Upload the Recording

Once you have an account, log in to Speakwrite’s platform, where you can upload audio or video files. Locate the Google Meet recording on your computer (typically saved in your Google Drive) and upload it to Speakwrite.

4.    Submit Transcription

Once you’ve uploaded the file and chosen your preferences, submit the recording for transcription. Speakwrite uses a combination of technology and human transcriptionists, so the time for transcription may vary.

5.    Download the Transcript

You will receive an email when your Google Meet recording transcript is ready. This typically occurs within 3 hours.

Benefits Of Using Speakwrite For Google Meet Transcription

Enhanced Accuracy

Speakwrite’s use of fully-human transcriptionists sets it apart from automatic transcription services. While automatic transcriptions may struggle with capturing nuances, industry-specific terminology, and complex language, human transcriptionists are able to understand and accurately transcribe these elements.

Enhanced accuracy is particularly valuable for industries where precision and context matter, such as legal, medical, technical, and business fields.

Plus, nuances in speech, tone, and specialized terminology are less likely to be misinterpreted by humans compared to automated algorithms, resulting in more reliable transcripts that accurately reflect the original conversation.

Smart Transcription

Human transcriptionists offer the advantage of transcribing spoken words and improving the transcript’s quality. They can remove filler words, correct grammar and spelling errors, and address other distracting mistakes that might occur during speech.

While automated systems might struggle with identifying and fixing these nuances, human transcriptionists can ensure that the final transcript is polished and free from unnecessary clutter, making it more valuable for documentation and analysis purposes.

Custom Formatting

Different industries and professions often require specific formatting for their transcripts. Speakwrite’s human transcriptionists are well-versed in various types of transcription and can tailor the formatting to suit the needs of legal professionals, law enforcement officers, and other specialized fields.

Customized formatting ensures that the transcript aligns with the industry’s standards, making it easier to integrate the transcription into existing workflows, reports, and documentation processes.

Multi-Language Support

Unlike automated transcription services that might struggle with different accents, dialects, or languages, Speakwrite’s human transcriptionists can accurately transcribe conversations in any dialect of English or Spanish.

Speakwrite’s ability to translate transcriptions means that language barriers can be overcome, allowing teams to communicate effectively even if they speak different languages.

Security

Speakwrite prioritizes the security of sensitive information. Our U.S.-based servers located in state-of-the-art data centers ensure data integrity and protection. This is particularly crucial for industries like law enforcement and legal professionals dealing with sensitive and confidential information.

CJIS compliance indicates that Speakwrite adheres to the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security standards, which are essential for maintaining the security of law enforcement data. Our commitment to security helps organizations trust that their data is being handled in a safe and compliant manner, further reinforcing the reliability and professionalism of Speakwrite’s transcription service.

Option #3:  Other Automated Transcription Services

While Google Meet’s integrated transcription feature and Speakwrite’s human transcription service offer compelling options, there are other automated transcription services available as well.

These services utilize advanced speech recognition technology to convert spoken words into text, providing a cost-effective, time-saving solution for generating transcriptions.

Here are a few popular automated transcription services to consider:

Rev

Rev is a widely recognized automated transcription service that offers fast and accurate transcriptions. Their system is designed to handle a range of audio quality levels, making it suitable for various scenarios such as interviews, conferences, and meetings. Users can simply upload their audio or video files, and Rev’s algorithms will generate a transcript that can be edited as needed.

Otter.ai

Otter.ai is an AI-powered transcription service that excels at real-time transcription during live events. It’s handy for taking notes during meetings and conferences. Otter.ai offers integrations with popular communication platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, making it seamless to generate transcriptions while conducting virtual meetings.

Temi

Temi is another automated transcription service that balances accuracy and affordability. It’s suitable for a wide range of applications, from academic research to business meetings. Users can upload audio or video files, and Temi’s algorithms will quickly generate a transcript that can be easily reviewed and shared.

IBM Watson Speech to Text

IBM’s Speech to Text service utilizes advanced AI and machine learning technologies to transcribe audio content accurately. It’s a versatile solution that can be integrated into various applications, such as transcription software, customer service automation, and more.

Option #4:  Manual Transcription (DIY Approach)

To transcribe a recording yourself:

1. Record the virtual meeting using built-in recording features or screen recording software.
2. Play back the recording and transcribe the spoken content manually.
3. Use word processing software or transcription tools to type out the spoken words.
4. Proofread and edit the transcript for accuracy.
5. Save and share the transcript as required.