production Factor

Text Overlays

Whether the video uses on-screen text overlays beyond just captions — lower thirds, pull quotes, labels, or graphics with text. These are deliberate production choices, not auto-captions.

Text overlays serve multiple functions: they reinforce key points for viewers with audio off (Shorts feed is largely sound-off), they emphasize specific moments, and they add production polish. On YouTube, text overlays are a strong signal that the video was edited with care.

Effect on views

+0%

trend only

When present

The video has deliberate on-screen text overlays — lower thirds, callouts, emphasis graphics, or labels — beyond just captions.

Videos with this factor

Accountability for ICE? Elissa Slotkin

475K views

If Trump were purposefully doing Russia’s bidding... Sheldon Whitehouse

17K views

Protecting our kids is too important to cut corners Diana DeGette

5K views

Did you see Ilana's story on the Pitt? Patty Murray

2K views

Trump: "We have enough nuclear weapons to blow up the world 150 times." Patty Murray

1K views

When absent

The video has no added text overlays. Any text on screen is just YouTube's auto-captions or original content.

Videos without this factor

While Americans are hurting, the Mar-a-Lago mafia are finding ways to profit. Jon Ossoff

612K views

Trump is spending more on war than fixing infrastructure on our public lands James McGovern

20K views

Another shameful vote from Republicans to send your tax dollars to these criminals. Chris Van Hollen

4K views

Rep. Ilhan Omar | March 2026 Town Hall Ilhan Omar

2K views

$12 Billion in Specialty Aid to Farmers Mike Thompson

1K views