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Link to text

Link to Text: Transcribe Audio or Video from a URL

Skip the downloading and re-uploading. Paste a public link to a YouTube video, an audio file or a video file, and HeyScribe fetches it and transcribes it for you.

Transcribe a link See how it works
  • Included in Pro
  • No download needed
  • Works in your browser

How to transcribe a link

  1. Paste the link

    Open Import link, paste the URL and press Import. HeyScribe checks it and shows the title and length.

  2. Choose your settings

    Pick a language or leave auto-detect on, and decide whether to detect speakers.

  3. Press Transcribe

    The transcript appears in your library with timestamps. Copy it, summarize it or export it.

Transcribe straight from the web

Public YouTube links

Paste a watch, share or Shorts link from a public video. Included in Pro.

Audio file URLs

Link directly to an MP3, M4A or WAV file hosted anywhere public.

Video file URLs

Link directly to an MP4 or MOV file on a public server.

Checked before you spend minutes

HeyScribe confirms the link works and shows the length first.

Speakers and timestamps

The same labelled, timestamped transcript as uploaded files.

90+ languages

Auto-detect the language or choose it yourself.

What kind of link works

The link has to be reachable by anyone, with no sign-in. Here is what to expect.

Link typeWorks?Notes
Public YouTube videoYesWatch, youtu.be and Shorts links. Private and members-only videos do not work.
Direct link to an MP3, M4A, WAV, MP4 or MOVYesThe URL should open the file itself. If your browser plays it, it will usually work.
Public file in cloud storageOftenUse the direct or “anyone with the link” download URL, not the preview page.
Pages that need you to sign inNoDownload the file and use Upload file instead.
DRM-protected streaming servicesNoProtected content cannot be transcribed.

When link to text is the right tool

Uploading means downloading first, then waiting for the upload. If the recording is already online, link to text skips both steps. It is the fastest route for podcast episodes, public talks, webinars and anything you or your team already host.

Troubleshooting a link that will not import

  • Open it in a private window. If it asks you to sign in there, HeyScribe cannot reach it either.
  • Use the direct file URL. It usually ends in .mp3 or .mp4. A web page that contains a player is not enough.
  • Check that the video is public. Unlisted is fine on YouTube; private is not.
  • Fall back to a file. Download the media and use Upload file, which works for anything you have on your computer.

Respect the content

Only transcribe content you own, have permission to use, or are allowed to use under the law where you live. Transcripts of other people’s videos are for your own study and research unless you have permission to share them.

For more on YouTube, see YouTube to text.

Good uses for link to text

Podcast episodes

Paste an episode URL, get show notes.

Public lectures and talks

Make a talk searchable for study.

Your own hosted videos

Transcribe videos your team already hosts online.

Webinar replays

Turn replay links into written follow-ups.

Research

Quote and cite public interviews accurately.

Foreign-language media

Get the text first, then translate it.

Frequently asked questions

What is link to text?
It is transcription from a URL. Instead of uploading a file, you paste a link and HeyScribe fetches the audio or video and transcribes it.
Do I need to download the video first?
No. That is the point. Paste the link and HeyScribe does the rest.
Why does my link say it is not supported?
The link probably needs a sign-in, points to a web page rather than a media file, or is private or DRM-protected. Try the direct file URL, or download the file and use Upload file.
Can I transcribe a Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive link?
Only if it is a public direct download link. Preview pages and links that need a sign-in will not work. Downloading the file and uploading it is the reliable route.
Is link to text free?
Importing links is a Pro feature. On the free plan (20 minutes in total) you can download the file and use Upload file instead. Your remaining minutes decide how long a recording you can transcribe.
Is it legal to transcribe a video from a link?
Transcribing content you own or have permission to use is fine. For other people’s content, make sure your use is allowed where you live, and do not republish transcripts without permission.

More ways to turn speech into text

Every HeyScribe tool works from the same account and the same minutes.

YouTube to text

Paste a YouTube link and get a transcript and summary, even without captions.

Learn more

Video to text

Transcribe MP4 and MOV videos and export subtitles as SRT or VTT.

Learn more

Audio to text

Upload MP3, WAV or M4A and get an accurate transcript with timestamps.

Learn more

Transcribe

Transcribe any recording, link or live conversation in one place.

Learn more

AI transcription

Fast, accurate AI transcripts with speaker labels, summaries and action items.

Learn more

Speech to text

Accurate AI speech recognition for live speech, recordings and links.

Learn more

Got a link? Get the text.

Paste a public YouTube or media link into HeyScribe and see the transcript.

Transcribe a link