YouTube has expanded its automatic dubbing tools, increasing language coverage and introducing new features aimed at making translated videos sound more natural while giving viewers greater control over how they consume multilingual content.
The platform’s auto dubbing system, which generates translated audio tracks for videos, is now available in 27 languages, widening access to content produced in different parts of the world. Company data shows that in December, more than six million users per day watched at least 10 minutes of auto dubbed material, indicating growing use of the feature.
The expansion focuses not only on translation volume but also on improving how dubbed voices sound. One of the major updates is the introduction of ‘Expressive Speech’, now available across eight languages including English, Hindi, French, German and Spanish. The system attempts to mirror the original speaker’s tone, emotion and rhythm rather than delivering a flat or mechanical voice.
Earlier auto dubbing tools often produced speech that was technically accurate but lacked natural flow. The newer models aim to capture conversational pacing and vocal emphasis, which are essential for storytelling, humour and emotional impact.
YouTube has also introduced new viewer controls to address how dubbed content is delivered. While language selection has previously been determined automatically based on viewing behaviour, users can now manually set a Preferred Language.
This allows viewers to consistently watch videos in their original language or always in a translated version of their choice. The update is particularly relevant in multilingual regions where automatic selections may not match personal preference.
Another feature currently being tested focuses on visual realism. A lip-sync pilot subtly aligns a speaker’s mouth movements with the translated audio, making dubbed footage appear more natural. Mismatched lip movements have long been one of the most noticeable issues with dubbed content, especially in close-up speaking shots.
If rolled out widely, the technology could reduce the visual disconnect that often makes dubbed videos feel artificial or distracting.
Several updates have also been introduced for creators. A new Automatic Smart Filtering system analyses videos to determine whether dubbing is appropriate. Content such as music performances, silent vlogs or videos where translated speech would disrupt the experience can now be excluded automatically.
From a discovery perspective, the platform says auto dubbed versions will not reduce the visibility of the original video. In some cases, translated audio may allow content to reach audiences who primarily search and browse in other languages.Creators continue to have full control over dubbing options. They can disable automatic dubbing entirely or upload their own translated audio tracks, which will replace the automated versions.