Feedback: guides-pre-recorded-audio

Documentation Feedback

Original URL: https://www.assemblyai.com/docs/guides/pre-recorded-audio
Category: guides
Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:38:49 pm

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Claude Sonnet 4 Feedback

Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:38:48 pm

Technical Documentation Analysis: AssemblyAI Pre-recorded Audio Guide

Overall Assessment

This documentation serves as a hub page linking to various guides, but lacks essential information and structure that would help users efficiently accomplish their goals. It reads more like a sitemap than actionable documentation.

Critical Issues & Recommendations

1. Missing Core Content

Problem: The page lacks fundamental “getting started” information.

Recommendations:

• Add a “Quick Start” section with:
  • API key setup instructions
  • Basic code example showing a simple transcription request
  • Expected response format
  • Authentication requirements
• Include supported audio formats and file size limits
• Add processing time expectations

Example Addition:

## Quick Start

### Prerequisites
- AssemblyAI API key ([get one here](link))
- Audio file in supported format (MP3, WAV, M4A, etc.)

### Basic Example
```python
import assemblyai as aai

aai.settings.api_key = "your-api-key"
transcriber = aai.Transcriber()

transcript = transcriber.transcribe("path/to/audio.mp3")
print(transcript.text)

2. Poor Information Architecture

Problem: Links are categorized but without context about when to use each approach.

Recommendations:

• Add brief descriptions (1-2 sentences) under each section explaining when to use these guides
• Include difficulty levels (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced)
• Add estimated completion times
• Reorganize sections by user journey rather than feature categories

Example Improvement:

## Basic Transcription Workflows
*Start here if you're new to AssemblyAI or need to handle common transcription scenarios.*

- **[Get YouTube Video Transcripts](link)** *(Beginner, 10 min)*
  Extract and transcribe audio from YouTube videos using yt-dlp

3. Missing Navigation and Context

Problem: Users can’t understand their current location or next steps.

Recommendations:

• Add breadcrumb navigation
• Include “What you’ll learn” section
• Add “Next steps” or “Related topics” at the end
• Include a progress indicator for multi-part workflows

4. No Success Criteria or Outcomes

Problem: Users don’t know what they’ll achieve by following these guides.

Recommendations:

• Add expected outcomes for each section
• Include sample outputs or screenshots
• Provide success metrics (accuracy expectations, processing times)

5. Missing Troubleshooting Context

Problem: Error handling is buried and not prominent enough.

Recommendations:

• Move “Error Handling” section higher in the hierarchy
• Add a “Common Issues” callout box early in the document
• Include links to status page and support

6. Improved Structure Recommendation

# Pre-recorded Audio Transcription

## Quick Start
[Core getting started content]

## Choose Your Integration Path

### I'm New to Speech-to-Text
- Basic transcription workflow
- Understanding the response format
- Testing with sample files

### I Need to Process Multiple Files
- Batch transcription guides
- File hosting options
- Performance optimization

### I Need Advanced Features
- Speaker identification
- Language detection
- Custom formatting

## Common Use Cases
[Organized by business need rather than technical feature]

## Troubleshooting
[Prominent placement of error handling]

## Migration & Advanced Topics
[Keep existing migration guides]

7. Content Gaps to Address

Add missing sections:

• Supported audio formats and specifications
• Rate limits and quotas
• Pricing considerations for different features
• Security and data handling information
• API response examples
• Performance benchmarks

8. User Experience Improvements

Interactive Elements:

• Add a decision tree: “Not sure which guide to follow? Answer a few questions…”
• Include filtering options: “Show me guides for: Python | Node.js | Batch processing”
• Add search functionality within the guide list

Visual Enhancements:

• Replace generic arrow icons with more descriptive icons (difficulty level, time estimate, language-specific)
• Add visual hierarchy with better spacing and typography
• Include diagrams showing typical workflows

9. Specific Content Fixes

Fix HTML Issues:

• Clean up malformed HTML in Speaker Labels section
• Ensure consistent link formatting
• Remove redundant whitespace and formatting artifacts

Improve Link Descriptions:

• Make titles more descriptive and action-oriented
• Add context about prerequisites
• Include technology stack requirements

10. Add Practical Elements

Code Examples Hub:

• Embed the most common code snippets directly on this page
• Add copy-to-clipboard functionality
• Show examples in multiple programming languages

Resource Links:

• Link to SDK documentation
• Reference API documentation
• Connect to community forums and examples

Implementation Priority

1. High Priority: Add Quick Start section and basic code examples
2. High Priority: Reorganize content by user journey
3. Medium Priority: Add descriptions and context to each section
4. Medium Priority: Improve visual hierarchy and navigation
5. Low Priority: Add interactive filtering and advanced features

This analysis focuses on transforming the page from a simple link directory into a comprehensive guide that helps users succeed with their transcription projects.

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