What is a Spotify Canvas?
A Spotify Canvas is a short, looping video (3-8 seconds) that artists can add to their tracks on Spotify. It plays in the background during song playback on the Spotify app, replacing the static album artwork, and is designed to enhance the listening experience. Initially, they were exclusively available to major labels but soon after Spotify announced that they made this powerful feature available to all artists. So if you haven’t already, now’s the perfect time to enhance your music’s reach with stunning visuals that captivate your fans!
Over the last 13 years I’ve made 2,792 projects for 1,317 artists across 63 countries — independent artists, as well as acts like Ozzy Osbourne, Ace of Base, Manowar, Sara Evans and The Rasmus. Spotify Canvas is a $60 add-on to any lyric video I make.
Spotify Canvas Specs: A Complete Guide
| Spec | Requirement |
|---|---|
| File type | MP4 (video) or JPG (still image) |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 (vertical) |
| Minimum resolution | 720 x 1280 px |
| Recommended resolution | 1080 x 1920 px |
| Duration | 3 to 8 seconds |
Spotify Canvas is available as an extra on my lyric video production services. If you already have your Spotify Canvas, you can skip to the next step to see how you can publish it.
Spotify Canvas Size
Spotify guidelines recommend a minimum resolution of 720 by 1280 pixels. However, considering the high-resolution displays of most modern smartphones, I suggest aiming for dimensions of at least 1080 x 1920 pixels.
- 720 x 1280 pixels (minimum)
- 1080 x 1920 pixels (recommended)
Using a higher resolution ensures that your Spotify Canvas looks crisp and clear, even on devices with high-resolution screens.
One thing worth flagging, because it confuses people: Spotify’s own Canvas guidelines state the size as “between 720px - 1080px tall”, which reads as a ceiling of 1080 on the long edge rather than the short one. That line has been on their page for a long time and I won’t guess at what they intended by it. What I can tell you is what happens in practice: 1080 x 1920 uploads without complaint and looks the best on a modern phone, so that’s what I’d export.
Spotify Canvas Aspect Ratio
The Spotify Canvas should have an aspect ratio of 9:16 (portrait orientation). This corresponds to a vertical video format, similar to what is commonly used for stories or reels on social media platforms.
When uploading your canvas, Spotify displays a warning about how your Spotify Canvas will display on narrower phones, such as the iPhone X or Samsung S9. Since Spotify Canvases use a 9:16 aspect ratio, the sides of the video might be cropped when viewed on devices with narrower screens.
The “Preview for narrower devices” toggle allows you to see how your Canvas will appear on such phones, ensuring that the key content remains visible within the central area.
To avoid critical parts of the video being cropped, keep important visual elements within the safe zone (the central vertical portion of the 9:16 video). This ensures the Canvas looks great on all devices.
Spotify Canvas Length
One of the most common questions about Spotify Canvases is about their duration. Spotify Canvases are designed to be short, looping visuals that complement your music, and their length should be between 3 to 8 seconds long.
If you’re creating a Spotify Canvas, I recommend using as much of the 8-second limit as possible. This will give you more time to create a compelling visual narrative. I have noticed that when a Spotify Canvas is exactly 8 seconds long, I get an upload error. If you encounter this, try reducing the duration by a split second. This is a common issue that artists run into, and a slightly shorter Canvas should upload without problems.
Spotify Canvas Format
Spotify accepts two file types: an MP4 for a looping video, or a JPG if you’d rather use a still image. A Canvas is almost always the MP4.
Rules for Text and CTAs in Spotify Canvas
When it comes to text, Spotify says if used, they have to be relevant to the track. That means links, call-to-action, hashtags, or social media handles are not allowed. Bear in mind that Spotify Canvas is not about blatant self-promotion but building your artistic image. At a time when we’re bombarded with promotional content and hashtags all day long, I think it was a really good move to dedicate these 8 seconds just to the art.
Promote Your Music with Captivating Lyric Videos
In the world of music, it’s not just about the sound – it’s also about the visuals. A well-crafted lyric video can boost engagement, increase shareability, and elevate your audience’s experience.
A lyric video from me is a flat $300, with the Spotify Canvas add-on at $60 on top of that. I break down what goes into that number — and the other extras — in my post on how much a lyric video costs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Publishing Your Spotify Canvas
Now that you have created your Spotify Canvas, it’s time to actually get it on Spotify. Head on over to your Spotify for Artists account and navigate to the Music tab. If you don’t have an account, then I strongly suggest getting one. It gives you the option to customize your artist page on Spotify and take advantage of the numerous tools Spotify provides including today’s focus, the Spotify Canvas.
Once you’re on the music tab, find the song you’d like to add the Canvas to and click on it. If the song is not yet released, you can find it under the “upcoming” tab. On the top right corner, you should now see the newly featured “Add Canvas” button. Once opened, you’ll have the option to upload and preview your Spotify Canvas. Make sure it looks good then click next and publish it. In my experience, it should be live within a few minutes.
Though this guide is written with the web in mind, the procedure for publishing a Spotify Canvas is exactly the same through the Spotify for Artists mobile app.
Troubleshooting: Solutions for Common Spotify Canvas Upload Issues
Uploading your Spotify Canvas should be a straightforward process, but occasionally, you might encounter some obstacles. Here are solutions to some common issues:
Issue: Canvas Is Not the Correct Size or Aspect Ratio
Ensure your canvas meets the required specifications. It should have a 9:16 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1080×1920 pixels. If your canvas doesn’t meet these specifications, it might fail to upload. Adjust the size or aspect ratio of your Canvas and try uploading it again.
Issue: Canvas Is Longer Than 8 Seconds
The duration of your Spotify Canvas should be between 3 to 8 seconds. If your Canvas is exactly 8 seconds long and fails to upload, it could be due to Spotify’s strict timing requirements. Try shortening your Canvas by a fraction of a second and attempt the upload again.
Issue: Unsupported File Type
Spotify Canvas accepts only MP4 and JPG files. If your Canvas is saved in an unsupported format, it won’t upload. Check the file type of your Canvas and, if needed, convert it to a supported format before uploading.
Issue: Network Issues
Sometimes, the problem could be as simple as a poor internet connection. If you’re confident your Canvas meets all the requirements and it still won’t upload, check your internet connection. If your connection is unstable, wait until it stabilizes before trying to upload your Canvas again.
Remember, each issue has a solution, so don’t get discouraged if you encounter problems. With a bit of troubleshooting, you’ll have your Spotify Canvas up and running in no time!
The Transformative Impact of Spotify Canvas on Music Promotion
I mentioned earlier that the Spotify Canvas is not a direct marketing tool and should not be used for self-promotion. At least not in an obvious way. That said, when Spotify opened Canvas up to every artist, they published some interesting numbers about tracks that had one. On the Canvas site they ran at the time, they reported that tracks with a Canvas were 5% more likely to keep playing than a control group, 20% more likely to be added to a playlist, 9% more likely to lead to a visit to the artist’s page, 1.4% more likely to be saved to the listener’s library, and perhaps most impressively, a whopping 145% more likely for the song to be shared. Spotify has since taken those figures down, so read them as a snapshot from the launch rather than as current performance data.
Speaking of sharing, another great advantage of Spotify Canvas is that the tracks that have one will display the canvas instead of a static artwork image when shared to Instagram stories.
Considering how difficult it can be to reach new listeners, even a fraction of that share lift is worth having on your next release. This is further supported by artists who are willing to place Facebook Ads for promoting their music on Spotify.
Ready to elevate your music promotion? Pair your Spotify Canvas with a professionally crafted lyric video!