Skip to content
Audience Plan

3 Nov 2026

Spotify Canvas: Specs, Ideas and Tips to Get More Streams

AudiencePlan

When someone plays your song on their phone, the first thing they see is your artwork, or, if you've added one, a Spotify Canvas. It's a short, looping vertical video that replaces the static cover in the Now Playing view. It takes very little time to make, and it's one of the easiest ways to make your release feel more alive. Here's everything you need to know.

What is Spotify Canvas?

Canvas is a short visual loop that plays behind a track in the Spotify mobile app. Listeners can share it straight to Instagram Stories and other apps, so it doubles as a mini promo clip. A strong Canvas gives listeners a reason to keep watching, share the track, save it and tap through to your profile, which are exactly the signals that help your music get recommended.

Spotify Canvas specs

According to Spotify's Canvas guidelines, your file should be:

  • Length: 3 to 8 seconds
  • Aspect ratio: vertical 9:16
  • Height: between 720px and 1080px tall (1080 x 1920 is the safe choice)
  • Format: MP4 is recommended for video loops

Keep important visuals away from the top and bottom of the frame, where the song title and player controls sit. Aim for a loop that flows smoothly from the last frame back into the first.

What's not allowed

Spotify removes Canvases that break its platform rules. Avoid:

  • URLs, ticket links or "follow me on..." calls to action
  • Promoting other songs, brands, products, discounts or competitions
  • Using Spotify's logo
  • Footage of you talking, singing or rapping (it won't sync to the audio)
  • Rapid cuts or intense flashing graphics

If your Canvas contains explicit, violent or otherwise sensitive imagery, mark it as explicit when you upload.

How to add a Canvas

  1. Log in to Spotify for Artists on desktop or the mobile app. You'll need Admin or Editor access, and you must be the main artist on the track.
  2. Go to Music and select the song.
  3. Choose Add Canvas and upload your file.
  4. Preview it, then save.

You can add a Canvas to upcoming releases too, so have it ready before release day, the moment when most of your Release Radar and pitching traffic arrives.

Spotify Canvas ideas that work

  • Animate your cover art. Add subtle movement such as drifting smoke, flickering light or slow zoom. It keeps your visual identity consistent.
  • Use a moment from your music video. A striking 6-second shot without lip sync works well.
  • Behind-the-scenes texture. Hands on a guitar, studio lights, a vinyl spinning. Simple, real and on-brand.
  • Mood loops. Rain on a window for a sad song, city lights at night for an R&B track. Match the feeling of the music.
  • Lyric fragments. One short line from the song can be powerful, as long as it relates to the track.

Tips for a Canvas that helps streams

  • Grab attention in the first second. Listeners decide quickly whether to keep watching.
  • Give each single its own Canvas. Fresh visuals make every release feel like an event.
  • Repurpose it. The same vertical clip can open a TikTok, Reel or YouTube Short. See our guides to promoting music on Instagram and TikTok music promotion.
  • Check your stats. Spotify for Artists shows how tracks perform, so compare shares and saves before and after you add a Canvas.

Turn views into real listeners

A great Canvas makes listeners stay, but they still need to find your song first. Audience Plan's Spotify promotion plans use official advertising to put your track in front of real people in the countries and genres you choose. No bots, no contracts and no password needed. Pair it with your Canvas and your release checklist, then choose a plan for your next single.