Spotify’s video tools changed in June 2026. Eligible artists in its current beta can upload full-length videos directly through Spotify for Artists, while labels and distributors can continue delivering video too. This Spotify video uploads for artists guide helps you prepare the right file and information before you press submit. Access is still rolling out, so treat the upload option as a useful extra rather than something every artist can use today. The aim is simple: connect one suitable video to one song, make the details accurate and leave enough time to fix problems.
1. Check whether your team has beta access
Log in to Spotify for Artists on a desktop and open Video & Visuals. If you see Upload Video, your team has access. Spotify says direct uploads are still in beta and are being rolled out to more artists. If the option is missing, you can join the waitlist. A label or distributor may still be able to deliver your video through its normal route.
Only Admins and Editors on an artist or label team can upload. Before preparing a large file, check that you are on the correct artist team and have the right role. This avoids finishing the work and then discovering that a Reader account cannot submit it.
2. Pick a supported video type
Spotify currently accepts official music videos, live performances, acoustic or studio sessions, covers and some alternate versions such as dance videos. The music needs to be the clear focus. A simple performance can therefore be suitable, even when you do not have the budget for a large video production.
Do not upload a lyric video, visualiser, silent video or a full concert containing several songs. Spotify’s policy says a multi-song performance should be split into separate videos, with one song in each upload. Choose the version that supports the song instead of adding unrelated footage just to make the video longer.
3. Prepare the file to Spotify’s recommended format
Spotify recommends a 16:9 landscape video at 1080p or higher. The video should be longer than 30 seconds, shorter than 20 minutes and no larger than 50 GB. MP4 is the recommended format, while MOV and MPEG-4 are also listed as compatible.
- Export at 1920 × 1080 or higher when possible.
- Keep the song as the main audio and visual focus.
- Watch the full export for black frames, bad cuts and audio problems.
- Check that titles or captions stay readable on a phone and television.
- Use a thumbnail frame that is clear at a small size.
Other aspect ratios can be compatible, but Spotify says they may be shown with letterboxing in a 16:9 space. Planning a landscape version from the start gives you more control over what listeners see.
4. Check music and video rights before submission
Confirm that you are allowed to upload the recording, performance and visuals. Check agreements with producers, featured artists, videographers and anyone who supplied footage. If the video is a cover, Spotify asks you to link the original song. When your own cover recording is already on Spotify, you can link both your version and the original.
Rights problems can still appear after submission. Spotify says it will email you if a rightsholder blocks the video, and an appeal may be available when you believe you have the necessary rights. Keep licences and approvals together so you can answer a genuine rights query without searching through old messages.
5. Link the correct song and enter clean details
After the file uploads, Spotify asks whether the song is a cover or an original from your catalogue. Link the correct catalogue track, or choose Unreleased audio if the song is not available yet. Double-check the artist, song and version before moving on.
Spotify recommends keeping the video title aligned with the song title. Do not put the artist name, the word Live or other version information in that title field. Use the separate Video version and Video type fields for those details. You can also add an original release date, explicit settings, songwriter information and a Video ISRC. Accurate fields make the upload easier to understand and maintain.
6. Plan the publishing and pitching window
You can publish immediately or schedule the video for later. Allow time for processing rather than submitting minutes before a campaign begins. Spotify says a successfully processed video can take up to 24 hours to appear, and analytics may take around another 24 hours after it goes live.
Official music videos and performances can be eligible for editorial pitching. A video uploaded through Spotify for Artists must be unreleased or uploaded within the past seven days, and that seven-day window begins on the upload date. Video and song pitches are separate. Add useful details about the story, mood, visual style and marketing plan, but do not assume a pitch guarantees placement.
7. Read the status and review the live result
After submission, check Video & Visuals for processing updates or errors. If processing fails, Spotify says you need to delete the video and upload it again. Once it is live, check the public result on more than one screen and confirm that the right song, title, version and thumbnail appear.
Admins, Editors and Readers can view video analytics. Available figures include all-time video streams plus stream and listener trends over time. Review them alongside the song’s wider performance. One quiet result does not prove that video is wrong for your audience, and one busy day does not guarantee the same response next time.
A quick pre-upload checklist
- Beta access and team role confirmed.
- One supported, music-first video selected.
- Landscape file, resolution, duration and size checked.
- Audio, performance and visual rights reviewed.
- Correct song, title, version and thumbnail prepared.
- Publishing date leaves time for processing.
- Pitch details and post-launch checks planned.
More practical release help
Video is only one part of a clean release. Check the music data and timeline around it as carefully as the edit itself.
Use The Hubb music metadata checklist before delivery.
Check how ISRC codes should be handled for each recording.
Build a four-week music release timeline.
Official Spotify guidance
Spotify guidance for uploading videos in Spotify for Artists.
