As users of the platform may have seen in action, Spotify Canvas allows artists to upload 3-8 second long looping videos to accompany their music. Here, we look at how to get the most out of this particular branding tool!
CD Baby artists can now access Spotify Canvas to add looping visuals to your songs Spotify Canvas is a feature that allows you to upload 3-8 second looping videos for each of your tracks on Spotify. CD Baby is really excited to get you access to this visual branding tool on Spotify, because it has proven to draw listeners deeper into the music. Spotify claims that beta testing of high-quality Canvases increased:- track shares by an average of 145%
- playlist adds by 20%
- streams by 5%
- profile visits by 9%
How to create an engaging Spotify Canvas
Spotify offers these helpful suggestions when you’re shooting or editing the looped video that will accompany your track:- Avoid footage with talking, rapping, or singing. Your looped video will not be synced to the music, so any mouth movements will be distracting.
- No frenetic cuts or flashing effects. The idea is to draw someone in, not give them a stroke.
- Keep the action centered. Player controls may appear over the lower half of the screen, so the most important stuff should be in the center or slightly higher.
- Spotify Canvas is a vertical video format. You have to upload a video with a 9:16 aspect ratio. You can’t edit the framing within Spotify for Artists.
- No artist, track, or album names. Those things are already viewable to listeners.
- Tell a story. Short-form video platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok show that you can deliver a powerful punch in a matter of seconds.
- Tell a bigger story.
- Upload Canvases for each song on an album that speak to one another or progress along a timeline.
- Amplify your brand consistency. Make your Canvases fit in with your other visuals on Spotify, such as the profile picture and header image.
- Switch your Canvases whenever. You can change a song’s Canvas any time, so think of ways to make it interactive and dynamic.
- Experiment with different kinds of loops. Spotify defines them as:
- The Continuous Loop – “has the satisfying feel of a seamless looping GIF with no clear beginning or end.”
- The Hard Cut loop – “has clear edit points that can be artfully disguised.”
- The Rebound – “plays your clip forward and then reverses it.”
Specifications for Spotify Canvas videos
Your Spotify Canvas should meet these requirements:- 9:16 ratio (vertical)
- At least 720px tall
- An MP4 or JPEG file
- 3s to 8s long (MP4 only)
Check your Spotify Canvas views
Once you’re granted access to Canvas you’ll be able to see how many people viewed your videos on Spotify. A column for views appears within the MUSIC tab of your Spotify for Artists account. If a significant percentage of listeners are also watching your Canvases, you’ll know your efforts are paying off. If hardly anyone is watching them, you might need to step up your video efforts or put your energy elsewhere.Where is Spotify Canvas NOT available yet?
Spotify Canvas is available in many territories. However, Canvas is NOT available to consumers in the following countries:- Russia
- Ukraine
- Belarus
- Kazakhstan
- Moldova
- Algeria
- Bahrain
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Morocco
- Oman
- Palestine
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Tunisia
- United Arab Emirates
- India
