Spotify Canvas - A Beginner's Guide

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Spotify Canvas is a new feature that allows artists to add a short, looping video to their songs. Canvas is an 8-second visual loop that shows in a vertical format to fill the screen. It appears in the Now Playing View instead of your album artwork. These videos can be used to promote the song, provide additional context, or simply add a bit of visual flair.

1. Sourcing Stock Video Footage

Pixabay

Pixabay is a free stock video website that offers a wide variety of high-quality videos. The videos are available in a variety of resolutions and formats, and they can be used for a variety of purposes, including personal and commercial use. Pixabay is a great resource for finding high-quality stock videos without having to spend a lot of money.

Videezy

Videezy is another great option for finding free stock videos. Free HD Stock Video Footage! - Videezy is a community of Videographers who download and share free HD stock video!

Videvo

Videvo is a great option for finding high-quality stock videos that are royalty-free. Videvo offers free stock videos and motion graphics for use in any project. You may use these video clips free of charge, in both personal and commercial.

Mazwai

Mazwai is a great option for finding high-quality stock videos. Download free stock video footage with clips available in HD. Download royalty-free videos from Mazwai now.

Mixkit

Mixkit is a great option for finding high-quality stock videos that are short and to the point. Mixkit is a free gallery of stock video clips with no watermark, music tracks, sound effects and video templates.

2. Spotify Canvas Templates

Tuneform

Tuneform is a music visualizer creation tool that allows you to create Spotify Canvas videos in less than a minute. With Tuneform, you can choose from a variety of templates and styles, or upload your own images and videos. Once you're happy with your design, you can download your video and upload it to Spotify for Artists.

Kapwing

Kapwing's Spotify Canvas Maker is a free and easy-to-use tool that allows you to create Spotify Canvas videos. With Kapwing, you can add your own video, text, and images to create a custom visual that will appear when listeners stream your music on Spotify.

3. How to Add a Canvas to your Spotify Track

You can add a Canvas to any track, including upcoming releases.

You need to be either:

  • The first main artist listed on the track
  • A main artist listed on both the track and release

For: Admins and Editors

  1. Log in to Spotify for Artists.
  2. Once you have logged in, go to the Music tab.
  3. Select a track that you want to add a Canvas to.
  4. Click ADD CANVAS (web) / CREATE CANVAS (mobile app) and follow the instructions.

The video that you upload for your Canvas must be 3 to 8 seconds long and must meet the following requirements:

  • The video must be in mp4 format.
  • The video must have a resolution of 1280 x 720 or higher.
  • The video must be at least 30 frames per second.

Once you have uploaded your video, it will be reviewed by Spotify. If your video meets the requirements, it will be approved and added to your song.

Here are some tips for creating a successful Spotify Canvas:

  • Make sure that your video is visually appealing.
  • Use your video to tell a story or to create a mood.
  • Make sure that your video is relevant to your song.
  • Keep your video short and to the point.
Benefits of Using Spotify Canvas

There are many benefits to using Spotify Canvas. Here are a few of the most important ones:

  • Increased visibility: Spotify Canvases are displayed to listeners who are playing your songs on the Spotify mobile app. This means that your videos will be seen by a wider audience than they would be if they were only available on your website or social media pages.
  • Enhanced listening experience: Spotify Canvases can add a new level of engagement to the listening experience. By providing visual accompaniment to your songs, you can help listeners to better understand the mood and message of your music.
  • Increased discoverability: Spotify Canvases can help your music to be discovered by new listeners. When someone sees your Canvas, they may be more likely to check out your other songs.

Spotify Canvas is a great way to promote your music and to engage with your fans. By following these tips, you can create a Canvas that will help you stand out from the competition.

Here are some additional tips for creating a successful Spotify Canvas:

  • Use high-quality video footage.
  • Make sure that your video is well-lit and that the audio is clear.
  • Edit your video to make sure that it is the right length and that it flows well.
  • Use music that is appropriate for your song and that will appeal to your target audience.
  • Test your video on different devices to make sure that it looks good and plays smoothly.