How to Upload a Music Video to Spotify
Choose the right Spotify delivery route, follow the upload steps, and prepare a music video with the correct format, rights, and metadata.
Build the full music video first
Native landscape output, shown without vertical cropping.
Checked July 30, 2026. Yes, artists can upload full-length music videos to Spotify, but access determines the route. If Spotify for Artists → Video & Visuals shows Upload Video, your Admin or Editor can use the direct-upload beta. If the button is missing, join the waitlist or use a label or distributor that supports Spotify video delivery.
Your route depends on one button
Check Spotify for Artists before paying for delivery or producing the final master.
Use Spotify for Artists
Artist and label team Admins or Editors can upload directly from Video & Visuals while their team is in the beta.
Continue to the six upload stepsWaitlist or distributor
Join Spotify’s beta waitlist, or ask the label or distributor that manages your release whether it currently delivers official music videos to Spotify.
Confirm support before productionSpotify for Artists Video Upload Steps
If Upload Video is visible, the Spotify music video upload happens entirely inside Spotify for Artists on desktop.
Log in on desktop
Open the artist or label team with Admin or Editor access.
Open Video & Visuals
Choose Upload Video and select the finished video file.
Link the song
Select an original catalog track, unreleased audio, or the song being covered.
Set the release details
Add the title, video type, thumbnail, date, and explicit settings.
Add advanced metadata
Confirm songwriters and add a Video ISRC when one is available.
Submit and monitor
Watch the processing status in Video & Visuals and wait for the live notice.
After upload, Spotify lets you link an original catalog song, unreleased audio, or the original song behind a cover. Keep the video title aligned with the song title; Spotify recommends leaving artist names and version labels such as “Live” out of that field.
Once the video is scheduled or live, you can edit its title or delete it. To change other details, Spotify currently requires deleting the video and uploading it again.
Spotify Music Video Requirements
Use the recommended target below for the final delivery file.
Spotify's current full-length policy recommends 1920 x 1080 or higher, a single music-first song, and a file under 50 GB. Other aspect ratios may be compatible, but Spotify normally displays them with letterboxing inside a 16:9 space.
Use the Spotify music video requirements checklist when preparing the final delivery master.
- Official music videos
- Live performances
- Acoustic or studio sessions
- Covers and alternate versions
- Visualizers or lyric videos
- Videos containing multiple songs
- Videos without music
- Still-image videos
A visualizer, lyric video, static-cover video, or multi-song concert is not an official Spotify music video under the current upload policy. Produce a real single-song video, live performance, studio session, cover, or alternate version instead.
How to Make a Spotify-Ready Music Video
If the delivery route is confirmed but the video is not finished, build for Spotify's recommended 16:9 target from the start. Do not generate a vertical video and crop it into a landscape frame later.
Create the file. Keep delivery separate.
VibeMV helps you direct and assemble the music video. Spotify for Artists, your label, or your distributor handles submission and acceptance.
Short VibeMV output montage shown at its native 16:9 aspect ratio; not a Spotify interface recording.
VibeMV starts with your rights-cleared song, lets you define the visual direction, generates AI video shots around song sections, and gives you a shot-by-shot review stage before export. The standard export is 720p; use the optional 1440p upscale when you need to deliver above Spotify's 1080p recommendation.
VibeMV can create the file, but it does not submit it to Spotify. A compliant resolution also does not guarantee acceptance: rights, content policy, metadata, market support, and Spotify's review still apply.
Rights and Publishing Details
You need permission for the sound recording, composition, performers, footage, generated assets, and any third-party material in the video. AI-generated visuals do not remove those obligations.
For US availability, Spotify also relies on songwriter and publisher ownership data registered with The MLC. Spotify's current rights guide says underlying works may need to opt into its audiovisual licensing agreement administered through HFA. Handle this separately from the video upload itself.
Read Spotify's music video publishing rights and clearances before scheduling US availability.
What Happens After You Submit
Processing
A successfully processed direct upload can take up to 24 hours to appear.
Analytics
Video analytics are generally available around 24 hours after the video goes live.
Availability
Direct-upload videos are limited to Premium listeners in supported beta markets; distributor delivery may reach more markets.
Pitching and earnings
Eligible videos can be pitched separately, can earn royalties, and may be chart-eligible. Placement and earnings are not guaranteed.
Official music videos and eligible live performances can also be pitched to Spotify playlist editors. When the option is available, pitch the video separately from the song. Spotify currently limits video pitches to unreleased videos or videos released within the previous seven days, and pitching does not guarantee placement.
Spotify says qualifying videos can earn royalties and may be chart-eligible. Treat that as eligibility, not a guaranteed payout or editorial result.
Direct Upload vs Distributor Delivery
Spotify for Artists direct upload is still a beta available to tens of thousands of artists. Spotify says delivery through a label or distributor remains the primary path for audio and video music content.
If you need a distributor, confirm these points before paying:
- Does the provider currently deliver official music videos to Spotify?
- Must the same provider also manage the song audio?
- Which rights documents, metadata fields, and Video ISRC details are required?
- How are corrections, takedowns, royalties, and territory availability handled?
If DistroVid is one of the routes you are considering, review its separate Spotify eligibility, price, and file requirements. Its cross-service master rules are stricter than Spotify's direct-upload recommendations.
Video availability differs by delivery route. Direct-upload videos currently reach Premium listeners in Spotify's supported beta markets, while videos delivered through a label or distributor may be available in additional markets.
Spotify Music Video vs Canvas
A Spotify Canvas is a separate 3-8 second 9:16 loop in the mobile Now Playing view. It is not a full-length music video and does not use the same upload requirements.
Use the free Spotify Canvas maker for the short loop. Read Spotify Canvas vs music video when deciding which release asset to make first.
FAQ
Can independent artists upload music videos to Spotify?
Yes. Independent artists can upload directly when their Spotify for Artists team has beta access, or deliver through a label or distributor that supports Spotify music videos. Direct upload is not available to every artist yet.
Where is the Upload Video button in Spotify for Artists?
On desktop, open Spotify for Artists and go to Video & Visuals. Eligible artist and label team Admins and Editors see Upload Video there. If the button is missing, join the beta waitlist or confirm video delivery with your distributor.
What are the Spotify music video requirements?
Spotify recommends one music-first video in 16:9 landscape, at least 1920 x 1080, longer than 30 seconds, shorter than 20 minutes, and under 50 GB. MP4 is the recommended format.
How long does Spotify take to process a music video?
Spotify says a successfully processed direct upload can take up to 24 hours to appear. Video analytics are generally available around 24 hours after the video goes live.
Does Spotify accept AI-generated music videos?
Spotify does not publish a separate AI-video category. The finished video still needs to be music-first, rights-cleared, technically compliant, and within Spotify's platform and content rules. Spotify makes the final acceptance decision.
Do Spotify music videos earn royalties?
Spotify says videos longer than 30 seconds can earn royalties and may be chart-eligible, similar to audio. Rights, monetization eligibility, viewer market, and delivery route still apply.
Can VibeMV upload my music video to Spotify?
No. VibeMV creates the music video file. Spotify for Artists, your label, or your distributor controls submission, rights review, processing, and availability on Spotify.
Official Sources
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DistroVid Spotify Music Video Guide (2026)
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