Canvas is a short looping video that plays behind your track on the Spotify mobile app. Instead of seeing a static album cover, listeners see motion.
According to Spotify, tracks with Canvas see up to 145% more shares and 20% more saves. These engagement signals directly influence algorithmic performance.
This guide covers the technical requirements, content strategies, and common mistakes to avoid.
What Canvas is (and is not)
Canvas is a visual enhancement, not a music video. It is a 3-8 second loop that plays continuously while your song streams. It is not synced to the audio, so timing does not match lyrics or beats.
Canvas appears in:
- The Now Playing view on mobile
- Instagram Stories when listeners share your track
- The queue view on mobile
Canvas does not appear on:
- Desktop app
- Web player
- Smart speakers or car displays
This means Canvas primarily impacts mobile listeners, who represent the majority of Spotify usage.
Technical specifications
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3-8 seconds (aim for 5-8 for maximum impact) |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 (vertical) |
| Resolution | 720px × 1280px minimum; 1080px × 1920px recommended |
| File format | MP4 or MOV |
| File size | Under 8MB |
| Frame rate | 24-30 fps |
Keep important visual elements in the center "safe zone." Player controls obstruct the lower portion of the screen, and some devices crop edges.
Loop types
There are three approaches to creating seamless loops:
Continuous loop The video has no visible start or end. The last frame flows into the first frame without a cut. This works well for abstract animations, slow pans across imagery, or subtle motion graphics.
Hard cut The video has a clear edit point between cycles. This works for behind-the-scenes footage, performance clips, or content where continuity is not expected.
Rebound loop The video plays forward, then reverses. This is the easiest to create: record any clip and reverse it in editing software. Water splashes, smoke, and fabric movement work particularly well.
Content that works
Abstract visuals Color gradients, geometric animations, and textural footage perform well because they complement rather than compete with the music.
Behind-the-scenes footage Studio sessions, soundcheck moments, and candid shots build connection without requiring sync to the audio.
Atmospheric imagery Slow pans across landscapes, cityscapes, or moody environments create a "place" for the song to live.
Album art in motion Animate elements of your existing album cover. This maintains visual consistency while adding the motion that drives engagement.
Content to avoid
Lip-syncing or vocal footage Because Canvas is not synced to the audio, lyrics and lip movements will not match. This creates an awkward, disconnected experience.
Text overlays Your song title and artist name already appear in the Now Playing view. Adding them to Canvas is redundant. If you must include text, keep it minimal and centered.
Rapid cuts or flashing graphics Short duration means viewers see each cycle multiple times. Aggressive editing becomes fatiguing quickly.
Low-quality source material Blurry, pixelated, or poorly lit footage looks amateur on mobile screens. If you do not have high-quality source material, use abstract graphics instead.
Strategic considerations
Consistency across your catalog
Create a visual language that connects your tracks. Recurring colors, motifs, or animation styles help listeners recognize your brand.
Some artists create a single Canvas treatment for an entire album, with variations for each track. This maintains cohesion while keeping individual songs visually distinct.
Updating over time
Unlike physical album art, Canvas can change. Use this to:
- Refresh older catalog tracks
- Celebrate milestones (charting, playlist placements)
- Tie into tours, merch drops, or seasonal moments
- Incorporate fan art or user-generated content
Billie Eilish regularly updates her Canvas with animated fan art, creating a two-way engagement loop.
Instagram sharing optimization
When listeners share your track to Instagram Stories, the Canvas appears instead of static album art. This is significantly more attention-grabbing in a feed.
Design Canvas with this in mind. Visuals that stand out in a cluttered Stories feed drive more taps back to Spotify.
How Canvas affects algorithmic performance
Canvas does not directly influence the algorithm. Spotify does not give preferential treatment to tracks with Canvas in Discover Weekly or Radio.
However, Canvas indirectly boosts algorithmic signals:
| Signal | How Canvas helps |
|---|---|
| Save rate | 20% increase in saves when Canvas is present |
| Share rate | 145% increase in shares |
| Listen time | 5-10% longer average listen duration |
| Playlist adds | Higher playlist add rate |
These are the metrics the algorithm does care about. More saves and completions mean stronger engagement signals, which translate to better algorithmic positioning.
How to upload Canvas
- Log in to Spotify for Artists on desktop
- Navigate to Music and select the track
- Click Add Canvas
- Upload your video file (MP4 or MOV, under 8MB)
- Preview the loop and adjust if needed
- Save
Canvas typically goes live within 24-48 hours.
Measuring Canvas performance
After uploading, track these metrics in Spotify for Artists:
- Save rate - compare before and after Canvas
- Shares - visible in the Engagement tab
- Average listen duration - check if listeners stay longer
Run Canvas for at least 2-4 weeks before evaluating impact. Short-term fluctuations may be noise; you want enough data for patterns to emerge.
When to skip Canvas
Canvas requires creative resources. If you are choosing between a mediocre Canvas and no Canvas, skip it.
Low-quality Canvas can hurt perception more than it helps engagement. A blurry clip or awkward loop signals low investment in your release.
Invest in Canvas for:
- Singles and key album tracks
- Catalog tracks you are actively promoting
- Tracks where visuals add meaning
Skip Canvas for:
- Deep album cuts with minimal promotion
- Tracks where you lack quality source material
- Releases where your creative bandwidth is limited