How to Upload Spotify Canvas: Complete Tutorial
You've got your canvas ready. Now let's get it on Spotify. Here's exactly how to upload it without any issues.
Before You Start
- You need access to Spotify for Artists (free to claim)
- Your track must be already released on Spotify
- Your canvas file must be ready (9:16 MP4, under 10MB)
- You're the verified artist or have artist access
Step-by-Step Process
Access Spotify for Artists
Go to artists.spotify.com and sign in. If you haven't claimed your artist profile yet, you'll need to do that first. The verification process usually takes 1-3 days.
Don't have access yet?
Contact your distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, etc.) to get added as an artist. Most distributors automatically give you access when you release music.
Find Your Track
Once logged in, navigate to the Music tab in the main menu. You'll see a list of all your released tracks.
Click on the track you want to add a canvas to. This opens the track detail page where you can see streams, saves, and other metrics.
Open Canvas Upload
On the track page, look for "Canvas" in the menu. It's usually in the left sidebar or under a "Customize" section.
Click Canvas, and you'll see an upload interface. If you already have a canvas, you'll see it here and can replace it.
Upload Your File
Click "Upload Video" and select your MP4 file. The file must be:
- • 9:16 aspect ratio (1080x1920 or 720x1280)
- • MP4 format with H.264 codec
- • 3-8 seconds duration
- • Under 10MB file size
The upload usually takes 5-30 seconds depending on your connection speed.
Preview and Adjust
After uploading, Spotify shows you a preview of how your canvas will look on mobile. This is your chance to check:
- • Does it loop smoothly?
- • Is the composition centered correctly?
- • Does it complement your album artwork?
If something looks off, delete it and upload a different version. There's no penalty for trying multiple times.
Publish Your Canvas
Once you're happy with the preview, click "Save" or "Publish".
Your canvas goes live immediately! It will appear on your track within a few minutes as Spotify's system processes the update.
You can update or change your canvas anytime - just upload a new one and it will replace the existing canvas.
When Your Canvas Goes Live
Common Upload Errors
"Invalid file format"
Cause: Your file isn't MP4 or uses wrong codec
Fix: Convert to MP4 with H.264 codec. GYMO handles this automatically.
"File too large"
Cause: Video exceeds 10MB limit
Fix: Compress the video or reduce duration to 6 seconds max.
"Invalid dimensions"
Cause: Not in 9:16 aspect ratio
Fix: Crop to vertical format. Must be exactly 9:16, no black bars.
"Upload failed"
Cause: Connection issue or browser problem
Fix: Try a different browser, clear cache, or wait and retry.
"Canvas removed"
Cause: Canvas violates Spotify content policy
Fix: Avoid explicit imagery, promotional text, or copyrighted content. Canvas goes live first, then may be removed if it violates policies.
Pro Tips
- Upload canvases on release day - they go live within minutes
- Test your canvas on mobile before submitting - that's how most people will see it
- Keep motion subtle - aggressive animations can be distracting
- Make sure your canvas complements your track artwork
- You can update your canvas anytime - feel free to refresh it
- Consider different canvases for different tracks, even from the same album
- Premium listeners see canvases - that's Spotify's most engaged audience