Spotify Music Video Specifications & Guidelines

This guide outlines the requirements for delivering music videos to Spotify through Symphonic, including eligibility, accepted content types, timelines, and technical specifications.

Audio Distribution Requirement:

To deliver a music video to Spotify, the corresponding audio must also be distributed by Symphonic.

If your audio is currently delivered through another distributor, your video will not be eligible for Spotify. To proceed, you will need to transfer the audio to Symphonic using TransferTrack. Once the transfer is complete, your video can be delivered.

What types of music videos are accepted by Spotify? 

✅ Spotify Currently Accepts:

✅ Official Music Videos
Defined as premium or MTV-style videos that amplify the story of a track. Official videos must have a clear audio counterpart, which must also be delivered to Spotify.

✅ Live Performance Videos
Defined as premium or professionally recorded live performances of a song. The audio-only version of the live performance must also be delivered to Spotify.

❌ Spotify Does Not Currently Accept:

❌ Lyric Videos
Music videos that display lyrics on screen and primarily serve as a way to engage with lyrics on video platforms.

❌ Pseudo Videos
Visualizers or static image captures delivered in video format.

❌ Standalone Videos
Any video not clearly associated with a track available on Spotify. Examples include press videos, interviews, closed-captioned content, or behind-the-scenes footage.

What are the technical specifications for Spotify music videos?

Content Specifications:

• Music Videos MAY be rejected if they contain the following:
  • Suicide and self-harm, including disordered eating.
  • Substance use, misuse, or abuse.
  • Graphic, shocking, or violent content.
  • Sexual content & nudity.
  • Repeated or prolonged visual profanity or vulgar language.
• The Music Video title must match the original track’s title and version title
  • Titles must not include phrases including, but not limited to: Official Music Video, Music Video, Official Video, Video Version, etc
  • Live videos must contain the version title “Live”. If the version title includes time and venue, it should be formatted as Live at Place, Year (or date when applicable).
     

Video: Container/Codec Combinations

• For H.264 and H.265 video codec: MP4 container (ISO/IEC 14496–14:2003 [MPEG-4 Part 14])
• For ProRes video codec: MOV/QuickTime container
• Codec: H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) main or high profile, H.265 (HEVC), Apple ProRes 422 HQ
• Resolution: We prefer and recommend 1080p or higher. SD and 720p are supported but non-optimal for larger screens.
• Aspect ratio: Any aspect ratio is supported. 16:9 or 9:16 recommended.
• Do not add borders to meet aspect ratio requirements.
• Do not crop source material to fit into the optimal aspect ratio.
• Colorspace: Rec.709 or Rec.2020
• Chroma subsampling: 4:2:0, 4:2:2, or 4:4:4
• Dynamic range: Standard Dynamic Range (Rec.709) or HDR HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma, Rec.2100)
• Frame rate: 24, 25, 30, 50, or 60 FPS. Also supported: 23.97p, 29.97p, 59.94p FPS

Required Image Asset

• All videos must be accompanied by a thumbnail/video screen capture image.
• The image must be a still from the music video (not album artwork)

Check out our FAQs on Spotify Music Videos