In July 2026, Spotify took a major step in its approach to video. The platform launched a full video ecosystem : a dedicated pitching tool, a global music video chart, and direct uploads for eligible artists. This is no longer a side feature in Spotify’s strategy. It’s a pillar.

Here’s what Spotify officially recommends — and how to make the most of it for your project.

What Spotify launched in July 2026

Three major features were announced simultaneously by the platform :

The Video Pitching Tool : artists can now submit their videos to Spotify’s editorial team, in the same way they already pitch unreleased audio. Videos that are unreleased or released within the past 7 days are eligible for pitching.
Music Video Charts Global : a worldwide ranking of the top 50 music videos, updated daily by stream count. A new visibility arena for artists.
Direct uploads via Spotify for Artists : around 100,000 artists now have access to the beta to upload their videos directly to the platform, without going through a label or distributor.

Why video is a real game changer on Spotify

Spotify shared its own data on the impact of video on listener engagement. The numbers are clear :

Listeners who watch a video on Spotify stream that track 64% more over the following three weeks.
They are 1.4 times more likely to save the track, share it, or add it to a playlist.
They go on to stream 57% more of the artist’s overall catalogue during the same period.
For ‘super listeners’, the effect is even stronger : +62% more streams after watching a video.

Video doesn’t just attract attention. It turns a casual listener into an engaged fan. It’s a lever for deepening the relationship between an artist and their audience.

What types of videos can you pitch and upload?

Spotify accepts several video formats, and high-budget clips are not the only ones that work. Here’s what is eligible :

Official music videos : the flagship visual asset for each release, to be uploaded first.
Live performances : studio sessions, concerts, acoustic performances. These formats often create a more personal connection than polished clips.
Studio sessions : recording footage, instrument breakdowns, production behind-the-scenes. If you’re already paying for studio time, filming costs almost nothing extra.
Acoustic versions : a way to give existing tracks a new life and encourage repeat listening.
Cover performances : still one of the most effective discovery tools, provided you hold the necessary rights.

On the other hand, Spotify does not accept lyric videos, visualisers, multi-track concert films, or videos without associated music.

How to pitch : the rules you need to know

The video pitching process follows a similar logic to audio pitching, with a few specifics to keep in mind :

Pitching window : you can submit an unreleased video, or a video released within the past 7 days.
The video’s audio must exactly match the official recording available on Spotify.
You must own or control all rights to the submitted video.
The video must meet Spotify’s technical specifications and content guidelines.
After submission, Spotify reviews the video before it goes live : do not wait until release day to pitch.

The editorial video playlists for which Spotify may select your content include : Best New Videos, Today’s Top Videos, Live Performances and House Party.

Content strategy : don’t release everything at once

One of Spotify’s key recommendations is to spread video content over time, rather than publishing everything on release day. A phased approach extends the lifespan of each release and creates multiple engagement moments around the same track :

Week 0 : release the single.
Week 1 : upload the official music video.
Week 3 : release an acoustic version.
Week 5 : publish a live session.
Week 7 : upload behind-the-scenes / studio content.

Instead of one day of promotion, you create nearly two months of fresh content around the same track. This approach also works for older catalog titles : adding a new video to an existing release can reignite its exposure on the platform.

Technical best practices before uploading

Upload in the highest quality available.
Use a polished thumbnail where possible.
Check that the audio matches the official Spotify recording exactly.
Upload the video shortly after the single’s release to maintain momentum.
Promote the video on social media as soon as it goes live on Spotify.

What this concretely changes in your release strategy

Video on Spotify is no longer a bonus. It’s a streaming lever in its own right, with its own pitching tool, its own editorial playlists, and its own chart. For independent artists, it’s a real opportunity to deepen the relationship with their audience without leaving the Spotify ecosystem.

The good news : you don’t need a big budget. A carefully filmed live session, an authentic studio recording, a well-framed acoustic performance — these work just as well as produced clips, because listeners are looking above all for a connection with the artist.