Optimizing Your Video File
While no additional steps are required to publish video episodes to Spotify, optimizing your video files can help improve processing and playback performance.
To ensure the best playback experience on Spotify, consider the following when preparing your video files:
- Use a standard format such as MP4.
- Export using a common codec like H.264.
- Aim for 720p to 1080p resolution for a balance of quality and file size.
- Use a constant bitrate (CBR):
- 3 Mbps for 720p
- 5–10 Mbps for 1080p
Spotify will process and optimize your video after upload, and playback quality may vary depending on the listener’s device and connection.
For full technical specifications, see Spotify’s video guidelines.
Publishing Workflow
Once Spotify Video is enabled for your show, you can continue using Libsyn’s standard publishing workflow.
To publish a video episode, upload a video file when creating your episode, and publish as usual. No additional steps are required to send your video to Spotify. See Publish an Episode.
Delivery to Spotify
When you publish a video episode:
- Your video is automatically delivered to Spotify.
- Your audio continues to be distributed via your RSS feed as normal.
You do not need to submit your episode separately to Spotify.
Availability and Playback
After publishing, your video is processed and delivered to Spotify. Availability may take some time and is not always immediate.
On Spotify:
- Listeners have the option to watch or listen to your episode.
- Video playback and the ability to switch to audio-only may vary depending on the listener’s device and app.
Spotify controls how video content is displayed and played within its platform.
Spotify Stats in Libsyn
When your show is connected to Spotify, playback and streaming data from Spotify is available within your Libsyn Stats.
You can use this data to understand how your episodes are performing on Spotify. See View Spotify Stats in Libsyn.
Important Notes About Spotify Video
Spotify Video currently has several platform-specific limitations and behaviors to be aware of.
Spotify for Creators Access
Spotify’s claiming workflow currently prioritizes shows distributed through RSS feeds.
As a result, some Spotify Video shows or video-only listings may have limited access to Spotify for Creators features, including certain analytics and creator tools.
Artwork Management
After enabling Spotify Video, some artwork management options in Spotify for Creators may become unavailable.
To ensure consistent updates, we recommend managing artwork through Libsyn whenever possible.
Episode Management
Some Spotify Video management features may be limited after an episode has been published.
Depending on Spotify’s current platform functionality, certain actions — including removing published video episodes directly through Spotify for Creators — may not always be available.