Spotify has unveiled a significant update, enabling all users to deactivate video content within the app, as announced on Thursday. This new feature allows individuals to select between an audio-centric experience or one that includes videos, enhancing user engagement.
Beginning today, Family Plan managers can toggle video settings for any member of their plan directly from their subscription preferences. Previously, this control was limited to accounts managed for users under 13 years old, with Spotify noting that 60% of these young users had their video options disabled by their guardians.
Furthermore, both Premium and Basic users across all plans--including Individual, Duo, Family, and Student--as well as those utilizing the free version, can now manage how video content is displayed in their app.
To access these new settings, users need to go to their app settings and select the "Content and display" option. Here, they can easily turn off the app's "Canvas" visuals or videos associated with music and podcasts. Once preferences are set, they will apply across all devices, including mobile, desktop, web, and TV.
Spotify is rolling out this update globally this month. The company stated, "Listeners can now choose exactly how they want to engage with the videos that amplify music, podcasts, and audiobooks on Spotify. Control changes everything. Time stops feeling wasted and starts feeling owned."
It's important to note that while users can disable video content, they will still encounter video advertisements and Canvas-like visuals on certain audio ads.
Since launching its Canvas feature in 2018 and expanding into video podcasts in 2020, Spotify has increasingly integrated video into its platform. The addition of music video support in 2024 aimed to enhance competition with platforms like YouTube. By offering users the choice to disable videos, Spotify is likely addressing concerns from regulators and lawmakers regarding the impact of video content on younger audiences, while also catering to users who prefer a purely musical experience.
