Spotify for Creators lets you monetize podcasts through ad revenue, premium video revenue, podcast subscriptions (called memberships), and sponsorship management tools so you can manage third-party readout requests.
Let’s take a closer look at each program.
For residents in one of 50+ eligible countries, here are the current requirements as of October 2026:
Are you already hosting your podcast on Acast, Audioboom, Libsyn, Omny, or Podigee? With Spotify’s new Distribution API, you can monetize via the Partner Program without switching hosting platforms. Just keep in mind you still need to meet Spotify’s listener and consumption thresholds.
No matter where it’s hosted, Spotify Partner Program members earn a 50% share of ad revenue generated when free-tier Spotify users listen to or watch your episodes with dynamic ad breaks. You’ll receive your payout via Stripe or Spotify Payouts .
Second, Spotify creators can earn premium video revenue from Spotify Premium subscribers. This happens when users watch your video episodes without ad interruption. These are separate payouts from ads, meaning video podcasters can earn from both streams simultaneously.
What’s the exact amount you can earn from this, you ask? That solely depends on the number of streams you have, and the cost per view or measure of your video.
Before 2026, Spotify for Creators let you release subscriber-only episodes that cost $0.49 to $150 per month for exclusive content. In exchange, Spotify takes a 5.5% payment processing fee plus applicable foreign exchange fees (up to 1.6%).
Spotify has upgraded this feature in October 2026 to ‘Memberships’ instead. This comes with a 10% platform fee. To qualify, you need at least two published episodes and 100 listeners in the last 60 days.
As of April 2026, Spotify lets creators remove, replace, and schedule host-read sponsorships within their episodes. They also offer built-in performance tracking. That way, you can accept sponsorship programs and track potential revenue within the Spotify for Creators app.
Spotify for Creators costs nothing to start. But of your earnings, you’ll pay back 50% of your ad revenue, up to 21% for taxes like VAT, and 17.1% of payment processing, foreign exchange, and platform fees.
Spotify for Creators is completely free to start. But once you subscribe to the Spotify Partner Program, you’ll pay cashout, membership, and subscription transaction fees. You’ll also have to pay extra for integrations, like with Riverside recording.
For example:
Spotify takes a 50% cut of your ad revenue. If a podcast episode brings in $100 USD, you’ll only receive $50 USD through Stripe or Spotify Payouts .
Subscription and membership payments you receive require the following fees:
Payment processing fee: 5.5%
Foreign exchange fee: 0.8% to 1.6%
Platform fee: 10% deducted from net earnings
Taxes: Up to 21% for VAT
Cashing out your podcast earnings will come with additional fees . Keep an eye out for payment processing fees, foreign exchange fees, and cashout fees.
You need to purchase a Riverside plan to record directly to Spotify for Creators. The Pro plan starts at $24 per month billed annually or $35 per month billed monthly.
Spotify’s free tier makes it an ideal first hosting platform, but hosting is just one piece of the launch process. If you’re building a show from scratch, our podcast startup guide covers the 9 steps that come before choosing a host (step 10), from defining your niche to recording your first batch of episodes.
How Do You Host a Podcast on Spotify for Creators?
You can host a podcast on Spotify for Creators by creating an account, uploading your first episode (or syncing the RSS feed), and clicking publish. For bonus points, optimize for Spotify Discovery.
You can publish and host a podcast on Spotify for Creators in three steps:
Create a free Spotify for Creators account Upload your audio or video file (MP3, WAV, MP4, or MOV)Add episode details , like your title and description
Just click Publish , and you’re done. Your podcast can be hosted elsewhere if you want to connect via RSS feed. Otherwise, you can easily host your podcast directly on Spotify for Creators for free.
Now that we’ve looked at these steps from a bird’s-eye view, let’s take a closer look at the specifics of each one.
1. Create a Spotify Creator Account
You can create a Spotify for Creators account on the web, or on the Android or iOS apps.
Keep in mind you can also log in with an existing Spotify account, which might make the process faster if you’ve already created a client-side user.
2. Upload Your First Episode
If you’ve signed up for a brand new account, tap Create a new show in the pop-up screen. Otherwise, in your web dashboard, tap New episode → Select a file.
If you’re working from a mobile app, tap Podcast → + → Select a file.
Are you not using Spotify to host your show? Instead, tap Find an existing show to look up your podcast via RSS feed.
Keep in mind you can upload audio files like MP3, M4A, and WAV. Or, if you’re uploading a video podcast , you can add MOV, MPG, and MP4.
3. Publish a Hosted Show on Spotify for Creators
To publish a podcast on Spotify for Creators, tap on Publish an episode to navigate to the upload screen.
If you don’t already have said content to upload, you can connect with Spotify’s Riverside integration to begin filming. Just keep in mind that Spotify for Creator’s Riverside integration does cost money, starting at $24 per month paid annually (or $35 per month paid monthly).
You can learn more about how The Podcast Consultant uses tools like Riverside here.
If you’re creating a new show: make sure to add your show name, description, and creator name before tapping Publish . You can also select its category and upload language to ensure it reaches the right audience.
If you’re pulling in an existing show for Spotify via RSS, these details should automatically copy over. You can adjust your Spotify show’s RSS feed under Settings → Availability.
Then, enter your podcast’s existing RSS feed.
You’ll have to enter an eight-digit verification code sent to your email address to verify ownership.
What Audio and Video Specifications Do You Need for Spotify Podcast Hosting?
Regardless of the software you choose, be sure you’re recording within Spotify’s audio and video standards . This means you need to make sure your audio or video podcast meets podcast recording and editing quality standards.
The general specifications are as follows:
Specification Recommended Also Compatible File size Less than 10 GB Up to 60 GB Duration Less than 4 hours Up to 12 hours Container format MP4 MOV Video tracks 1 video track — Audio tracks 1 audio track —
You can read our dedicated article on uploading and optimizing your videos on Spotify to learn more.
Looking for the fast specifics? The charts below provide a high-level overview of video versus audio specifications with Spotify for Creators.
Spotify for Creators Video Specifications
Specification Recommended Additional compatibility Codec H.264 or H.265 (HEVC) Other codecs supported Resolution 1080p or higher — Aspect ratio 16:9 widescreen Any ratio supported, although others may show letterboxing Bitrate 1080p: 25 Mbit/s CBR, 4K: 35 Mbit/s CBR Any bitrate within file size limits Frame rate 24, 25, 30, 50, or 60 FPS — Keyframe interval ~1 keyframe per second Minimum is 1 per 60 seconds Colorspace Rec.709 Rec.2020 Color bit depth 8-bit or 10-bit (4:2:0, 4:2:2, 4:4:4) — Dynamic range Standard (SDR Rec.709) HDR Rec.2100 (tone-mapped to SDR) Scan type Progressive —
Spotify for Creators Audio Specifications
Specification Recommended Also Compatible Codec AAC-LC, PCM, or FLAC Other codecs supported Bitrate 128 Kbps or higher Any bitrate Channels Stereo Mono (upmixed to stereo), 5.1 surround (downmixed to stereo)
4. Bonus: Optimize for Spotify Discovery
Spotify for Creators offers something we’ll dub ‘Discovery feeds ,’ which help users find new podcasts and content to enjoy. This is a powerful tool for growing your audience, but only if you know how to leverage it correctly.
Clips and Previews
Spotify can help you reach new users by advertising ‘snippets’ through Discovery feeds. These feeds introduce new viewers to your subject matter and content via Clips (short vertical videos) and Previews (small snippets of your actual episode).
You’re required to upload Spotify Clips manually, which means you’re responsible for the editing process, as well as following all content guidelines and rules. You must also adhere to the following requirements:
15 to 90 seconds long max
1 GB size max
.MP4 or .MOV
Spotify Previews can be generated with AI, which means you don’t need to spend time editing them yourself. You can enable them in your platform by:
Tapping Settings
Scrolling down to Only on Spotify
Toggling Episode previews on and selecting your preview type
Clicking Save
Podcast Artwork and Thumbnails
Spotify allows you to add podcast cover art by tapping Settings → About on the web app only. It recommends the following dos and don’ts for new podcasters:
A dimensions ratio of 1:1 (like 1400×1400 or 3000×3000 pixels)
Simple or minimalist colors
Easy-to-read font
Of course, you may require a few additional tools, including Canva, Photoshop, or other similar platforms. You can learn more about the details in our guide to building your podcast brand .
Spotify has the following requirements for podcast thumbnails:
Horizontal
16:9 aspect ratio
Suggested resolution of 1920 x 1080
Learn more about designing podcast artwork .
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Episode Descriptions and Category Selection
Episode descriptions can help you boost discoverability, give context to viewers, and ultimately drive engagement. A great description should tell listeners what to expect, tease key insights or guest highlights, and offer a reason to hit “play.”
Some pointers on episode descriptions:
Include relevant keywords near the top of your description.
Break long paragraphs into digestible lines or bullets.
End with a call-to-action, such as subscribing to your podcast, rating the show, or becoming a patron to watch a bonus episode.
Spotify lets you choose a single primary category for your show, which helps its machine learning algorithm recommend your show to the right listeners. It also helps your podcast show up in the search results more accurately. But remember: you only have one tag, so use it wisely.
Here’s how to get the most out of your category selections:
Try to get as specific as possible. For example, you might select ‘Investing’ instead of just ‘Business’ to better direct listeners to your show. Do your best not to overuse generic tags. Instead, consider focusing on keywords that your ideal listener would search for. Being hyper-niche and specific may be helpful here. Revisit your category choices periodically. If your content direction shifts, your category should reflect that.
What Are the Key Features of Spotify for Creators?
Spotify for Creators’ best features include the Riverside integration, podcast analytics, audience feedback, and video podcasts.
Spotify for Creators lets you publish and host podcasts instantly via Riverside, set up a podcast analytics dashboard, access audience feedback tools, and host video podcasts, if that’s something you choose to do.
Here’s why you might pick Spotify for Creators as your podcast host:
Browser Recording via Riverside
Spotify for Creators doesn’t come with built-in recording technology (since it was sunset in 2026). Instead, you’ll need to source podcast recording software to get up and running.
One of the most popular of these is Riverside.fm, which natively integrates with Spotify for Creators. But keep in mind it might not offer all the functionality you need (like in-depth editing tools), so you may need to purchase podcast editing software separately.
Spotify for Creators uses a native Riverside integration so podcasters can record episodes directly in their browser. To access recording, you’ll need a paid Riverside plan. That lets you record your podcast in real-time, use transcript-based editing, and publish directly to Spotify. Keep in mind this integration replaced Spotify’s previous Music+Talk tool , meaning creators can no longer add background music from Spotify’s sound library or upload more than one file at a time through the mobile app.
Podcast Analytics
Like many other podcast hosting tools, Spotify offers a detailed analytics dashboard . You can use this tool to evaluate podcast listener demographics, listener behaviors, and common devices:
Age and gender
Geographic location
Popular episodes
Device listeners
Impressions data
Episode drop-off
Viewers vs listeners
Watch hours vs watch percent
You should know Spotify for Creators relies on aggregate podcast trends and doesn’t track or collect individual podcast listener data. This means you’re only seeing generalized changes, and not necessarily a detailed breakdown of individuals.
Audience Feedback
Spotify for Creators allows you to engage with your audience using polls, Q&A sessions, and listener comments.
With polls , you can set up a question-based answering system that keeps your audience engaged and intrigued with your show. Those who engage can see how other audience members answered immediately after submitting their responses.
With Q&A sessions , you can ask your listeners questions directly. These responses are private and shared only between you and your listener. However, you could also pin your favorite responses, publicly sharing the respondent’s username.
With listener comments , you can keep an eye on audience sentiment and monitor changes in how they view your show. Spotify offers tools to like, respond, and even pin your favorite comments, which shows your listeners you care about their thoughts.
Video Podcasts
Spotify for Creators supports native video podcast hosting at no cost. Over 430,000 video podcasts are on Spotify, and creators can upload MP4 or MOV files in 16:9 widescreen up to 12 hours long. Video podcasters earn both ad revenue and Premium video revenue.
You can use Spotify for Creators to publish video versions of your show—a feature that even paid hosting platforms rarely offer. Now that two in three podcast listeners prefer video over audio, this could be an excellent opportunity to upgrade your podcast audio to video .
Direct browser recording requires a paid Riverside plan (Pro plan at $29/month billed monthly, or $24/month billed annually). However, you can record video independently with a camera setup and upload the file directly to Spotify for Creators without a Riverside subscription. This is a common workflow for our clients who already use dedicated recording equipment.
TPC Recommendation: For financial advisors adding video for the first time, we typically recommend uploading pre-recorded video files rather than using browser recording. This separates the recording workflow from the hosting decision and avoids adding the Riverside subscription cost until the show has an established production rhythm.
Alternatives to Spotify for Creators for Podcast Hosting
The best podcast hosting alternatives to Spotify for Creators are Buzzsprout, Simplecast, Blubrry, and Captivate.
If your show isn’t a fit for Spotify for Creators, you may want to consider its paid-for alternative. Megaphone by Spotify, which is specifically designed for podcasting businesses, starts at $99 USD per month.
Don’t want to host your show on Spotify at all ?
One of these four alternatives may be a fit:
Spotify for Creators vs Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is a beginner-friendly podcast host with a clean interface, IAB-certified analytics, and reliable distribution. These are all areas where Spotify for Creators has limitations. Unlike Spotify, Buzzsprout doesn’t take a cut of your revenue , and its analytics are certified to the industry standard required by most podcast sponsors.
Buzzsprout has three pricing tiers:
Audio: $15 per month for up to 72 hours of podcasts per year, podcast directory listings, advanced stats, unlimited episodes, premium websites, and monetization featuresAudio + Video: $25 per month for up to 72 hours of video podcasts per year, publication access to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, 1080p video resolution, and visual soundbitesMulti-Podcasting: $30 to $80 per month for audio or video podcasts, up to a max of 420 hours per year, and up to 10 podcasts max
Keep in mind you’ll need to purchase add-ons for Magic Mastering and the AI Cohost.
TPC Recommendation: Buzzsprout’s $15/month plan covers the majority of our financial advisor clients producing weekly 30 to 45 minute episodes, with room to spare.
Our complete guide to Buzzsprout covers all these details and more.
Spotify for Creators vs Simplecast
Simplecast is an end-to-end podcast hosting platform designed to host and distribute your podcast on various platforms. They offer the basic features you might expect — think RSS feeds and one-click publishing — as well as advanced features such as custom podcast websites .
Simplecast starts at $13.50 USD per month, which makes it more expensive than Spotify for Creators. However, keep in mind you’ll take home 70% of your earnings, which is 20% more than Spotify provides.
See our full review of Simplecast on our blog.
Spotify for Creators vs Blubrry
One of the oldest podcast hosts is a cloud-based tool called Blubrry . With this platform, you can design a free WordPress site, develop a podcast media kit, and use the Podcast AI Assistant (PAI) to generate clips and social media posts.
Unlike the video podcasting tool offered by Spotify for Creators, you can use Blubrry to convert video podcasts into audio. You can also access advanced analytics, which are IAB-certified (and therefore cost extra per month).
See our full breakdown on Blubrry here.
Spotify for Creators vs Captivate
Captivate is a growth-oriented podcast host with IAB-certified analytics, built-in monetization tools (listener tips, subscriptions, exclusive content), and a dedicated podcast website included on every plan. Unlike Spotify for Creators, Captivate lets you retain all revenue from listener subscriptions, with no platform revenue share.
Captivate pricing in 2026 (paid yearly) includes:
Personal: $17 per month for up to 30,000 downloads per month, unlimited podcasts, unlimited uploads and storage, and extensive distribution to all major podcast directoriesProfessional: $44 per month for up to 150,000 downloads per monthBusiness: $90 per month for up to 300,000 downloads per month
All plans include a 30-day free trial with access to all features. The only variable between plans is your monthly download ceiling, not storage or feature access.
Choose Captivate over Spotify for Creators if: you need IAB-certified analytics for sponsor reporting, want to keep 100% of subscription revenue, or are managing multiple podcast shows from one account.
See our guide on Captivate for more analysis.
The Bottom Line on Spotify for Creators
At a Glance: Spotify for Creators is good podcast hosting platform to start with. But as you grow, you get what you pay for. There are many other hosting platforms offering higher than 50% of ad revenue, plus additional revenue streams and lower transaction fees.
It’s hard to object to a free podcast hosting platform . And with Spotify for Creators, you can make money without spending a dime. You can record directly in your browser, publish both video and audio episodes, and then monitor their reception with polls, comments, and podcast analytics.
Of course, Spotify for Creators isn’t a 360-degree platform; you’ll still need pre- and post-production support to make your podcast successful. That’s why today’s most successful shows turn to agencies like The Podcast Consultant . From video production to remote recording , we make it easy to launch at a pace that works for you.booking a discovery call with The Podcast Consultant.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Spotify for Creators
How do I upload a video podcast to Spotify?
Log into your Spotify for Creators account on the web (video uploads are not available via mobile). Click New Episode, add your episode title and description, and click Publish. Your video must use H.264 or H.265 encoding with AAC-LC audio at 192 Kbps or higher. Maximum duration is 12 hours. You can also replace existing audio-only episodes with video versions without creating a new episode.
How can I watch video podcasts on Spotify?
Video podcasts play automatically when you open an episode that has a video version in the Spotify app on mobile, desktop, or web. Spotify displays a video player above the episode description. Listeners can switch between video and audio-only playback at any time. Spotify Premium subscribers watch video episodes without ad interruption, generating Premium video revenue for the creator.
How do I add video to my existing Spotify podcast?
In your Spotify for Creators dashboard, find the audio-only episode you want to upgrade. Click the three dots next to the episode title, select Upload Video, and choose your MP4 or MOV file. Preview the episode to verify audio and video sync, then publish. The video version replaces the audio-only version on Spotify while remaining audio-only on other podcast platforms where you distribute via RSS.
Is Spotify for Creators free?
Yes, Spotify for Creators offers free unlimited podcast hosting with no monthly fees, storage limits, or setup costs. But if you want to record podcasts directly to the platform, you’ll need to purchase a Riverside.fm plan and integrate with it. That starts at $35 per month billed monthly, or $24 per month billed annually.
Plus, Spotify for Creators takes a 50% share of advertising revenue generated through the Partner Program. You’ll pay around 15.5% for subscription or membership fees as well. Additional payment processing fees may apply when withdrawing earnings through Spotify Payouts.
What are the Spotify Partner Program requirements in 2026?
As of October 7, 2026, you need:
A legal address in one of 56 eligible countries
Three published episodes
2,000 hours consumed on Spotify in the last 30 days
1,000 engaged listeners on Spotify in the last 30 days
You can apply through the Monetize tab in your Spotify for Creators account.
How much can you earn on Spotify for Creators?
Spotify paid its creators over $100 million in Q1 2025, with hundreds earning $10,000 or more monthly. The platform offers a 50% share of ad revenue plus additional Premium video revenue for video podcasters with users from Spotify Premium subscribers.
Does Spotify for Creators support video podcasts?
Yes, Spotify for Creators fully supports native video podcast hosting at no extra cost. Over 430,000 video podcasts are hosted on Spotify, and monthly video consumption has nearly doubled since the Partner Program launched in January 2025. Video podcasters can earn both ad revenue and Premium video revenue.
Which countries are eligible for Spotify Partner Program?
As of October 26, 2026, the Spotify Partner Program is available in:
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Iceland
Ireland
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Monaco
Netherlands
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Canada
United States
Australia
New Zealand
Andorra
Italy
Malta
Poland
San Marino
Spain
Antigua and Barbuda
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Costa Rica
Curaçao
Dominica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Grenada
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Which podcast hosting platforms work with Spotify’s Distribution API?
As of October 2026, Spotify’s Distribution API is compatible with:
Acast
Audioboom
Libsyn
Omny
Podigee
Audiomeans
Podspace
Creators on these platforms can publish video to Spotify and earn both Premium video revenue and ad revenue through the Partner Program without switching hosting platforms. Additional partners are expected to be added.
Can you distribute to Apple Podcasts from Spotify for Creators?
Yes, Spotify for Creators generates an RSS feed so you can submit to Apple Podcasts and other directories. But unlike paid podcast hosts offering one-click distribution, you will need to manually submit your RSS feed through Apple Podcasts Connect.
