Music streaming service Spotify is letting listeners part ways with videos in the app. The company announced on Thursday that those on free and paid plans will be able to turn off videos for music or podcasts, as well as Canvas looping visuals, with a new update. Canvas refers to the short, looping videos you see during some songs.
In a statement, Spotify said that people on Premium, Basic and its free service can sidestep unwanted videos with the settings update, which will start rolling out globally this month. While that upgrade is for all Spotify music listeners, the company is also bringing a new option specifically to family plan managers starting on Thursday. While managers could previously switch videos off for listeners aged under 13 on managed accounts, they can now adjust the setting for any family plan member account.
Opting out of videos should be easy, but it wasn't showing up on my account yet.
SpotifySpotify said the new controls allow listeners to opt "to maintain an audio-first experience or layer in a richer, video-enhanced one."
If you turn off videos, you'll still see video ads and Canvas-like visuals on some audio ads, according to Spotify.
A representative for Spotify did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Spotify increased prices earlier this year, raising the Premium Individual subscription to $13 per month, and the more recently-announced features include Taste Profile and Promoted Playlist. I wasn't able to turn off Spotify videos yet, but here's how the company says it will work.
- Go to Settings on Spotify.
- Locate Content and display.
- Choose to turn Canvas looping visuals or videos for music or podcasts on or off.
- The preferences you pick will apply to mobile, desktop, TV and web.
