Engage fans with display ads on Spotify
Spotify display ads appear in the app or web player when listeners are actively using it—choosing their next playlist, browsing new music, or pausing mid-session.
Why display ads on Spotify
Display ads on Spotify run across high-attention placements including the Now Playing view, the Browse/Search screen, and Spotify-owned playlists, when listeners are actively engaging with the app. That means your ad appears in a moment of genuine attention—on a screen a listener has chosen to open—and stays visible without interrupting the streaming experience.
In-focus time on Spotify is up (+38% YoY in the US) driven by surging video consumption, which unlocks more visual, multi-format opportunities for advertisers¹
Spotify ads capture 2X more attention than social media platforms, and 93% of engagement with Spotify content translates directly to engagement with ads²
For more on how display advertising works across platforms, visit our display advertising guide.
Display ad formats on Spotify
Display advertising on Spotify is available through three buying paths:
- Spotify Ads Manager: self-serve
- Spotify Ad Exchange: programmatic
- Direct IO: managed service
The display formats and specifications available through each buying path differ. Here's how that breaks down.
Leaderboard display
Leaderboard is a high-visibility horizontal banner available exclusively via Spotify Ad Exchange. It appears on desktop Browse/Search screens only and is best suited to large-scale awareness campaigns bought programmatically. Your ad is the only message shown for 30 seconds, maximizing visibility in a high-impact moment.
Explore → leaderboard ads: specs and how to get started
Carousel ads
Carousel ads let you feature up to six images in a single swipeable unit in the Now Playing view, each with its own URL, tagline, and optional price overlay. They run on desktop and mobile.
Use carousel ads to showcase a product range, run a promotion with multiple offers, or build a sequential brand story across cards.
Carousel ads are only available in Spotify Ads Manager.
Explore → carousel ads: specs and how to get started
Display formats availability by activation channel
| Format | Spotify Ads Manager | Direct IO | Spotify Ad Exchange |
| In-feed display — Now Playing view | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (spec differences apply) |
| In-feed display — Browse screen | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (spec differences apply) |
| In-feed display — Spotify-owned Playlists | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (spec differences apply) |
| Carousel ads | ✓ | — | — |
| Leaderboard | — | — | ✓ (desktop only) |
| Separate logo / tagline / CTA fields | ✓ | ✓ | — |
Display ads as part of a multi-format strategy
Display ads work best as part of a broader campaign. Internal analysis shows that Spotify's highest-performing campaigns lead with audio and use display to reinforce the visual identity across the funnel.
A typical high-performing Spotify campaign looks like this:³
- 70%+ audio
- 10–20% video
- Up to 20% display
Display is most effective when it aligns visually with your audio messaging—consistent creative themes, matching brand colors (with the audio companion banner), and a clear call to action across formats.
2.5x
greater message association from audio, video, and display campaigns vs. video-only⁴
90%
increase in incremental sales from running video, display, and audio vs. audio alone⁵
45%
increase in ROAS from running audio, video, and display vs. audio alone⁶
Display ads vs. other Spotify ad formats
The right format depends on your campaign objective and how you want listeners to experience your brand.
- Audio ads: reach listeners across music and podcasts even when the screen is off; effective for upper-funnel awareness
- Video ads: combine moving image with audio for high-impact, full-screen moments
- Carousel ads: multi-card display for product showcases, seasonal promotions, and brand storytelling
Campaign objectives
Display ads on Spotify support the following campaign objectives:
- Reach
- Impressions
- Clicks
- Website traffic
- App installs
Frequently asked questions
Spotify Ads Manager supports in-feed display ads and carousel ads. In-feed display automatically serves across the Now Playing view, Browse/Search, and Spotify-owned Playlists—you can't select a specific placement.
No. Leaderboard display ads are only available via Spotify Ad Exchange and serve on desktop surfaces only.
Not yet. Carousel ads are available through Spotify Ads Manager via self-serve and managed service. For programmatic options via Spotify Ad Exchange, contact your Spotify representative.
Get started with
display ads on Spotify
Sources & References