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Vevo Video & Thumbnail Specifications
Vevo Video & Thumbnail Specifications

What are VEVO' s video and thumbnail specifications?

Keiran Johnson avatar
Written by Keiran Johnson
Updated over 6 months ago

VEVO Thumbnail Specifications


File Naming Convention:

No spaces or special characters ( : ! # , @ $ % ? “ ‘ & *) to precede extension only.


Thumbnail Specifications:

File Format: .jpg or .png

Dimensions: Must be at least 1280 x 720

Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Thumbnails are subject to YouTube's specifications and guidelines, more on this can be found here: Video thumbnails - YouTube Help (google.com)


VEVO Thumbnail Specifications (HD Video Spec)


Dimensions: 1920x1080. Note: 16:9 and 4:3 are preferred aspect ratios. Providing alternate aspect ratios risks letterboxing, scaling and stretching of content to fit target aspect rations.

Frame Rate: Minimum 29.97 fps (preferred) or higher.

File Format: .mov or .mp4

Compression Type: H.264


Advanced Video Recommendations:

  • Bit Rate: We recommend that you restrict your video bitrate to a minimum of 24mb/s. This will help you cut down on file size, lengthy encoding, exporting and file transfer times. Bit Rate should not exceed 50mb/s.

  • File must be de-Interlaced (Please, No Interlacing)
    What is interlacing? -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interlaced_video

  • Multi-pass encoding is recommended, but not required.

Please export all encodes using Compressor or QuickTime. We cannot support editing program artefacts such as “edit lists” or “zero offsets” embedded in the files.

Do not send anamorphic content. All content display and pixel aspect ratios should be the same. Do not include front or end slates (displaying metadata), title or end cards, bars and tones, etc.

Audio Specifications:

Format: AAC

Channels: Stereo (L R)

Sample Rate: 44.100 kHz

Bit Rate: 320 kbps CBR

Video Content Best Practices:

We ask that you contribute to a clean, evergreen and premium music video experience on the Vevo platform with content that can serve an On-Demand & Lean Back (linear) audience and does not conflict with their advertisers.

Note: Vevo may (at any time, for any documented or undocumented reason) reject, issue deletes and/or ask you to remove content that:

  • Does not meet their required tech spec

  • Takes away from a premium music video experience

  • Violates their guidelines and policy

  • Violates YouTube’s Terms Of Service

Scrolling Credits are acceptable if they are integrated into the video tastefully with accompanying music and visuals. Vevo will not accept plain text credits that appear against a black screen without music and/or visuals.

Vevo Specifications

The following promo materials are OK to include in your video


Hashtags

Album/Single Pack Shots (Cover Art)

Can be displayed at the end of the video for up to 3 seconds (if combined with other promo items). Packshots are acceptable throughout audio videos.


Cover art at the end of your video SHOULD NOT contain


  • Dates of releases or tours.

  • URLs, Twitter Handles, Instagram Handles.

  • Digital/physical retail or DSP callouts/buttons.

Out 21 August 2015 smart-link

Production Company, Label, Artist Management, Charitable Foundation Logos


  • Can display at the end of the video for no more than 3 seconds (if combined with other promo items, the total display time for all promo items should not exceed 3 seconds)

L3s are acceptable for Non-Official content (BTS, webisode, live, studio etc.)


Vevo Restrictions
Promo Materials NOT accepted by VEVO

The following promo materials are NOT OK to include in your video:

  • Cards/Slates that appear at the beginning of the video

  • Cards/Slates that appear at the end of the video for more than 3 seconds (total)

  • Burned in logos

  • Brand/Product Logos/text that could be considered an “Ad” or endorsement that would conflict with the Ads Vevo (and YouTube) serve

Katy Perry Image showing an advertisement style.
  • Chyrons & Lower Thirds

  • Months/Dates/Year callouts

  • URLs, Twitter Handles, Instagram Handles

  • Digital/Physical retail or DSP callouts/buttons

  • End Cards for the purpose of YouTube Annotations

If you have any questions about Vevo Video & Thumbnail Specifications, feel free to contact our team via our live chat service.

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