An accompanying music video, released simultaneously with the song, was filmed in Puerto Rico and directed by Abner Maldonado.

On January 4, 2019, Rauw Alejandro shared a video of Chencho Corleone listening to a snippet of their collaboration, announcing its title as "El Efecto".

[3] The song was released for digital download and streaming by Duars Entertainment on the specified date,[4] marking the first collaboration between Alejandro and Corleone.

[6] The visual was directed by Abner Maldonado, produced by Ivan Joel, and filmed at Asere restaurant in Puerto Rico.

[7] Spanish actress and model Ester Expósito shared a video of herself, dancing to "El Efecto" on Instagram, that went viral and increased the popularity of the song.

[8][9][10] During an interview with Los 40, Alejandro revealed that he talks with Expósito via Instagram Direct and complimented her, saying: "She dances well, she is very talented.

[12] However, Alejandro denied the rumors, stating: "What happens these days is that if they see you with a girl, they already start saying 'they're together' [...] Can't I have friends?

They described its rhythm as "catchy" and highlighted its melody and Alejandro's "own style" that makes the audience "unable to stop listening to it".

[18] In 2022, the staff listed "El Efecto" among Corleone's five collaborations with which the artist has made history, noting the singers' voices that "manage to blend perfectly".

[19] In the same year, Ernesto Lechner from Rolling Stone ranked the track as Alejandro's 19th-best song, praising "Chencho's manic delivery, juxtaposed with Rauw's laid-back charm".

It subsequently peaked at number 22 and was certified platinum by the Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI), for track-equivalent sales of over 70,000 units in the country.

[35] Linda Yicela Hernández Sanchez from Colombia.com gave "El Efecto (Remix)" a positive review, naming the singers "some of the most exceptional talents of current urban music".