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Agency Based Discussion => Adobe Stock => Topic started by: heywoody on March 05, 2012, 17:41

Title: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: heywoody on March 05, 2012, 17:41
Could be just a blip but Feb was 50% above normal and I seem to be getting more dls per week than I'm used to getting per month - more dls than even SS in the last week.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: wut on March 05, 2012, 17:44
Could be just a blip but Feb was 50% above normal and I seem to be getting more dls per week than I'm used to getting per month - more dls than even SS in the last week.

Yes, it was up, earnings doubled, but still at less than 15% of SS for me
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Suljo on March 05, 2012, 17:58
Could be just a blip but Feb was 50% above normal and I seem to be getting more dls per week than I'm used to getting per month - more dls than even SS in the last week.

Jezz you a selling tutorial Poser, DAZ and other low polly models as you own work?!?
unbelievable
Prepare you self to be kicked off really soon from most agencies...
[sse][/sse]
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: heywoody on March 05, 2012, 18:19
Could be just a blip but Feb was 50% above normal and I seem to be getting more dls per week than I'm used to getting per month - more dls than even SS in the last week.

Jezz you a selling tutorial Poser, DAZ and other low polly models as you own work?!?
unbelievable
Prepare you self to be kicked off really soon from most agencies...
[sse][/sse]

No, I’m not selling models, I’m licensing images created using (mostly) 3rd party models with EULAs  appropriate for this use.  This is exactly the same as a photographer creating images of objects or models not created by him/herself.   Two further points (assuming you make images and the depicted models):
Unless you’re writing the actual code you are using tools just as I am, the only difference is the degree of separation from the final image,
If you can produce better models than those available from Poser or Daz, you could probably make much more doing that than selling penny stock.


Edit – had a look at your port on IS expecting to see Mark Evans style images.  Instead I see snapshots of luggage, photo frames etc, presumably without a licence from the manufacturers.  Sorry, but you simply don’t have the credentials to make that kind of statement.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: lisafx on March 05, 2012, 18:24
Nope, no sales increase here.  But then, I am an Emerald, and they decided some time last year to rig their search engine against high ranking (expensive) members.  Bet they're saving a bundle in royalties.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: THP Creative on March 05, 2012, 18:52
Sales have definitely improved for me. Getting way more than I used to, but royalties are just SO LOW.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: wut on March 05, 2012, 19:05
Sales have definitely improved for me. Getting way more than I used to, but royalties are just SO LOW.

Indeed they are. But still, it can be a lot worse at other sites, at 123RF you get payed for a full sized DL (21 mpix in my case) the same as at FT for an M (2 mpix) DL
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: heywoody on March 05, 2012, 19:21
Also helps if you get paid in euros  ;)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: wut on March 05, 2012, 19:29
Also helps if you get paid in euros  ;)

Unfortunately I don't...
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Paulo M. F. Pires on March 05, 2012, 20:00
As I said in other topic somewhere , I notice an increase on the begin of the year ( more daily sales ), including weekends. But not yet enough to call my next daughter as "Fotolia Junior" :D
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: ayzek on March 06, 2012, 02:27
Could be just a blip but Feb was 50% above normal and I seem to be getting more dls per week than I'm used to getting per month - more dls than even SS in the last week.

Jezz you a selling tutorial Poser, DAZ and other low polly models as you own work?!?
unbelievable
Prepare you self to be kicked off really soon from most agencies...
[sse][/sse]

No, I’m not selling models, I’m licensing images created using (mostly) 3rd party models with EULAs  appropriate for this use.  This is exactly the same as a photographer creating images of objects or models not created by him/herself.   Two further points (assuming you make images and the depicted models):

i bought many of the Evermotion models and i get personally stock use permissions from them but istock told me that i can only use my own models:(   they dont care about right EULA.
They also told that we can not use stock photo or other textures for our models texture. we need to create them also:(
i agree with you. We should use models and Textures in our scenes to be more creative but also there must be some restriction about using models and texture to prevent people to use them main subject.
Agencies have educated inspectors for Copyrights and trade marks but dont have educated inspectors for 3D scenes this subjects. They choose easiest way and they say that you can not use models and texture if you are not their owners. There is many contributors that using evermotion models and well known textures. i dont know how they will prevent this.
Also they are not officially saying that but in the forums some people told that you can use models if its not main subject and not bigger than 20% of scene :(
Anyway i dont use any textures and models that i am not owner.

 
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: heywoody on March 06, 2012, 06:24
If you think about it, the purpose of these models is to be used to create images.  If the situation arose where such images couldn't be used commercially the creators of the models would be less happy than the creators of the subsequent images because THEIR sales would go down the toilet - it would be like saying that a designer couldn't incorporate a stock image purchased for a project.  The big 4 have absolutely no problem with such images at the moment as they understand the licencing - some like the style of image less than others though.  Some of the same restrictions that apply to photographs still apply, e.g. I couldn't do superman and batman even if I made the costumes myself for copyright reasons and SS have stopped 3D renders of furniture, not because of 3rd party models, but the risk that the models might be based on actual furniture designs and they have quite a lot of these already.  Dunno about evermotion, must google them.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: dreamstock on March 06, 2012, 06:36
increase? yes.

big? no.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: andresr on March 06, 2012, 07:31
Nope, no sales increase here.  But then, I am an Emerald, and they decided some time last year to rig their search engine against high ranking (expensive) members.  Bet they're saving a bundle in royalties.

+1
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: lagereek on March 06, 2012, 08:35
Nope, no sales increase here.  But then, I am an Emerald, and they decided some time last year to rig their search engine against high ranking (expensive) members.  Bet they're saving a bundle in royalties.

Not by much but its noticable, I didnt know they rig their search against high ranking members? Im Gold myself.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: gostwyck on March 06, 2012, 08:49
Nope, no sales increase here.  But then, I am an Emerald, and they decided some time last year to rig their search engine against high ranking (expensive) members.  Bet they're saving a bundle in royalties.

I suspect it may have more to do with customer resistance to higher-priced images. FT have been steadily reducing the upper tier price levels available to high ranking contributors for some time, presumably because of this. I'm not yet Emerald but my sales are well down at FT too. It seems to me that SS are collecting customers from IS, FT and DT.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: lagereek on March 06, 2012, 09:00
Nope, no sales increase here.  But then, I am an Emerald, and they decided some time last year to rig their search engine against high ranking (expensive) members.  Bet they're saving a bundle in royalties.

I suspect it may have more to do with customer resistance to higher-priced images. FT have been steadily reducing the upper tier price levels available to high ranking contributors for some time, presumably because of this. I'm not yet Emerald but my sales are well down at FT too. It seems to me that SS are collecting customers from IS, FT and DT.

Yes, SS, is certainly collecting from IS, thats for sure, I dont know about FT and DT, I am doing pretty well at both of these.  I do know this, should anything happen to SS, God forbidd, we are all, bang in trouble.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: wut on March 06, 2012, 09:01
Nope, no sales increase here.  But then, I am an Emerald, and they decided some time last year to rig their search engine against high ranking (expensive) members.  Bet they're saving a bundle in royalties.

I suspect it may have more to do with customer resistance to higher-priced images. FT have been steadily reducing the upper tier price levels available to high ranking contributors for some time, presumably because of this. I'm not yet Emerald but my sales are well down at FT too. It seems to me that SS are collecting customers from IS, FT and DT.

I'd say especially DT, not judging by my sales which are not even worth mentioning, but by the thread is DT still alive, in which just about everyone has seen a (big) drop in sales (save for an exclusive or two)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: luissantos84 on March 06, 2012, 09:27
September 2011   100    
October 2011       108    
November 2011    129    
December 2011    103    
January 2012        119    
February 2012      152

I do see an increase as a low earner, I am Silver for only 2 months, only 67 files in the last 6 months
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: hofhoek on March 06, 2012, 09:41
I see quite some increase at FT (I think I am silver but since they changed the site I don't know where to find this anymore). This week 300% more than DT which is very unusual. As they pay so little for a download I haven't uploaded images in the last year apart from about twenty in january to see how new images go. SS is not doing too well for me though. Today so far I sold 3 (!) which is a WDE (since 2007) for me.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: tab62 on March 06, 2012, 10:21
Decrease for me to include all others stocks companies... :-\
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: heywoody on March 06, 2012, 11:07
The reason I asked is that I've seen a statistically huge rise (although we are talking actual small numbers) during Feb and going into March together with comments made by various people on the DT thread Wut mentioned.  I have a sense from the responses that there is generally a noticable increase (lower prices???) with probably a temporary blip also as far as I'm concerned.  For the real players who seem to be holding their own in the face of more competition and whose ports will be (statistically) not growing month to month, I wonder if no reduction could be regarded in the same way as an increase for the rest of us?
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: luissantos84 on March 06, 2012, 12:28
I am doing well in FT (looking at my own numbers comparing to DT, IS, 123RF) but I decided to make some calculations to understand how fair the royalties are, I "don´t understand" why they are the only agency not paying what a buyer actually PAID for (IS, DT, 123RF, SS don´t do this)

($ 1.30 / credit) 25 credits = $ 32.50 15.38%
($ 1.27 / credit) 51 credits = $ 65.00 15.74%
($ 1.26 / credit) 103 credits = $ 130.00 15.87%
($ 1.18 / credit) 275 credits = $ 325.00 16.94%
($ 1.08 / credit) 600 credits = $ 650.00 18.51$
($ 0.96 / credit) 1,350 credits = $ 1,300.00 20.83%
($ 0.87 / credit) 3,000 credits = $ 2,600.00 22.98%
($ 0.74 / credit) 7,000 credits = $ 5,200.00 27.02%
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: heywoody on March 06, 2012, 13:25
I am doing well in FT (looking at my own numbers comparing to DT, IS, 123RF) but I decided to make some calculations to understand how fair the royalties are, I "don´t understand" why they are the only agency not paying what a buyer actually PAID for (IS, DT, 123RF, SS don´t do this)

Doesn't SS do the same as we get fixed amounts for credit sales irrespective of the buyer package?
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: luissantos84 on March 06, 2012, 13:50
I am doing well in FT (looking at my own numbers comparing to DT, IS, 123RF) but I decided to make some calculations to understand how fair the royalties are, I "don´t understand" why they are the only agency not paying what a buyer actually PAID for (IS, DT, 123RF, SS don´t do this)

Doesn't SS do the same as we get fixed amounts for credit sales irrespective of the buyer package?

I believe we cannot add SS to the equation, not only because they are mostly subscription (I have 69% subs) and even if we make calculations 200EUR (263$) for 750 pictures (0.35$) and YES buyers may not donwload all 750 but any person can reach the 0.36$ rate quite fast, we need to add the fact that they never claimed or talked about this or that %, they always had flat rates

regarding OD, the all size, is 51$ for 5 files, 10.2$ (the most expensive) there is one for 25 files for 235$, 9.4$

Earnings per Download   Lifetime Earnings
$1.88   Less than $500 - 18.4% - 20%
$2.48   $500 to $3,000 - 24.3% - 26.4%
$2.70   $3,000 to $10,000 - 26.4% - 28.7%
$2.85   Over $10,000 - 27.9% - 30.3%
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: wut on March 06, 2012, 14:03
I am doing well in FT (looking at my own numbers comparing to DT, IS, 123RF) but I decided to make some calculations to understand how fair the royalties are, I "don´t understand" why they are the only agency not paying what a buyer actually PAID for (IS, DT, 123RF, SS don´t do this)

Doesn't SS do the same as we get fixed amounts for credit sales irrespective of the buyer package?

I believe we cannot add SS to the equation, not only because they are mostly subscription (I have 69% subs) and even if we make calculations 200EUR (263$) for 750 pictures (0.35$) and YES buyers may not donwload all 750 but any person can reach the 0.36$ rate quite fast, we need to add the fact that they never claimed or talked about this or that %, they always had flat rates

It's the same thing with ODs and ELs, various prices per DL (the larger the cheaper). I bet most ppl have at least 69% of subs at FT and DT, I'd say most ppl, % wise, get more subs at DT and FT than at SS. I sure do.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Elenathewise on March 06, 2012, 14:17
March has started slightly better for me than previous few months, but then for some reason I always do better on Fotolia in spring than in the fall... must be  the content of my portfolio.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: luissantos84 on March 06, 2012, 14:20
beside what I have wrote, there is also the crappy deal from being registered on FT with a US link, many European contributors having US account and being paid in US $ :/ thats another 30% cut
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: fotografer on March 06, 2012, 14:48
Nope, no sales increase here.  But then, I am an Emerald, and they decided some time last year to rig their search engine against high ranking (expensive) members.  Bet they're saving a bundle in royalties.

+1
+2
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: lisafx on March 06, 2012, 18:33
Nope, no sales increase here.  But then, I am an Emerald, and they decided some time last year to rig their search engine against high ranking (expensive) members.  Bet they're saving a bundle in royalties.

Not by much but its noticable, I didnt know they rig their search against high ranking members? Im Gold myself.

You may be a unique case, because your content is so specialized.  Would like to hear if your sales are negatively affected when you turn emerald.  Keep us posted... :)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: lisafx on March 06, 2012, 18:38

I suspect it may have more to do with customer resistance to higher-priced images. FT have been steadily reducing the upper tier price levels available to high ranking contributors for some time, presumably because of this.

I think you have the order reversed.  I saw no resistance to doubling my prices for literally years.  Now, with most sales being subs, and all but best selling images being demoted to 1 credit, my sales should have increased, if it really was an issue of customer price sensitivity.  Instead, they declined steeply pretty much overnight, as is typical with an unfavorable search change, and have never recovered. 
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: briciola on March 06, 2012, 18:55
...Now, with most sales being subs,
funny, I hadn't bothered with Fotolia, when I did a year or so ago nearly every sale was a sub.  (Glad I canned them)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Suljo on March 06, 2012, 19:44
Could be just a blip but Feb was 50% above normal and I seem to be getting more dls per week than I'm used to getting per month - more dls than even SS in the last week.

Jezz you a selling tutorial Poser, DAZ and other low polly models as you own work?!?
unbelievable
Prepare you self to be kicked off really soon from most agencies...
[sse][/sse]

No, I’m not selling models, I’m licensing images created using (mostly) 3rd party models with EULAs  appropriate for this use.  This is exactly the same as a photographer creating images of objects or models not created by him/herself.   Two further points (assuming you make images and the depicted models):
Unless you’re writing the actual code you are using tools just as I am, the only difference is the degree of separation from the final image,
If you can produce better models than those available from Poser or Daz, you could probably make much more doing that than selling penny stock.


Edit – had a look at your port on IS expecting to see Mark Evans style images.  Instead I see snapshots of luggage, photo frames etc, presumably without a licence from the manufacturers.  Sorry, but you simply don’t have the credentials to make that kind of statement.

Anyhow we will see who will end first.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: fotografer on March 07, 2012, 09:19

I suspect it may have more to do with customer resistance to higher-priced images. FT have been steadily reducing the upper tier price levels available to high ranking contributors for some time, presumably because of this.

I think you have the order reversed.  I saw no resistance to doubling my prices for literally years.  Now, with most sales being subs, and all but best selling images being demoted to 1 credit, my sales should have increased, if it really was an issue of customer price sensitivity.  Instead, they declined steeply pretty much overnight, as is typical with an unfavorable search change, and have never recovered. 
Totally agree with you Lisa.  My sales went up when I doubled the prices. This is to do with Emeralds getting bad placing in the searches.  Like Lisa my sales went virtually
overnight.   I made 6 times more in 2010 than I did in 2011!!
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: robynmac on March 19, 2012, 03:29
...Now, with most sales being subs,
funny, I hadn't bothered with Fotolia, when I did a year or so ago nearly every sale was a sub.  (Glad I canned them)

My experience is similar to Lisa's.  e.g. for me $$ for Feb 2012 were down more than 50% on Feb 2011.   :'(  I've experimented with changes in price, and it's made no noticeable difference.  Very sad.  Every month I think it can't get any worse, but somehow it does...
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: wut on March 19, 2012, 08:15
...Now, with most sales being subs,
funny, I hadn't bothered with Fotolia, when I did a year or so ago nearly every sale was a sub.  (Glad I canned them)

My experience is similar to Lisa's.  e.g. for me $$ for Feb 2012 were down more than 50% on Feb 2011.   :'(  I've experimented with changes in price, and it's made no noticeable difference.  Very sad.  Every month I think it can't get any worse, but somehow it does...

What about DT? Because most ppl see a downward trend there, but an upward at FT. It always looked to me like those 2 agencies were somehow connected, my sales were always almost identical, but in the last 2 months I'm experiencing the same trend most ppl are.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: OM on March 19, 2012, 08:55
February was good but March is truly awful for me. Don't have many images there but sales were always regular until now.Anything priced above 1 credit now only seems to sell as a sub so that there's little point in getting above silver as the max credit of 3 will be hammered back down to 1 within 6 months of no sales. Very few newly accepted images have even been seen 2-3 months later and I'm sure there is some favouritism in the choice of images for the 'recently accepted' page. The same names seem to crop up rather frequently but maybe they're just the most prolific uploaders.
The oft repeated mantra of 'upload many and upload often' doesn't fly for me when I see my new uploads remaining invisible for months. Probably all got to do with over-supply/lack of demand and those at the top of the tree (corps) squeezing those below for every cent they can.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Pixart on March 19, 2012, 10:38
What I don't get is WHY don't new photos sell?  Fotolia has become basically a subscription agency that sells a few downloads.  Subs buyers typically want fresh photos, so why don't they sell at Fotolia?

My dowloads are up a teeny bit this past week - but I barely remember some of the stuff that is selling so I don't know what they have done to the search to drag this old stuff up!
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: OM on March 19, 2012, 13:49
What I don't get is WHY don't new photos sell?  Fotolia has become basically a subscription agency that sells a few downloads.  Subs buyers typically want fresh photos, so why don't they sell at Fotolia?

My dowloads are up a teeny bit this past week - but I barely remember some of the stuff that is selling so I don't know what they have done to the search to drag this old stuff up!

What method does Shutterstock use to get its new work in front of buyers? With FT, the only chance of getting seen fast is to be 'chosen' for the recent upload page. Then you can get a hundred+ views and, say, 8 sales within the first day. Then at least you're on the search map. 
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: robynmac on March 19, 2012, 15:28
...Now, with most sales being subs,
funny, I hadn't bothered with Fotolia, when I did a year or so ago nearly every sale was a sub.  (Glad I canned them)

My experience is similar to Lisa's.  e.g. for me $$ for Feb 2012 were down more than 50% on Feb 2011.   :'(  I've experimented with changes in price, and it's made no noticeable difference.  Very sad.  Every month I think it can't get any worse, but somehow it does...

What about DT? Because most ppl see a downward trend there, but an upward at FT. It always looked to me like those 2 agencies were somehow connected, my sales were always almost identical, but in the last 2 months I'm experiencing the same trend most ppl are.

Here are some stats showing the percentage of my total earnings from DT and FT:

   2010         2011     2012
dt   12%      13%     12%
ft   23%       16%     11%

So, DT has remained fairly steady (bit of a decline over the last couple of months), but FT has declined dramatically.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: wut on March 19, 2012, 15:31
...Now, with most sales being subs,
funny, I hadn't bothered with Fotolia, when I did a year or so ago nearly every sale was a sub.  (Glad I canned them)

My experience is similar to Lisa's.  e.g. for me $$ for Feb 2012 were down more than 50% on Feb 2011.   :'(  I've experimented with changes in price, and it's made no noticeable difference.  Very sad.  Every month I think it can't get any worse, but somehow it does...

What about DT? Because most ppl see a downward trend there, but an upward at FT. It always looked to me like those 2 agencies were somehow connected, my sales were always almost identical, but in the last 2 months I'm experiencing the same trend most ppl are.

Here are some stats showing the percentage of my total earnings from DT and FT:

   2010           2011   2012
dt   12%     13%12.31124871
ft   23.82054676   16.4866542   11.22584586

I see, DT is holding its own. I guess that lost FT percentage went to SS...
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: MatHayward on March 19, 2012, 15:47
I'm seeing a rise in sales this month.  I am assuming there has been a recent shift in the search algorithm as the images that are selling for me more consistently are from a different era than what has been selling in recent months.  Not my newest images but newer images all the same. 
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: robynmac on March 19, 2012, 15:49
I see, DT is holding its own. I guess that lost FT percentage went to SS...

Yes.  Thank goodness for SS!  :)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: robynmac on March 19, 2012, 15:58
I'm seeing a rise in sales this month.  I am assuming there has been a recent shift in the search algorithm as the images that are selling for me more consistently are from a different era than what has been selling in recent months.  Not my newest images but newer images all the same. 

I hope you're right, Mat - I'm yet to see it.  Very discouraging to see new images disappear down a deep dark hole...
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: OM on March 19, 2012, 17:18
Oh I'm sure that the algo changed at the beginning of March but not for the better, at least not for me. They're always tinkering with it which makes FT so unreliable as a source of predictably income. With a small portfolio, I cant really call anything I see as hard evidence but when robynmac reports a 50% decline in the last year at FT on such a large portfolio, I'm more inclined to trust my 'gut' feelings that something has changed yet again.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: wut on March 19, 2012, 19:33
But which agency can you trust these days? Best to just spread out your work among the top 4, to even it out, some will always go up while some go down...
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: hellobob on March 30, 2012, 06:53
Nope, no sales increase here.  But then, I am an Emerald, and they decided some time last year to rig their search engine against high ranking (expensive) members.  Bet they're saving a bundle in royalties.

+1

+2 with drop in commissions.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: lagereek on March 30, 2012, 07:12
FT, has always sold well for me, so even this month,  but they have to start mixing their search with some newer stuff, together with old established sellers. Same images are selling most of the time.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: THP Creative on April 12, 2012, 00:14
Big slide backwards in last month or so for Fotolia. Anyone noticed the same? Perhaps just yet another search results change which has affected me badly, but bumped up others.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: wut on April 12, 2012, 04:33
Big slide backwards in last month or so for Fotolia. Anyone noticed the same? Perhaps just yet another search results change which has affected me badly, but bumped up others.

Almost on par with March sales, which was a BME. So, pretty good :)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Paulo M. F. Pires on April 12, 2012, 04:54
Big slide backwards in last month or so for Fotolia. Anyone noticed the same? Perhaps just yet another search results change which has affected me badly, but bumped up others.

Almost on par with March sales, which was a BME. So, pretty good :)

Same here. Since Jan 2012 the only way is up.

And number of OD's are increasing.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: heywoody on April 12, 2012, 07:13
Big slide backwards in last month or so for Fotolia. Anyone noticed the same? Perhaps just yet another search results change which has affected me badly, but bumped up others.

Almost on par with March sales, which was a BME. So, pretty good :)

FT was always well behind DT for me but that has really changed, one has gone down a lot and the other up.  I tend to be immune from best match changes though.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: lisafx on April 12, 2012, 12:50


Here are some stats showing the percentage of my total earnings from DT and FT:

   2010         2011     2012
dt   12%      13%     12%
ft   23%       16%     11%

So, DT has remained fairly steady (bit of a decline over the last couple of months), but FT has declined dramatically.

Very interesting Robyn.  My stats are similar:

         2010        2011      2012
DT       13%        13%      14%
FT        20%        15%      10%

Such a sharp decline at FT is extremely worrying. When I heard they were tinkering with the search engine I briefly had hoped that would mean some improvement for my sales, but that hope was very short lived.  
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: robynmac on April 12, 2012, 18:29
Lisa, it's interesting that our stats are so close. Also reassuring to know others are experiencing the same Fotolia deep dark hole... I just checked my seven day ranking and it's sitting on 570 - eegads!!! It used to be between 30-60. I've stopped uploading new stuff at FT for the time being, because of the lack of views/sales.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: lisafx on April 12, 2012, 18:38
Lisa, it's interesting that our stats are so close. Also reassuring to know others are experiencing the same Fotolia deep dark hole... I just checked my seven day ranking and it's sitting on 570 - eegads!!! It used to be between 30-60. I've stopped uploading new stuff at FT for the time being, because of the lack of views/sales.

Yeah, I am in exactly the same boat.  Weekly ranking at 280something, even though my overall rank there is 30.  It's gotten so depressing I keep myself signed in as a buyer so I don't have to see my weekly ranking ;)

I haven't uploaded much anywhere in the last several months, but when I did I uploaded to them too.  When I get back to uploading in earnest I will continue to upload everything everywhere.  I just don't have the organizational ability to keep track of what I uploaded where, so everyone gets everything at the same time  (except with a 3 month delay to Istock, to withhold my newest stuff from their partner program).
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: RT on April 13, 2012, 17:08
I have no idea what's happening at FT, at a time when sales at other sites seem to be prospering due no doubt to iStocks recent self inflicted implosion, sales at Fotolia are getting worse.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Mantis on April 13, 2012, 19:40
FT sucks for me.  I was moving up to a mere $200 a month then they sprinkled bad "JUJU" on me, took me from less than a thousand rank to way more than a 2000 rank, now back to around 1000.  Sales are 80 ish a month now, no more $200 forecasting per month for me.  It's all in the game of microstock, take it or leave it.  I am here to stay.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: wut on June 01, 2012, 14:43
WTH is going on at FT in the last 2 days, when it comes to cr sales I'm getting almost exclusively only XS and S DLs. I used to get mostly M+ before that, actually most of them were XL or XXL. I had a BME there, but if it keeps going on like the (and the volume is not up), I'm going to earn half of what I did in May. One more reason for me to hope for SS exclusivity or at least my sales at IS rising with the current pace so I'd become exclusive there. Tired of all the hassle, every single week one of the agencies messes something up (search etc) or pulls some stunts (cuts&price rises at the same time, complicates their already complicated level system even further...)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: luissantos84 on June 01, 2012, 15:14
downloads (RPD)

Jan 2012    118 (0.76$)    
Feb 2012    152 (0.70$)   
Mar 2012    169 (0.61$)
Apr 2012    136 (0.70$)
May 2012    170 (0.60$)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Lagereek on June 01, 2012, 15:18
Yeah, something weird is going on, I mean sales are really down and for me thats highly unusual. Dont like the look of this at all.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Colette on June 01, 2012, 15:55
Lately I see something strange: most of the sales I have at FT are getting wrong reported.
The sales are correct in ‘My dashboard’, but one time the sale is one cent too much, then the next sale is one cent less. Or vice versa.
Happens with most of the sales and it is always only one cent.
I suppose the total amount will be correct, but it is weird. I am using Picniche and I see this only with Fotolia.
Anyone else seeing the same?

By the way: my sales are slowly going up all the time at FT. No big changes.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Tomboy2290 on June 01, 2012, 16:59
Yeah, something weird is going on, I mean sales are really down and for me thats highly unusual. Dont like the look of this at all.

+1
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Mantis on June 01, 2012, 17:02
"Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?" Not for me. Income four months ago was double what it is now, around $175-$200 a month.  Then, voila!! 50% less and been that way ever since.  I think they have a lot of back door, shady things going on for which we can only speculate.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: sharpshot on June 01, 2012, 17:30
My weekly rank used to often be in the top 500 and this week it's 5,700.  Whatever they've done with the search, it must of buried my portfolio.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: luissantos84 on June 01, 2012, 17:53
My weekly rank used to often be in the top 500 and this week it's 5,700.  Whatever they've done with the search, it must of buried my portfolio.

I never had mine like I have today and I am sure I am no near your sales I guess

Ranking
Overall rank   4,380
7 day rank   1,000
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: OM on June 01, 2012, 20:07
"Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?" Not for me. Income a four months ago was double what it is now, around $175-$200 a month.  Then, voila!! 50% less and been that way ever since.  I think they have a lot of back door, shady things going on for which we can only speculate.

They do seem to have some favourites in 'newest uploads'. Same names seem to crop up time after time. Serial uploaders? but it is the way to get a head start. Some of those files get amazing sales in the first couple of days and get into the search immediately on the first page. I can envisage something...........nope........better not get started on that. ;D
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Karimala on June 01, 2012, 20:54
Yeah, something weird is going on, I mean sales are really down and for me thats highly unusual. Dont like the look of this at all.

Wow...you're right!  May 2011 - 236 sales, May 2012 - 99 sales.  Sales were steady between 170 - 220 from May 2011 thru March 2012, and then plummeted in April (116) and May (99).  What the *bleep* happened?!?
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: fotografer on June 02, 2012, 03:11
Sales are slightly up for me but still far too many xs, s and sub sales.   New images are finally starting to sell.  Almost half of my sales at the moment are coming from images uploaded in the last couple of months.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Mantis on June 02, 2012, 07:38
My weekly rank used to often be in the top 500 and this week it's 5,700.  Whatever they've done with the search, it must of buried my portfolio.

I feel ya!!!
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: fotografer on June 02, 2012, 07:52
My weekly rank used to often be in the top 500 and this week it's 5,700.  Whatever they've done with the search, it must of buried my portfolio.

I feel ya!!!
Mine has been under 30 in the good old days but now stands at around 800 !!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Mantis on June 02, 2012, 07:56
My weekly rank used to often be in the top 500 and this week it's 5,700.  Whatever they've done with the search, it must of buried my portfolio.

I feel ya!!!
Mine has been under 30 in the good old days but now stands at around 800 !!!!!!!!!!!

WOW! That is bad. I mean from 1000 to 2000 is probably meaningless, but 60 to 800 could be meaningful....and not in a good way. >:(
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: fotografer on June 02, 2012, 08:23
My weekly rank used to often be in the top 500 and this week it's 5,700.  Whatever they've done with the search, it must of buried my portfolio.

I feel ya!!!
Mine has been under 30 in the good old days but now stands at around 800 !!!!!!!!!!!

WOW! That is bad. I mean from 1000 to 2000 is probably meaningless, but 60 to 800 could be meaningful....and not in a good way. >:(

Yes, a total disaster  May 2010 was one of my BMsE and I earnt 6x more than this May!!!!!
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: lisafx on June 02, 2012, 10:02

Mine has been under 30 in the good old days but now stands at around 800 !!!!!!!!!!!

I feel your pain.  Same boat here.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: wut on June 02, 2012, 10:04

Mine has been under 30 in the good old days but now stands at around 800 !!!!!!!!!!!

I feel your pain.  Same boat here.

Wow, now I really see none of you are exaggerating :o
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: lisafx on June 02, 2012, 10:35

Mine has been under 30 in the good old days but now stands at around 800 !!!!!!!!!!!

I feel your pain.  Same boat here.

Wow, now I really see none of you are exaggerating :o

Yep.  I used to have weekly rankings below 30.  Sometimes as low as 13.  When I posted here in April it had dropped to 280.  Now it's over 450.  Imagine that - overall rank of 34, and weekly rank of 450.  Something seriously wrong here. 

My FT earnings for May were literally 1/3 of what they had been a couple of years ago, and 1/2 of what they were at the beginning of the year. 

 
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: picture5469 on June 02, 2012, 14:39
I seem to be in the other boat luckily, my rank has gone from 37000 to 7000. I seem to be selling much more over the last couple of months. However, I had been uploading quite furiously.

Mark
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Tabimura on June 02, 2012, 15:09
I'm down from about 600 to about 1200.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Lagereek on June 02, 2012, 15:18
This overall rank and 7 day rank, what the heck is it indicating?  I have never bothered to find out but now Im getting curious.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: sharpshot on June 02, 2012, 15:28
My fall in FT earnings looks quite spectacular on a chart.

(http://i.imgur.com/waCjN.jpg)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Allsa on June 02, 2012, 15:47

Mine has been under 30 in the good old days but now stands at around 800 !!!!!!!!!!!

I feel your pain.  Same boat here.

Wow, now I really see none of you are exaggerating :o

Yep.  I used to have weekly rankings below 30.  Sometimes as low as 13.  When I posted here in April it had dropped to 280.  Now it's over 450.  Imagine that - overall rank of 34, and weekly rank of 450.  Something seriously wrong here. 

My FT earnings for May were literally 1/3 of what they had been a couple of years ago, and 1/2 of what they were at the beginning of the year. 

 

Sounds a lot like my story -- at one point my rank stayed steady in the 100's, now it ranges between 600 - 2000.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Lagereek on June 02, 2012, 16:10
Well Im sure its a glitch, bug or something, I mean I just did a search on "construction engineer"  and among the first 5 pages, there are 3 pages with guys and girls in a hardhat isolated on white, ALL!  with zero dls,  yep,  zero dls.

cant be right, can it.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: fotografer on June 02, 2012, 16:15
Well Im sure its a glitch, bug or something, I mean I just did a search on "construction engineer"  and among the first 5 pages, there are 3 pages with guys and girls in a hardhat isolated on white, ALL!  with zero dls,  yep,  zero dls.

cant be right, can it.
A glitch that has lasted over a year????
At the moment new images seem to be at the front of the search so I guess that is what you are seeing.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: stocker2011 on June 02, 2012, 16:34
Falling video sales here as well.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: robynmac on June 02, 2012, 21:08

My 7 day rank has declined to 64, and my overall rank to 590.  Sales in May, 2012 were down 58% on May, 2011!!  Earnings on FT now comprise only 7% of my total, down from a high of 28% two years ago.  According to FT, the decline is due to "competition within FT", and that "...it really comes down to awesome images."  That's b*&()t.  I'd say that at best it's due to a screwed up search engine, and a site that doesn't care two hoots about (previously) top-selling contributors.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: sharpshot on June 03, 2012, 00:25
I don't mind too much if they've switched to selling newer stuff but I uploaded a lot a few weeks back and my sales carried on their steep decline.  So who are the people doing well now?  They're still above DT in the poll results here.  I have seen lots of new contributors saying that 123RF outsells FT.

Is it the former istock exclusives that are doing well now?
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: traveler1116 on June 03, 2012, 00:59
I don't understand exclusivity at all on FT.  For the buyer is there any way to know that a file is exclusive?  I don't even see a place to search for exclusive files, I would think they would want to promote that.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Lagereek on June 03, 2012, 01:42
I don't mind too much if they've switched to selling newer stuff but I uploaded a lot a few weeks back and my sales carried on their steep decline.  So who are the people doing well now?  They're still above DT in the poll results here.  I have seen lots of new contributors saying that 123RF outsells FT.

Is it the former istock exclusives that are doing well now?

Who cares really?  this seems to be yet another agency to write off,  theyre getting fewer by the month.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: OM on June 03, 2012, 05:03
I don't understand exclusivity at all on FT.  For the buyer is there any way to know that a file is exclusive?  I don't even see a place to search for exclusive files, I would think they would want to promote that.

Now that's always been the crazy thing about FT. Exclusives are revealed to no-one and because of their ability to opt out of the subs program and get a higher proportion of the download price are, in fact, less profitable for FT. As an exclusive at one time there, I upped my price on some of the better sellers and opted out of subs...........got virtually no sales for the 4 week period that I tried that. I get the impression that all FT wants is to sell subs. Easy, bulk money coming in, payout is a standard pittance and never amounts to more than 50cents ( half that for the lowest ranking). I would be surprised if many subs clients even download one tenth of the permitted 750 images/month. And, if all you are selling is subs, then it takes smaller contributors far longer to reach payout; that's money longer in their bank too. Now virtually all my sales are subs and my old moneymaker downloads seem to have just vanished from the search except when I filter for 'most downloaded' but that's not the default setting.

The problem now with most 'stock agencies' is that they don't act in any way as 'agents' for the contributors. They act as many large corporate entities operate; all that counts is the short-term bottom line as the senior management cream off the profits into their bank accounts...the bigger and the faster the better. Interests of the contributors and the corporate entity are diametrically opposed to one another. The small guy loses.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: RT on June 03, 2012, 06:24

Yep.  I used to have weekly rankings below 30.  Sometimes as low as 13.  When I posted here in April it had dropped to 280.  Now it's over 450. 
 

Just checked my rank, sorry Lisa I've taken your weekly rank of 280  :D

I don't normally take much notice of rankings as I'm more concerned with total income on a site, but like everyone else I've noticed my ranking has dropped significantly recently both weekly and overall.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Mantis on June 03, 2012, 07:50

My 7 day rank has declined to 64, and my overall rank to 590.  Sales in May, 2012 were down 58% on May, 2011!!  Earnings on FT now comprise only 7% of my total, down from a high of 28% two years ago.  According to FT, the decline is due to "competition within FT", and that "...it really comes down to awesome images."  That's b*&()t.  I'd say that at best it's due to a screwed up search engine, and a site that doesn't care two hoots about (previously) top-selling contributors.

First....you have a FABULOUS PORT!!  Secondarily, between you, Fotographer, Lisa (Mrs. FX:)) and a few other big guns stating what amounts to the same thing (going from good rank to crummy rank and therefore making less money) is pretty good anecdotal evidence that FT is indeed favoring new or non-selling images so they pay out less, keep more in their coffers.  It's a shame that potentially more appealing images are being shoved up the FT BUM where no buyers dare to go.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: OM on June 03, 2012, 08:12

My 7 day rank has declined to 64, and my overall rank to 590.  Sales in May, 2012 were down 58% on May, 2011!!  Earnings on FT now comprise only 7% of my total, down from a high of 28% two years ago.  According to FT, the decline is due to "competition within FT", and that "...it really comes down to awesome images."  That's b*&()t.  I'd say that at best it's due to a screwed up search engine, and a site that doesn't care two hoots about (previously) top-selling contributors.

First....you have a FABULOUS PORT!!  Secondarily, between you, Fotographer, Lisa (Mrs. FX:)) and a few other big guns stating what amounts to the same thing (going from good rank to crummy rank and therefore making less money) is pretty good anecdotal evidence that FT is indeed favoring new or non-selling images so they pay out less, keep more in their coffers.  It's a shame that potentially more appealing images are being shoved up the FT BUM where no buyers dare to go.

+1

It just takes effort/time on the part of the buyers to see the images most downloaded (ie the better stock images) by using the filter 'downloads'.
And the one thing that buyers usually don't have is time.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: wut on June 03, 2012, 08:18

My 7 day rank has declined to 64, and my overall rank to 590.  Sales in May, 2012 were down 58% on May, 2011!!  Earnings on FT now comprise only 7% of my total, down from a high of 28% two years ago.  According to FT, the decline is due to "competition within FT", and that "...it really comes down to awesome images."  That's b*&()t.  I'd say that at best it's due to a screwed up search engine, and a site that doesn't care two hoots about (previously) top-selling contributors.

First....you have a FABULOUS PORT!!  Secondarily, between you, Fotographer, Lisa (Mrs. FX:)) and a few other big guns stating what amounts to the same thing (going from good rank to crummy rank and therefore making less money) is pretty good anecdotal evidence that FT is indeed favoring new or non-selling images so they pay out less, keep more in their coffers.  It's a shame that potentially more appealing images are being shoved up the FT BUM where no buyers dare to go.

+1

It just takes effort/time on the part of the buyers to see the images most downloaded (ie the better stock images) by using the filter 'downloads'.
And the one thing that buyers usually don't have is time.

Well not necessarily. There's a lot of old, outdated files among them. They did sell great back in 04/05, but what can a buyer do with a business shot full of CRT monitors, old mobile phones, suits that make business ppl look like they can't afford new clothes (that doesn't make them look particularly successful) etc . Just an example, and there are tons more. No to mention the IQ, lighting etc, most of 2004 bestsellers wouldn't sell today, hell most of them would get rejected
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: klsbear on June 03, 2012, 08:45
Well Im sure its a glitch, bug or something, I mean I just did a search on "construction engineer"  and among the first 5 pages, there are 3 pages with guys and girls in a hardhat isolated on white, ALL!  with zero dls,  yep,  zero dls.

cant be right, can it.

The search does seem to return an odd selection.  A simple search on "milk" with the default as Relevant returned only vaguely relevant images - #1 was a couple in a field with some dairy cows in the background.  Also in the first 2 rows were a recycling tub with a milk carton, pink desserts that seemed to have milk as an ingredient and milk chocolate.  Changing to New wasn't much better - lots of bad keywording - there were blueberries without any milk in sight, an illustration of cats and a cup of black coffee taking up about a 20% of the slots.  Sorting by Downloads and Popularity returned the same odd mix of images with just a few more glasses of milk or milk splashes but still a lot of cows, generic cosmetic tubes and bottles, etc.  How is it that the second most popular download for "Milk" is an overhead close up of a box of Butter Cookies with two downloads?

Narrowing it down didn't seem to help that much either - changing it to "Milk Dairy Glass" still had the two pink desserts in the first row. There was part of a jar with pink something in it which I guess was enough to keyword it for "glass".  If I were searching as a buyer I'd be pretty frustrated with the results returned.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: OM on June 03, 2012, 08:55

My 7 day rank has declined to 64, and my overall rank to 590.  Sales in May, 2012 were down 58% on May, 2011!!  Earnings on FT now comprise only 7% of my total, down from a high of 28% two years ago.  According to FT, the decline is due to "competition within FT", and that "...it really comes down to awesome images."  That's b*&()t.  I'd say that at best it's due to a screwed up search engine, and a site that doesn't care two hoots about (previously) top-selling contributors.

First....you have a FABULOUS PORT!!  Secondarily, between you, Fotographer, Lisa (Mrs. FX:)) and a few other big guns stating what amounts to the same thing (going from good rank to crummy rank and therefore making less money) is pretty good anecdotal evidence that FT is indeed favoring new or non-selling images so they pay out less, keep more in their coffers.  It's a shame that potentially more appealing images are being shoved up the FT BUM where no buyers dare to go.

+1

It just takes effort/time on the part of the buyers to see the images most downloaded (ie the better stock images) by using the filter 'downloads'.
And the one thing that buyers usually don't have is time.

Well not necessarily. There's a lot of old, outdated files among them. They did sell great back in 04/05, but what can a buyer do with a business shot full of CRT monitors, old mobile phones, suits that make business ppl look like they can't afford new clothes (that doesn't make them look particularly successful) etc . Just an example, and there are tons more. No to mention the IQ, lighting etc, most of 2004 bestsellers wouldn't sell today, hell most of them would get rejected

Depends on the image/search category. If I take lagereek's category of 'industrial engineer', I do indeed get a load of what are obviously modelshots against white (sort of fake industrial engineer). If I then filter on 'download' I get some real (but old) images of real (or what appear to be real) engineers in industrial surroundings which I would likely be wanting to see in the first place. Filtered in default/relevance and looking as far as page 3, I didn't see the shots that I saw in download..........in fact on page 3 there's some loon dressed in an overall against white who appears to be dancing. In some sectors, the technology dates images quickly but in many other sectors it doesn't. For dated pics at FT the place to look is in the infinity sections........some of those are really ancient history with a RM pricetag to match! :)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: OM on June 03, 2012, 09:02
Well Im sure its a glitch, bug or something, I mean I just did a search on "construction engineer"  and among the first 5 pages, there are 3 pages with guys and girls in a hardhat isolated on white, ALL!  with zero dls,  yep,  zero dls.

cant be right, can it.

The search does seem to return an odd selection.  A simple search on "milk" with the default as Relevant returned only vaguely relevant images - #1 was a couple in a field with some dairy cows in the background.  Also in the first 2 rows were a recycling tub with a milk carton, pink desserts that seemed to have milk as an ingredient and milk chocolate.  Changing to New wasn't much better - lots of bad keywording - there were blueberries without any milk in sight, an illustration of cats and a cup of black coffee taking up about a 20% of the slots.  Sorting by Downloads and Popularity returned the same odd mix of images with just a few more glasses of milk or milk splashes but still a lot of cows, generic cosmetic tubes and bottles, etc.  How is it that the second most popular download for "Milk" is an overhead close up of a box of Butter Cookies with two downloads?

Narrowing it down didn't seem to help that much either - changing it to "Milk Dairy Glass" still had the two pink desserts in the first row. There was part of a jar with pink something in it which I guess was enough to keyword it for "glass".  If I were searching as a buyer I'd be pretty frustrated with the results returned.

Yep, the keyword spamming and totally innaccurate keywording has reached monstrous proportions at FT. On every page of search there are numerous examples of images that just should not be there and by the time you've waded through the unrequested infinity pics, there's not a lot of relevant images to choose from.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: RT on June 03, 2012, 11:50
 ^ One of the reasons (amongst many many others) that I gave up spending anytime other than just basic uploading to Fotolia is when about a year or so ago I discovered a large portfolio of images from a Hong Kong (if my memory is correct) based agency where each and every single image had about 150 keywords in it, and the keywords were totally irrelevant to the image in question, it appeared that the agency just took the 150 most popular keywords and added them to every image and then uploaded them - and were allowed to do so! Us mere mortals have to stick to 50.

Don't know if it was ever addressed and I really don't care enough about FT to go and check if they're still doing it - all I do now is upload and forget.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: gbalex on June 03, 2012, 12:14
My fall in FT earnings looks quite spectacular on a chart.

([url]http://i.imgur.com/waCjN.jpg[/url])


Unfortunately you are not alone and it is hard to believe that the timed drop was not calculated since we now know what they have been up to.  And isn't it interesting that the top level submitters seem to have been hit the hardest.  Vulture capitalist enter and search engine programmers follow.  Why any one is entertaining the idea of going exclusive with SS is beyond me since they now have new playmates and a shiny new search engine.

http://venturebeat.com/2012/05/16/fotolia-grabs-150m/ (http://venturebeat.com/2012/05/16/fotolia-grabs-150m/)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: fotografer on June 03, 2012, 12:24
all I do now is upload and forget.
That's what I tend to do now.  Not worth worrying about things that are out of our control.   I'm trying to get to the stage where stock income is just a bonus rather than a necessity.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: RT on June 03, 2012, 12:24
Why any one is entertaining the idea of going exclusive with SS is beyond me......

+1
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: fotografer on June 03, 2012, 12:25
Why any one is entertaining the idea of going exclusive with SS is beyond me......

+1
A big +2
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: robynmac on June 03, 2012, 17:10
^^Thanks Mantis and OM for the compliment - much appreciated!   :)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Wim on June 04, 2012, 06:47
I'm quite happy with FT lately :)

No incompetent reviewers and good sales (not just subs), they seem to get the picture that some of us aren't copycat hobbyists who upload only on sundays and celebrating every penny they make.
Commissions are a bit low but I'll take consistent reviews over higher commissions any day.
On their way to becoming my second best earner!
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: fotografer on June 04, 2012, 08:03
they seem to get the picture that some of us aren't copycat hobbyists who upload only on sundays and celebrating every penny they make.

Really???  As far as I'm concerned they are the site that least gets that!!
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: Wim on June 04, 2012, 08:23
they seem to get the picture that some of us aren't copycat hobbyists who upload only on sundays and celebrating every penny they make.

Really???  As far as I'm concerned they are the site that least gets that!!

Yeah, I noticed for some it's the other way around mate. I guess you have a good AR at SS and DT then? I might be hitting FT's sweet spot. Or it's pure luck and could turn the other way from one day to another.
I've got to say though I did not have many issues from the start so personally I don't think luck has anything to do with it, unlike with SS and DT, which seem to like playing bingo games.

Good luck though!
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: lisafx on June 04, 2012, 13:41
Nevermind.  I'm just repeating myself :)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: luissantos84 on June 04, 2012, 13:57
basically FT works in 2 ways:
- isolations (whatever it is)
- people

subjects like travel (cities, landmarks) sometimes get over too, nature/landscape is even harder..
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: gemmy12 on June 04, 2012, 14:40
basically FT works in 2 ways:
- isolations (whatever it is)
- people

subjects like travel (cities, landmarks) sometimes get over too, nature/landscape is even harder..

+1  Exactly.
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: wut on June 04, 2012, 15:11
basically FT works in 2 ways:
- isolations (whatever it is)
- people

subjects like travel (cities, landmarks) sometimes get over too, nature/landscape is even harder..

+1  Exactly.

I have ppl only. It doesn't work ;) . At all! (but it does at SS and IS)
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: luissantos84 on June 04, 2012, 21:18
basically FT works in 2 ways:
- isolations (whatever it is)
- people

subjects like travel (cities, landmarks) sometimes get over too, nature/landscape is even harder..

+1  Exactly.

I have ppl only. It doesn't work ;) . At all! (but it does at SS and IS)

I see but it doesn´t make any sense looking at some of the latest people pictures approved, not going to point out those cases once it would be quite unpolite, agencies take big naps sometimes
Title: Re: Has there been a big increase in sales volumes at FT?
Post by: gemmy12 on June 05, 2012, 00:03
i am selling images of people and isolated objects (conceptual) there equally. Though not as good as in SS but still...