Like yingyang0 say, it change a couple of time a year. But this time, it have changed quite drastically I think.

Last changes was more like quite small changes like what files show in second page using your own port. Now some of my best sellers are behind and all my newer files show in first page. Like a set of 2 umbrella, one taken from 2 angles the other one from 3 angles.

That make 5 images of the first page, being quite the same subject. In normal, only the one with download have been up front. Not the whole set. That make the search less appealing for buyers I think.

Now you can't rely on your best sellers if you didn't upload better ones than your best sellers and that everydays! Take vacation and maybe then you will earn 0.

There is no "best match" in that sense.  If the keywords match the search terms, it comes up.  If the title and description mattered, all you would need to do is modify all your images so all the keywords existed in the description and title.

Try to find a photo of a red lipstick. Unless something has changed, you will find tons of images of women, full body, who happen to be using a red lipstick.  Although red lipstick may be in the keywords, it is unlikely that they appear in title or description (likely to be "smiling blond woman in jeans").  On the other hand, a photo of a red lipstick is likely to be named "red lipstick" and have "red lipstick" on the description, therefore the repetition of the search terms in all those fields is a sign that it is a best match than one with them only in the keywords.

This is, I believe, how DT works. I have even found a search term in the description only (search for Roland Garros).

FT's approach would also help the best match, as the relevant keywords are supposed to be the first ones.  But we know there are many other issues in their search tool.

Regards,
Adelaide

For JJRD (content director on istock) to have made an appearance to calm the masses suggests that the current best match waves are a bit higher than usual. Still, he didn't say much...

There's now around 60 pages on the "best match have changed" thread on Istock http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=76456&page=1

My sales are clearly down now. Around 60% less than the month before. The search is showing sometimes a series of images from the same photoshoot in the first 5 pages, from the same contributors. There's no "official" answer from Istock. The new best match seem to be a mistake to me, but there is no change in view actually

I see a reduction in mine also, but the worst thing is an increase in XS versus other sizes.

Regards,
Adelaide

I noticed a drop in vector sales. But that happend a bit before the recent best match change when vectors were pushed back. The current best match is strange though. I compared similar images that were submitted on the same day and many times the ones with fewer downloads are infont when searching with best match.

I had 9 dls at IS yesterday.  A year ago my average was about 40 a day and a good day was 60 to 80.  I always used to check my stats constantly at IS now I hardly bother.  They have fallen behind SS, DT and FT and last month StockXpert caught up. I used to really love IS and was seriously thinking about going exclusive but I am so dissapointed. Images that are getting downloaded 100's of times at other sites are almost impossible to find at IS

Had a BME last month and off to a good start this month. Just glad I've not been effected like some of the other vector artists who have been hit quite badly by the best match changes.

I had 9 dls at IS yesterday.  A year ago my average was about 40 a day and a good day was 60 to 80.  I always used to check my stats constantly at IS now I hardly bother.  They have fallen behind SS, DT and FT and last month StockXpert caught up. I used to really love IS and was seriously thinking about going exclusive but I am so dissapointed. Images that are getting downloaded 100's of times at other sites are almost impossible to find at IS

Agreed. 

I have seen slowdown across several sites this month (not DT or SS) but the effect of images dropping out of sight is almost exclusively istock.  I sell a good mix of new and older images on other sites.  Even those from 2005 and 2006 still sell elsewhere but almost never on istock.

When images have such a short shelf life at IS it is a big disincentive to exclusivity.   

Way down on all sites except Dreamstime and shockingly Crestock.

Sales at IS are down by quite a bit. And the images selling are not the same ones as before the change. SS and DT are up while the rest are down.

I have to say my IS income has dropped off significantly this month and April has been the best month this year and I've been uploading to the limit as well.