Doesn't Google ranks also depend on visits to the site also? You might just be raising the rank of them in the google search by just clicking on them.

I dumped Fotolia years ago and I seriously hope that those who have not will do so rather than taking it in the butt again. If your trying to bankrupt a company because they did you wrong, then don't leave your photos on there. It makes no sense.

Some sites you can upload your photos to could sit there for years and the sales are so few and in between, it could be years before you even see a payout. Many of these...actually almost all of them...don't do automatic payouts. You have to constantly check to see if there are any sales and if you have reached payout then request payment. I'm sure a lot of these stock agencies are sitting on a lot of money because so many contributors give up and leave there photos there and never check back because of lack of sales.

As far as the talk of withdrawing ports from some stock sites...it has to do with the treatment of these stock sites towards their contributors. Reducing the pay all the way to giving away photos for free without the contributors knowing about it until after the fact. I guess I would say it was a decision on principals by a lot of the contributors, me being one. I use to be on about 10 different stock sites...now I am only on one and it is far easier only having to spend a few hours uploading to one than it is to upload to 10 different ones that take two days to do and didn't yield much return.

Like ShadySue said you need to do the research and make your own decision on that.

I received the e-mail, but I don't plan to partner with them in hosting a local art event, so I didn't take the survey.

The only difference in my e-mail is that it started "Hi Jo Ann,"

I didn't take the survey either. They didn't name me personally. I just don't understand why they would send that when as far as I know I have not been "crated".

I got this e-mail from Crated

"Hi there,

I hope you're having a great day!

First off, I want to send a huge "thanks" for the feedback we've received from early Crated community members like you. Your suggestions have already gone a long way towards helping us to create an even better experience.

Today I'm reaching out to get your feedback on an exciting upcoming project.

We want to host a local art event in YOUR city, featuring YOUR art. If you're interested in partnering with Crated, please complete the short survey below.

Yes, I'm interested. Start survey now.

Thanks, from the Alyssa and the Crated team. "

Has anyone else gotten an e-mail like this....the weird thing about it is that I've never gotten an e-mail saying I've been "crated". Also the part about YOUR city....I live in a small town and I freelance...I don't have a studio per say and can't quite see an art show here. Nobody would even show up.

I got a message on fb from Ron that he left because of the negative responses/votes he got when he was discussing his weight loss and hiking adventures.

Can't say I blame him. You can't even talk about something non-microstock around here without some down votes just because someone doesn't like you. It's sort of indicative of the whole atmosphere around here lately.

When I first started visiting these forums I got attacked by some because I had brought up things about my childhood....happy not negative. I got ignored by many on here because they said this had nothing to do with photography. This was in the "Off Topic" forum. Then I tried to point out the abuse that was unleased on the newbie's when they would ask questions and got bashed about that. I got bashed about bringing that up. It seems it has gotten worse with time, which is why I don't visit these forums that much anymore. I just think that everyone needs to respect others opinions and not put a target on their backs because of it.

And you can buy the logo: http://www.foximages.eu/photo/18737/photo-details.html

LOLOL!!!!
Here is the Description:  Stylish design of Eiffel tower, isolated and grouped objects on black

I'm sorry to say but it looks nothing like the Eiffel tower and it sure ain't isolated on black!!

Just wanted to know if those of you on ABC are getting very many sales. Mine seems to have slowed down. We haven't had any discussion about ABC on here for awhile.

Many of us have questions what works and what doesn't and how you define this. We've seen changes to the web site and if you could come here and explain the process to us we would appreciate it.

Many have question to how many images need to be submitted...if there needs to be a portfolio link..and what exactly you are looking for.

No sales either - but my images are not very long up.
Along with 'Newest' and 'Curated' we now have 'Upcoming'

I'm not sure what 'Upcoming' actually means. Anybody have any ideas.
From what I think, when you click on 'Discover' these are works that have sold.
Am I right on this?

I thought Discover was being able to look at their whole collection without a search. I haven't a clue what Upcoming is. Them seem to keep their contributors in the dark.

Honestly...if they can't respond to their contributors or give us any feed back I really don't know how well they will do as a whole.

Quote from: donding on June 05, 2014, 10:36

Here's the e-mail I sent them

"I've been on here awhile and I was wondering if I was lacking something. Could you let me know if there is something I did wrong or has it not been long enough. "

Here is their response

" Unfortunately with the amount of requests and emails we get on a daily basis, our curators are not able to give specific feedback or explanation on promoted/unpromoted galleries.

I would personally recommend searching our 'curated' art (https://crated.com/search) for similar tags to your those on your art to see examples of art that has been approved and promoted.

I hope this helps clarify a bit, I'm sorry I couldn't offer more input. I'm here if you have any other questions though!"

Well that wasn't much of an answer. Some of the ones I uploaded sell on Fine Art America so I think they are "artsy" not stock. I agree with you Oxman, some of the approved ones I question why they picked them, unless I don't live in the modern age...

I guess I still don't get it. Is there ONE KIND OF ACCEPTANCE or TIERED ACCEPTANCE? Super duper ones are "curated" and the rest of the accepted ones are in the general collection? And if true how are the weights of the super duper engineered into the search? Or does super duper=all accepted are curated, and therefore super duper?

There are two tiers. When you do a search....at the left there is a "New" and "Curated" link. I don't know if the curated ones are also included in the new search button, but my guess is they are. If you haven't gotten that "crated" or "curated" e-mail your port won't show up in the search.

I don't know if the curated images are by artist or just that image.

I personally haven't had problems with acceptance. I've been restoring 1800's photos and uploading them as editorial for quite awhile now since I sorta gave up on the traditional stock photos. No problem there. Tuesday I uploaded some of the new grunge style photos that they were wanting. I hadn't tryed to upload them before and was holding my breath about them being accepted, but all of them were except for one. These grunge photos would have never been accepted before if they hadn't been textured with grunge. I have them on my Fine Art America site.

I don't have a personal website. I guess I'll link to Fine Art America.

Quote from: stockmarketer on June 04, 2014, 12:59

My warning to part-timers (I count myself as one, with about 50% of my income from microstock) is this:  don't give up the day job.

In contrast, I did this two years ago... I wouldn't do it if I had a family, but I was single, so I risked it. Starting from zero, in 30 months I am now earning my living from microstock. I am not high earner by any kind, but I do earn more than average salary in country where I live. It is hard work, but it is still possible to start living from microstock, even these days... probably lot harder than in golden ages, but still possible. 

You bring up a good point. A lot depends on where and what country you live in. Even differnt areas of the United States have lower cost of living.