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Agency Based Discussion => Shutterstock.com => Topic started by: christiano on May 01, 2018, 10:39

Title: ss no sales
Post by: christiano on May 01, 2018, 10:39
no sales since 4 days... it's unusual for me.  :o
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Brasilnut on May 01, 2018, 11:13
Quote
no sales since 4 days... it's unusual for me.  :o

Yes, long weekend. Things should pick up tomorrow, hopefully.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: rinderart on May 03, 2018, 15:00
Funny thing I just realized as I don't really pay much attention to Daily sales Mostly weekly or Bi weekly But, For some reason the past 4 Months or so Im Having the almost Identical sales numbers everyday. everyday within one or 2 sales even on weekends.Strange.
Is it being somehow controlled? Hmmmm tinfoil Hat stuff.lol
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: dpimborough on May 03, 2018, 15:44
Funny thing I just realized as I don't really pay much attention to Daily sales Mostly weekly or Bi weekly But, For some reason the past 4 Months or so Im Having the almost Identical sales numbers everyday. everyday within one or 2 sales even on weekends.Strange.
Is it being somehow controlled? Hmmmm tinfoil Hat stuff.lol

Wait until you do some real analysis - moving average its depressing

It's not tin foil hat Laurin earnings are being fixed its a simple as that
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: voidframes on May 04, 2018, 00:43
no sales since 4 days... it's unusual for me.  :o
you are not alone :-X :-X :-X
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Artist on May 04, 2018, 00:58
no sales since 4 days... it's unusual for me.  :o
you are not alone :-X :-X :-X

Things are slow but not zero
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: mindstorm on May 04, 2018, 01:28
April was my largest sales for SS to date, though largely because of a couple $20+ sales.  Overall the number of downloads from SS seems stable but slightly increasing (as is my portfolio size).
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: KeremGo on May 04, 2018, 05:39
So how is the No Sales on SS compared to DT? Even in bad days the sales on SS should be much higher on DT as far as I can observe.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: derek on May 04, 2018, 08:25
Funny thing I just realized as I don't really pay much attention to Daily sales Mostly weekly or Bi weekly But, For some reason the past 4 Months or so Im Having the almost Identical sales numbers everyday. everyday within one or 2 sales even on weekends.Strange.
Is it being somehow controlled? Hmmmm tinfoil Hat stuff.lol

Thats it!  controlled it is and been for some time now. My days weather good or bad only differes in cents but hey!  soon we have the ghostbusters here telling us we're just imagining this!
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Brasilnut on May 04, 2018, 08:29
I had 30 downloads yesterday and only 3 today so far. So weird for a weekday.

Anyway, need to stop myself from checking so often.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: christiano on May 04, 2018, 09:39

Anyway, need to stop myself from checking so often.

me too!  ;D
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: rinderart on May 04, 2018, 15:52
Funny thing I just realized as I don't really pay much attention to Daily sales Mostly weekly or Bi weekly But, For some reason the past 4 Months or so Im Having the almost Identical sales numbers everyday. everyday within one or 2 sales even on weekends.Strange.
Is it being somehow controlled? Hmmmm tinfoil Hat stuff.lol

Another bizarre thing or maybe Im just losing it. strange things....at 10AM in LA I have say 10 sales. at 2PM 4 hours later I have 8 sales. Is that possible??

Thats it!  controlled it is and been for some time now. My days weather good or bad only differes in cents but hey!  soon we have the ghostbusters here telling us we're just imagining this!
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Uncle Pete on May 04, 2018, 21:33
Funny thing I just realized as I don't really pay much attention to Daily sales Mostly weekly or Bi weekly But, For some reason the past 4 Months or so Im Having the almost Identical sales numbers everyday. everyday within one or 2 sales even on weekends.Strange.
Is it being somehow controlled? Hmmmm tinfoil Hat stuff.lol

Another bizarre thing or maybe Im just losing it. strange things....at 10AM in LA I have say 10 sales. at 2PM 4 hours later I have 8 sales. Is that possible??

Thats it!  controlled it is and been for some time now. My days weather good or bad only differes in cents but hey!  soon we have the ghostbusters here telling us we're just imagining this!

I think it's the Full Moon and the pyramids, along with alignment of Venus and Mars and Sun spots,  plus UFOs that send signals to our brains. All of this is caused by unexplained outside forces, not economics, market or buyers needs. It's all luck and a game... controlled and manipulated. Abandoned all hope, ye who enter here, into the world of Microstock. You have perished, so has your income. You are now in Photo Purgatory.

I'm taking a vacation from this absurd speculation and insanity. Enjoy your Summer of self inflicted misery. Find some Reynolds Wrap or Kaiser Quilted Foil and make a strong hat with a little propeller on top. Have a good "trip".  :)

Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Pauws99 on May 05, 2018, 01:06
Funny thing I just realized as I don't really pay much attention to Daily sales Mostly weekly or Bi weekly But, For some reason the past 4 Months or so Im Having the almost Identical sales numbers everyday. everyday within one or 2 sales even on weekends.Strange.
Is it being somehow controlled? Hmmmm tinfoil Hat stuff.lol

Thats it!  controlled it is and been for some time now. My days weather good or bad only differes in cents but hey!  soon we have the ghostbusters here telling us we're just imagining this!
Im still not sure...this guy had a good month "SS BME! superb for once! like in the old days!"
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: derek on May 05, 2018, 01:59
Funny thing I just realized as I don't really pay much attention to Daily sales Mostly weekly or Bi weekly But, For some reason the past 4 Months or so Im Having the almost Identical sales numbers everyday. everyday within one or 2 sales even on weekends.Strange.
Is it being somehow controlled? Hmmmm tinfoil Hat stuff.lol

Thats it!  controlled it is and been for some time now. My days weather good or bad only differes in cents but hey!  soon we have the ghostbusters here telling us we're just imagining this!
Im still not sure...this guy had a good month "SS BME! superb for once! like in the old days!"

Yeah for stills not video!  Good BME it was as well. $ 3712!  but hey three single sales neting $ 480. Suck on that lollipop for a while ! Good or bad yep it still only differs in cents!  get it??
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Dumc on May 05, 2018, 07:17
You had a rough childhood, didn't you?
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: mesamong on May 05, 2018, 23:07

Anyway, need to stop myself from checking so often.

me too!  ;D

I agree.  ;D
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: jpbarcelos on May 06, 2018, 22:38

Anyway, need to stop myself from checking so often.

me too!  ;D

me three!! :D
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 14, 2018, 03:50
I have never known it so bad and yet March was my best month ever. 3 times my normal earnings. This is definitely engineered manipulation as it has been A B Y S M A L since that great month. I am sick and tired of uploading new work that sinks into a black hole of despair.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 14, 2018, 06:59
I have never known it so bad and yet March was my best month ever. 3 times my normal earnings. This is definitely engineered manipulation as it has been A B Y S M A L since that great month. I am sick and tired of uploading new work that sinks into a black hole of despair.

I assume you didn't write them and accuse them of manipulation when you had 3 times your normal earnings in March? Or complain here about it?
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 14, 2018, 13:24
No because it was a one off. Why are you on my case anyway ?
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: YadaYadaYada on May 15, 2018, 07:32
I have never known it so bad and yet March was my best month ever. 3 times my normal earnings. This is definitely engineered manipulation as it has been A B Y S M A L since that great month. I am sick and tired of uploading new work that sinks into a black hole of despair.

I assume you didn't write them and accuse them of manipulation when you had 3 times your normal earnings in March? Or complain here about it?

We already discovered that when sales are good, that's the way it's supposed to be, our works are the reason. When sales are down, there's something wrong, they are capping us, the agency is the cause because they manipulate sales. Some people can't understand that sales go up or down, buyers have needs. Sometimes the buyers don't need what we sell, sales will go down.

Why does everything in selling stock photos, video or illustration, have to have some hidden cause or conspiracy?
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 15, 2018, 14:48
Because the patterns repeat the same every month which is a bit of a giveaway.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Dumc on May 15, 2018, 20:44
Because the patterns repeat the same every month which is a bit of a giveaway.

https://psychcentral.com/lib/patterns-the-need-for-order/
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Pauws99 on May 16, 2018, 00:29
Because the patterns repeat the same every month which is a bit of a giveaway.
Except when they don't and you have a "one off" month
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Josephine on May 16, 2018, 05:54
Here is the definition of blame game

a situation in which one party blames others for something bad or unfortunate rather than attempting to seek a solution.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 16, 2018, 06:54
It's obvious here that there are many (who are probably doing well) looking at life through SS tinted glasses. Sales have stopped dead for no reason for a few days THIS IS NOT NORMAL !!!!!!! THIS IS MANIPULATION OF THE ALGORITHMS.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Pauws99 on May 16, 2018, 08:12
It's obvious here that there are many (who are probably doing well) looking at life through SS tinted glasses. Sales have stopped dead for no reason for a few days THIS IS NOT NORMAL !!!!!!! THIS IS MANIPULATION OF THE ALGORITHMS.
It may not be normal there are many explanations manipulation of algorithms is one possible one.  But I doubt anyone has the evidence to claim certainty. Your sales also increased hugely one month for "no reason" was that manipulation of algorithms? Anyway this argument has cycled many times so I doubt anyone will change their mind. To me you only have to look at the increase in content vs the increase in sales to see a simpler explanation.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 16, 2018, 08:13
It's obvious here that there are many (who are probably doing well) looking at life through SS tinted glasses. Sales have stopped dead for no reason for a few days THIS IS NOT NORMAL !!!!!!! THIS IS MANIPULATION OF THE ALGORITHMS.

Well, according to you every site is "manipulating" the algorithms and have personal vendettas against you (Envato, Pond5, Shutterstock etc.). The only thing that repeats each month is your posts at every forum around the web.

I don't think anyone thinks that the algorithms don't change, of course they do! That is part of any site's operation - to maximize OVERALL sales, and to do that, they have to constantly tweak algorithms to see what works.

That does not, however, mean that they are "manipulating" your sales.

If you focused more on improving your work and SEO rather than trying to find reasons everyone is against you, I'm sure your sales would be better.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 16, 2018, 08:34
There is nothing wrong with my work thank you very much. You also assume to know more about me than you think.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 16, 2018, 08:56
There is nothing wrong with my work thank you very much. You also assume to know more about me than you think.

Everyone's work can ALWAYS be improved. That includes you, me, and everyone else who isn't the top stock producer in the world. And snapshots of broken bicycles will only get you so far...

I know you don't want to be "mainstream" and create what sells, but here's a tip: what sells is what is needed.  :)

And regarding SEO, that can definitely be much improved.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: BalkanskiMacak on May 16, 2018, 09:45
It's obvious here that there are many (who are probably doing well) looking at life through SS tinted glasses. Sales have stopped dead for no reason for a few days THIS IS NOT NORMAL !!!!!!! THIS IS MANIPULATION OF THE ALGORITHMS.

Several things:
SS (probably) doesn't manipulate individual algorithms. However, they are frequently modifying it, which is understandable. Tbh, I would pay a lot to know how to be always on first position, as I would be able to earn even more money. Therefore, the algorithm remains secret, but time passing by, several criteria start to become obvious, thus leading SS to change it, even slightly. Furthermore, it is a good way to experiment parameters that could be more profitable. It lacks of transparency, but at least it prevents spam and algorithm bombing.

Seen from the point of view of someone who has been managing webadvertisement accounts, I don't see it shocking. Even on mid businesses, with several hundred sales a month, there were huge differences, day after day. Furthermore, there are business specifics you don't always understand. Coming back to SS, for instance, I have noticed over the past months that most of my sales will occur during the middle of the month. Knowing the fact that I have uploaded pictures of various topics during this time, I can't explain it, but I don't call this a trend, and, in some case, seasonality.

To summarize, I see as well pretty impressive stalls (-70% sales between the first and the second half of March, for instance), they are pretty stressful, but I don't see them as an issue, as long as the mid term and long term indicators remain positive.

One last thing: if there were a conspiracy I could believe in that could explain most of the irregularities, but that I haven't been able to prove, it's the theory that SS is trying to hide technical issues impacting the sales record adjusting the revenue afterwards with SOD's and other "adjustable" rates. Over the past months, I have noticed indeed that every drop in sales that was due to an official (or non official) issue on the website was followed by one or several SOD's of higher rates that I could not track. I have no proofs of it, maybe it's just my need for order, but it's not that impossible, given that I have done it in another field of webmarketing, working for a platform dealing with digital inventories.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Artist on May 16, 2018, 09:59
There is nothing wrong with my work thank you very much. You also assume to know more about me than you think.

any link of your work? I also don't know you.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 16, 2018, 10:08
There is nothing wrong with my work thank you very much. You also assume to know more about me than you think.

Everyone's work can ALWAYS be improved. That includes you, me, and everyone else who isn't the top stock producer in the world. And snapshots of broken bicycles will only get you so far...

I know you don't want to be "mainstream" and create what sells, but here's a tip: what sells is what is needed.  :)

And regarding SEO, that can definitely be much improved.


I have no idea what  "SEO" means.

Why did you pick out the old bicycle shot when there are better examples of better stock images ?
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 16, 2018, 10:13
I have no idea what  "SEO" means.

Why did you pick out the old bicycle shot when there are better examples of better stock images ?

SEO means Search Engine Optimization = the way you keyword, write descriptions and titles.

That is the most important part, more important than quality, and should be a big part of the time spent on stock work.

To optimize sales, you need to thoroughly test each search engine and apply metadata accordingly. It is NOT the same on the different sites.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 16, 2018, 10:34
I haven't the time to do this.  all the relevant keywords are there. Trust me.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 16, 2018, 10:40
I haven't the time to do this. Besides, all the relevant keywords are there. Trust me.

Yeah, it's not that simple.

No time to do this? Then don't complain about sales. SEO is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING when selling anything online.

You need to find out for each search engine:

"industry secrets"

And much more. I don't really care if you do this or not, it's just a bit tiring with the constant "everyone is against me" posts on each and every forum. Everyone is not against you. Only yourself by not doing 100% of what you can to maximize sales.

Just take the time you spend here, on the Pond5 forum, the Envato forum etc. and apply it to something productive.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 16, 2018, 10:42
They change the algorithms every 5 mins anyway so that would be time wasted.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 16, 2018, 10:43
Only they don't... I have clips in roughly the same (page 1-2) positions for common search terms that have stayed like that for years. If they get sales, they stay.

Well, now you know what can be done at least. Best of luck!
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 16, 2018, 11:17
Only they don't... I have clips in roughly the same (page 1-2) positions for common search terms that have stayed like that for years. If they get sales, they stay.

Well, now you know what can be done at least. Best of luck!

That list you made is impossible to cover. I think this is a wind up or you have a lot of time on your hands.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 16, 2018, 11:20
Only they don't... I have clips in roughly the same (page 1-2) positions for common search terms that have stayed like that for years. If they get sales, they stay.

Well, now you know what can be done at least. Best of luck!

That list you made is impossible to cover. I think this is a wind up or you have a lot of time on your hands.

Impossible? Sure, I've spent quite a few hours on it, but impossible? I don't think so.

And yes, I do have quite a bit of time these days, because I have worked a lot to get regular sales and don't have to stress about creating new content all the time.

Isn't that the whole point of this type of job? To have a lot of free time once a big enough (and good enough) portfolio is up?
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 16, 2018, 12:14
I can't possible find out all that criteria by searching every single file. If you did this with relative ease why not share the results and save us all the time ?
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 16, 2018, 12:21
I can't possible find out all that criteria by searching every single file. If you did this with relative ease why not share the results and save us all the time ?

Well, I have spent quite a few hours on it and I'm not that helpful (or dumb) to give it all away to the competition. Do the work. And keep it to yourself.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 16, 2018, 12:27
Surely you have nothing to worry about the competition if you are confident in your work ? Simply bragging about it and pulling up the ladder isn't helpful to fellow members here. :-\
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 16, 2018, 12:29
Everyone has a lot to worry about from competition. I worry about it. As I said, SEO is more important than quality. Being overconfident in your work and spilling the recipe for success is one of the dumbest things you can do in a business with zero barrier to entry, and a sure way to decrease your sales.

Do the work instead of coming up with conspiracy theories all day long.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 16, 2018, 12:39
No because it's impossible. How do you know you are not just lucky with your exposure ? Like I said, once all the keywords are there it's pretty much covered. I have no problem finding my work on all sites.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 16, 2018, 12:41
I have no problem finding my work on all sites.

Perfect! Then you know that the customers find other assets that they prefer over yours when they search and it's the content you need to improve, not the SEO.

Or that the market simply isn't there for your content.

But I guess since you have perfect SEO (even though you didn't even know of the term SEO) and perfect content, the only possible reason for low sales must be a conspiracy from all sites (Envato, Pond5, Shutterstock etc.) to single YOU out and make sure you don't get the sales you so clearly deserve.

It's time to wake up.  :)
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 16, 2018, 12:48
Nope because I earned a lot of sales in March. I will leave you to wallow in your smugness.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 17, 2018, 04:24
Also, why so many other people suddenly experiencing an unusaly sudden drop in sales ? This thread for instance ? Again, this is abnormal and beyond our control.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Artist on May 17, 2018, 05:43
Sales are avg here.. nothing too much dropped and neither its on high
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: BalkanskiMacak on May 17, 2018, 06:21
Also, why so many other people suddenly experiencing an unusaly sudden drop in sales ? This thread for instance ? Again, this is abnormal and beyond our control.

Actually, not that many people complained on this thread. I remember the last time we got a serious issue on SS (probably in March, when the sales appeared on the map, but not in the reports), there certainly two to three times more reports on the forum.

In any case, you will see it much more people complaining here about the lack of sales than people telling they are satisfied by their sales level. It's a forum, so most of the people will actually share their problems, but it does not mean the problems are general.

As told before, not having sales in the beginning of May isn't that abnormal, due to the national holidays. In some European countries, there are up to 3 days off in two weeks (the 1st and 2nd of May, plus the 9th of May), resulting in the economy seriously slowing down. Therefore, I wasn't that preoccupied by the results.

From what you are saying, you are experiencing a bad month, it is upsetting, but it does not look abnormal for the moment. There may be new competitors on your niche, a seasonal issue, or a business issue.

That being said, as others were mentioning, there is still another issue, the fact that, on most of the cases, the RPI is decreasing. It is a slow trend, but all my stats, monthly, quarterly and yearly, are showing it...
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Pauws99 on May 17, 2018, 07:49
Also, why so many other people suddenly experiencing an unusaly sudden drop in sales ? This thread for instance ? Again, this is abnormal and beyond our control.
I think hardly a month goes by without a few people experiencing an "unusually" high drop in sales statisticians call it statistical variations other call it luck or those that are experiencing a large increase call it skill. It happens often enough for it not to be abnormal.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: PZF on May 18, 2018, 02:12
And, I have to say, looking at the appalling quality of SOME of the new stuff being accepted I'd be pretty amazed if it DID sell.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 18, 2018, 02:22
And, I have to say, looking at the appalling quality of SOME of the new stuff being accepted I'd be pretty amazed if it DID sell.

It's easier to blame someone than to accept that your work is not up to par commercially.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: changingsky on May 18, 2018, 02:49
"Actually, not that many people complained on this thread."
Yes and it is normal. Useless. Thank you for some people which have shared the info, that is. Looking at diagrams of my account i see changes like steps of stair-case. Good month is following with the bad one. There is no curves in monthly sales diagram, really steps. Before (incl 2016) changes were looking like curves, descending-ascending except the steps of overnight changes. That was reported here and it was in the same chronological order like others. Generally the volume of sales is fallen in may.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 18, 2018, 13:22
And, I have to say, looking at the appalling quality of SOME of the new stuff being accepted I'd be pretty amazed if it DID sell.

It's easier to blame someone than to accept that your work is not up to par commercially.

Earlier you said quality isn't important but keywording is. I would be interested to see your work if you provide a link ?
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 18, 2018, 13:26
And, I have to say, looking at the appalling quality of SOME of the new stuff being accepted I'd be pretty amazed if it DID sell.

It's easier to blame someone than to accept that your work is not up to par commercially.

Earlier you said quality isn't important but keywording is. I would be interested to see your work if you provide a link ?

I never said quality wasn't important. Of course it is. I said SEO is more important, because the world's greatest clip will never be found without the proper metadata.

But a good enough clip that is #1 in the search is much, much more likely to be bought than a better clip that comes in on page 17.

Naturally, the combination of really good SEO/ranking AND a top quality clip is what makes a bestseller.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 18, 2018, 13:33
And can we see a link to your portfolio ?
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 18, 2018, 13:34
And can we see a link to your portfolio ?

Why do you need that? There are enough copycats as there is.

Unlike others, I actively work to protect my business, not invite others to compete. I've already had assets blatantly stolen and put up for sale. I know you've had that too, and I do my best to avoid it.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 18, 2018, 14:02
I didn't think you would.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 19, 2018, 02:48
More threads on ss about drop in buyers, algorithm changes affecting sales etc. Surley all these people, including excellent photograhers cant be wrong ?
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 19, 2018, 03:07
More threads on ss about drop in buyers, algorithm changes affecting sales etc. Surley all these people, including excellent photograhers cant be wrong ?

A drop in sales and manipulation of an individual's (or a few) sales are not the same thing. I hope you can understand this.

How many sellers do you think there are at Shutterstock? How many post here (or at the other forums)? I think you will find that forum posters divided by the total number of sellers equals a tiny, tiny, miniscule percentage.

By the way, April was my BME for footage at Shutterstock. And May is doing just fine so far. January was quite bad. Do I think they're manipulating my sales? No.

Every month someone will have their worst month, or a horrible one. And they will angrily post about it in a couple of forums. Every month someone else will have their BME.

The thing is that people are much more likely to raise their voice when they're unhappy with something, than if everything's just fine.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Pauws99 on May 19, 2018, 03:44
I don't think anyone denies changing algorithms affects sales. The reason SS change algorithms is to maximise their income not to persecute certain contributors. Some people will benefit some will lose out.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 19, 2018, 03:52
Its funny that seasoned pros like Laurin have experienced decline for some time. Ss is in decline FACT. I have an image in a specific genre that comes out first image on the first page if I thpe the basic keywords but it has declined in sales.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 19, 2018, 04:01
Its funny that seasoned pros like Laurin have experienced decline for some time. Ss is in decline FACT. I have an image in a specific genre that comes out first image on the first page if I thpe the basic keywords but it has declined in sales.

Some "seasoned pros" have very outdated portfolios.

And are you suddenly talking about an overall decline over the years? I thought we were talking about agencies manipulating your sales month to month... Or on the 15th every month...

So, what are we talking about?
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Pauws99 on May 19, 2018, 04:26
I usually find "Facts" emphasised in capitals to be anything but. The facts I rely on are the quarterly audited reports that SS publish these seem to show SS are pretty static. The success or otherwise of SS does not directly relate to the income of individual contributors.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 19, 2018, 04:54
I usually find "Facts" emphasised in capitals to be anything but. The facts I rely on are the quarterly audited reports that SS publish these seem to show SS are pretty static. The success or otherwise of SS does not directly relate to the income of individual contributors.

Conspiracy theorists are usually not that big on facts and numbers, aside from using BIG letters as "proof".

2012

paid downloads - 76 million
revenue per download $2.23

2013

paid downloads - 100.1 million
revenue per download $2.35

2014

paid downloads - 125.9 million
revenue per download - $2.58

2015

paid downloads - 147.2 million
revenue per download - $2.83

2016

paid downloads - 167.9 million
revenue per download - $2.88

2017

paid downloads - 172 million
revenue per download - $3.13

2018

First quarter 2018 paid downloads - 43.7
First quarter 2018 revenue per download - $3.40

First quarter 2017 paid downloads - 43.5
First quarter 2017 revenue per download - $2.91

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shutterstock-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2013-financial-results-246399331.html (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shutterstock-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2013-financial-results-246399331.html)

So Shutterstock the company is doing just fine, but since the number of images and contributors increase so much, individual contributors can of course experience a decline.

However, this has nothing to do with the month-to-month manipulation. No one's saying it's not harder for the average contributor to sell stock. It most likely is.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 19, 2018, 12:02
Never mind the stats, lets see your portfolio.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: BalkanskiMacak on May 19, 2018, 12:11
Never mind the stats, lets see your portfolio.

Well, making money out of microstock is actually much more about stats than portfolio...
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Zero Talent on May 19, 2018, 12:16
Because the patterns repeat the same every month which is a bit of a giveaway.
Except when they don't and you have a "one off" month

I'm currently having one of these "one off" months with consistent daily sales, better than any other month, since more than a year.

The algorithm is manipulated, indeed!

In my favor!  ;D

It takes Herg's and Rinder's sales away and it gives them to me  :P
Their tin foil hats are not very effective.  ;D
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: tätarätä on May 21, 2018, 09:18
No sales since one week!!!!
Lots of sales on Adobe Stock and istock.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Stockmaan on May 21, 2018, 09:19
Dead!
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Artist on May 21, 2018, 10:34
slow from past 5 days.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: HalfFull on May 21, 2018, 16:23
I usually find "Facts" emphasised in capitals to be anything but. The facts I rely on are the quarterly audited reports that SS publish these seem to show SS are pretty static. The success or otherwise of SS does not directly relate to the income of individual contributors.

Yeah, that's what freaked the investors. Little to no increase in volume after SS targets / hopes wanted a reasonable increase. I think SS acknowledge that they'd like to do better, and probably will, but investors were a little shaken and the share price fell. Next quarter will be interesting.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 21, 2018, 16:57
Dead!

Yep, stone dead and many more are saying the same thing. Absolutely diabolical ss has become after REGULAR sales.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Pauws99 on May 22, 2018, 01:06
I usually find "Facts" emphasised in capitals to be anything but. The facts I rely on are the quarterly audited reports that SS publish these seem to show SS are pretty static. The success or otherwise of SS does not directly relate to the income of individual contributors.

Yeah, that's what freaked the investors. Little to no increase in volume after SS targets / hopes wanted a reasonable increase. I think SS acknowledge that they'd like to do better, and probably will, but investors were a little shaken and the share price fell. Next quarter will be interesting.
Seems to be creeping back up.....some investors seem to have short memories...without looking I think this has been a regular pattern the last few reports.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: jonbull on May 22, 2018, 09:36
the problem is not the number but the quality. used to 2 3 78 and more download per month...since january totally gone, maximum 14 dollar...this month last 10 days only 4 2,85 dollar sale rest sub.
for me what is impacting is also the fact that people can easily find free photo from instagram to the new free website.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: jonbull on May 23, 2018, 12:14
they should change name

SHUTTERSUBS
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Dumc on May 23, 2018, 13:37
Go away.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: jonbull on May 23, 2018, 14:41
Go away.

what do u want..easy speaks behind a glass dumb...no? keyboard warriors and mediocre photographer.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: ThinkingLouder on May 24, 2018, 11:32
At this time Contributors should have a raise...from 2.85 to 4.25.... it is 10 years without any raise, and please start to complaint if not in 10 more years you still have 2,85 that equals according inflation through 20 years to 10 cents
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on May 25, 2018, 11:52
it's utter C**p and more and more are complaining.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: pics2 on May 25, 2018, 14:11
At this time Contributors should have a raise...from 2.85 to 4.25.... it is 10 years without any raise, and please start to complaint if not in 10 more years you still have 2,85 that equals according inflation through 20 years to 10 cents
That's right and worrying.
If we assume that yearly inflation is 2.5%, it is around 28% after 10 years. That means 2.85 should be 3.65 now.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 25, 2018, 15:03
That's right and worrying.
If we assume that yearly inflation is 2.5%, it is around 28% after 10 years. That means 2.85 should be 3.65 now.

But it wasn't. The last 10 years US inflation was 16.4%. So $3.32 is the magical number.  ;)
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Mir on May 25, 2018, 17:01
Do you have any recent sods as mine stopped.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: pics2 on May 26, 2018, 07:25
That's right and worrying.
If we assume that yearly inflation is 2.5%, it is around 28% after 10 years. That means 2.85 should be 3.65 now.

But it wasn't. The last 10 years US inflation was 16.4%. So $3.32 is the magical number.  ;)
What an inflation calculator gives you is a different thing  then a real life experience. Even ten years ago low risk funds were returning 2,5% per year, the ones for low risk investor with sole aim to fight inflation. So, investing in these funds 10 years ago would give you 28% return.
But, thanks for providing the exact numbers ;)
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Pauws99 on May 26, 2018, 08:09
That's right and worrying.
If we assume that yearly inflation is 2.5%, it is around 28% after 10 years. That means 2.85 should be 3.65 now.

But it wasn't. The last 10 years US inflation was 16.4%. So $3.32 is the magical number.  ;)
What an inflation calculator gives you is a different thing  then a real life experience. Even ten years ago low risk funds were returning 2,5% per year, the ones for low risk investor with sole aim to fight inflation. So, investing in these funds 10 years ago would give you 28% return.
But, thanks for providing the exact numbers ;)
Why would any business give an increase to suppliers when they are flooded with new supply? Its not going to happen. An inflation calculator is an average....the cost of producing images has probably fallen. Return on Investment is not really anything to do with inflation....but interesting to compare whether all those  $$$s spend on cameras, software, models props etc generates more than investing in funds.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 26, 2018, 08:15
What an inflation calculator gives you is a different thing  then a real life experience.

No, it gives you exactly the real life experience. 2008-2018 the US inflation was 16.4%, which means the average was just above 1.32% per year.

Even ten years ago low risk funds were returning 2,5% per year, the ones for low risk investor with sole aim to fight inflation. So, investing in these funds 10 years ago would give you 28% return.
But, thanks for providing the exact numbers ;)

What do low risk funds have to do with anything? They could just as easily have gone down 10% while the inflation was still 16.4%, unless those funds included a small piece of exactly everything in the US economy.

If your low risk fund went up 2.5% per year 2008-2018, great! You beat inflation. But inflation was still 1.32% per year on average.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: pics2 on May 26, 2018, 09:17
What an inflation calculator gives you is a different thing  then a real life experience.

No, it gives you exactly the real life experience. 2008-2018 the US inflation was 16.4%, which means the average was just above 1.32% per year.

Even ten years ago low risk funds were returning 2,5% per year, the ones for low risk investor with sole aim to fight inflation. So, investing in these funds 10 years ago would give you 28% return.
But, thanks for providing the exact numbers ;)

What do low risk funds have to do with anything? They could just as easily have gone down 10% while the inflation was still 16.4%, unless those funds included a small piece of exactly everything in the US economy.

If your low risk fund went up 2.5% per year 2008-2018, great! You beat inflation. But inflation was still 1.32% per year on average.
If you are going to spend your money on every single product of US economy, like coal and lignite, beside bread, clothes and real estate, than yes, it is real life experience. The funds reflect the real inflation much better, because investor is deciding between investing in a fund and a house, for example, and the market dictates what returns are realistic.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Pauws99 on May 26, 2018, 10:14
What an inflation calculator gives you is a different thing  then a real life experience.

No, it gives you exactly the real life experience. 2008-2018 the US inflation was 16.4%, which means the average was just above 1.32% per year.

Even ten years ago low risk funds were returning 2,5% per year, the ones for low risk investor with sole aim to fight inflation. So, investing in these funds 10 years ago would give you 28% return.
But, thanks for providing the exact numbers ;)

What do low risk funds have to do with anything? They could just as easily have gone down 10% while the inflation was still 16.4%, unless those funds included a small piece of exactly everything in the US economy.

If your low risk fund went up 2.5% per year 2008-2018, great! You beat inflation. But inflation was still 1.32% per year on average.
If you are going to spend your money on every single product of US economy, like coal and lignite, beside bread, clothes and real estate, than yes, it is real life experience. The funds reflect the real inflation much better, because investor is deciding between investing in a fund and a house, for example, and the market dictates what returns are realistic.
The return on an Investment fund has nothing whatsoever to do with inflation. I assume the US is similar to the UK where the inflation rate is calculated on a profile of an average consumer....which is as close to "real" as you are likely to get. (whatever that means).
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: rinderart on May 29, 2018, 20:08
It's obvious here that there are many (who are probably doing well) looking at life through SS tinted glasses. Sales have stopped dead for no reason for a few days THIS IS NOT NORMAL !!!!!!! THIS IS MANIPULATION OF THE ALGORITHMS.

Several things:
SS (probably) doesn't manipulate individual algorithms. However, they are frequently modifying it, which is understandable. Tbh, I would pay a lot to know how to be always on first position, as I would be able to earn even more money. Therefore, the algorithm remains secret, but time passing by, several criteria start to become obvious, thus leading SS to change it, even slightly. Furthermore, it is a good way to experiment parameters that could be more profitable. It lacks of transparency, but at least it prevents spam and algorithm bombing.

Seen from the point of view of someone who has been managing webadvertisement accounts, I don't see it shocking. Even on mid businesses, with several hundred sales a month, there were huge differences, day after day. Furthermore, there are business specifics you don't always understand. Coming back to SS, for instance, I have noticed over the past months that most of my sales will occur during the middle of the month. Knowing the fact that I have uploaded pictures of various topics during this time, I can't explain it, but I don't call this a trend, and, in some case, seasonality.

To summarize, I see as well pretty impressive stalls (-70% sales between the first and the second half of March, for instance), they are pretty stressful, but I don't see them as an issue, as long as the mid term and long term indicators remain positive.

One last thing: if there were a conspiracy I could believe in that could explain most of the irregularities, but that I haven't been able to prove, it's the theory that SS is trying to hide technical issues impacting the sales record adjusting the revenue afterwards with SOD's and other "adjustable" rates. Over the past months, I have noticed indeed that every drop in sales that was due to an official (or non official) issue on the website was followed by one or several SOD's of higher rates that I could not track. I have no proofs of it, maybe it's just my need for order, but it's not that impossible, given that I have done it in another field of webmarketing, working for a platform dealing with digital inventories.

What would you say to someone that gets the basic same amount of sales 7 days a week for the Last 3 Months Give or take 1/2 Images. Lucky?
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: derek on May 29, 2018, 23:17
It's obvious here that there are many (who are probably doing well) looking at life through SS tinted glasses. Sales have stopped dead for no reason for a few days THIS IS NOT NORMAL !!!!!!! THIS IS MANIPULATION OF THE ALGORITHMS.

Several things:
SS (probably) doesn't manipulate individual algorithms. However, they are frequently modifying it, which is understandable. Tbh, I would pay a lot to know how to be always on first position, as I would be able to earn even more money. Therefore, the algorithm remains secret, but time passing by, several criteria start to become obvious, thus leading SS to change it, even slightly. Furthermore, it is a good way to experiment parameters that could be more profitable. It lacks of transparency, but at least it prevents spam and algorithm bombing.

Seen from the point of view of someone who has been managing webadvertisement accounts, I don't see it shocking. Even on mid businesses, with several hundred sales a month, there were huge differences, day after day. Furthermore, there are business specifics you don't always understand. Coming back to SS, for instance, I have noticed over the past months that most of my sales will occur during the middle of the month. Knowing the fact that I have uploaded pictures of various topics during this time, I can't explain it, but I don't call this a trend, and, in some case, seasonality.

To summarize, I see as well pretty impressive stalls (-70% sales between the first and the second half of March, for instance), they are pretty stressful, but I don't see them as an issue, as long as the mid term and long term indicators remain positive.

One last thing: if there were a conspiracy I could believe in that could explain most of the irregularities, but that I haven't been able to prove, it's the theory that SS is trying to hide technical issues impacting the sales record adjusting the revenue afterwards with SOD's and other "adjustable" rates. Over the past months, I have noticed indeed that every drop in sales that was due to an official (or non official) issue on the website was followed by one or several SOD's of higher rates that I could not track. I have no proofs of it, maybe it's just my need for order, but it's not that impossible, given that I have done it in another field of webmarketing, working for a platform dealing with digital inventories.

What would you say to someone that gets the basic same amount of sales 7 days a week for the Last 3 Months Give or take 1/2 Images. Lucky?

Its so incredibly rigged and cooked!!.   people are leaving in droves and at BS as well. I PM you about something! you wont believe this!
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: BalkanskiMacak on May 30, 2018, 02:49
It's obvious here that there are many (who are probably doing well) looking at life through SS tinted glasses. Sales have stopped dead for no reason for a few days THIS IS NOT NORMAL !!!!!!! THIS IS MANIPULATION OF THE ALGORITHMS.

Several things:
SS (probably) doesn't manipulate individual algorithms. However, they are frequently modifying it, which is understandable. Tbh, I would pay a lot to know how to be always on first position, as I would be able to earn even more money. Therefore, the algorithm remains secret, but time passing by, several criteria start to become obvious, thus leading SS to change it, even slightly. Furthermore, it is a good way to experiment parameters that could be more profitable. It lacks of transparency, but at least it prevents spam and algorithm bombing.

Seen from the point of view of someone who has been managing webadvertisement accounts, I don't see it shocking. Even on mid businesses, with several hundred sales a month, there were huge differences, day after day. Furthermore, there are business specifics you don't always understand. Coming back to SS, for instance, I have noticed over the past months that most of my sales will occur during the middle of the month. Knowing the fact that I have uploaded pictures of various topics during this time, I can't explain it, but I don't call this a trend, and, in some case, seasonality.

To summarize, I see as well pretty impressive stalls (-70% sales between the first and the second half of March, for instance), they are pretty stressful, but I don't see them as an issue, as long as the mid term and long term indicators remain positive.

One last thing: if there were a conspiracy I could believe in that could explain most of the irregularities, but that I haven't been able to prove, it's the theory that SS is trying to hide technical issues impacting the sales record adjusting the revenue afterwards with SOD's and other "adjustable" rates. Over the past months, I have noticed indeed that every drop in sales that was due to an official (or non official) issue on the website was followed by one or several SOD's of higher rates that I could not track. I have no proofs of it, maybe it's just my need for order, but it's not that impossible, given that I have done it in another field of webmarketing, working for a platform dealing with digital inventories.

What would you say to someone that gets the basic same amount of sales 7 days a week for the Last 3 Months Give or take 1/2 Images. Lucky?

No, just that your sales are stable...
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Asthebelltolls on May 30, 2018, 08:10
May is going to be a shockingly bad SS month for me. Probably less income than my first year with the agency. Am I worried? No.

The only important statistic, and I know I'm repeating myself, is your yearly income. So far, year after year - for my first 6 years - overall income has increased. If that changes at the end of 2018 I'll be concerned. In the meantime I'm not going to sweat a particularly bad month. Its just the nature of the business and I'll look forward to better than average months down the road.

BTW. SS is terrible this month but Pond5 has made up for it with an exceptionally good May. 
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Video-StockOrg on May 30, 2018, 08:31
well, our yearly income in 2017 was identical to 2016. Are we worried? Sure we are. We can assume that they are capping our sales or SS overall sales are going down.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 30, 2018, 09:13
well, our yearly income in 2017 was identical to 2016. Are we worried? Sure we are. We can assume that they are capping our sales or SS overall sales are going down.

...or you can assume that you worked just hard enough to keep your sales despite an exponential increase in competition. The expected result in such a scenario would be decreased sales unless you worked hard to add to your portfolio.

And we have already established that Shutterstock overall sales are going up. That is public information.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Zero Talent on May 30, 2018, 11:34
What would you say to someone that gets the basic same amount of sales 7 days a week for the Last 3 Months Give or take 1/2 Images. Lucky?

It could mean that Shutterstock put you on black list or that customers only want so much of your work, these days.

You can obviously choose the most convenient explanation and always blame a conspiracy for your performance.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Video-StockOrg on May 30, 2018, 12:34
well, our yearly income in 2017 was identical to 2016. Are we worried? Sure we are. We can assume that they are capping our sales or SS overall sales are going down.

...or you can assume that you worked just hard enough to keep your sales despite an exponential increase in competition. The expected result in such a scenario would be decreased sales unless you worked hard to add to your portfolio.

And we have already established that Shutterstock overall sales are going up. That is public information.

Can't see how your statement can hold, we always had much better results with each new year... and we still added many new video footage to collections.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 30, 2018, 12:53
well, our yearly income in 2017 was identical to 2016. Are we worried? Sure we are. We can assume that they are capping our sales or SS overall sales are going down.

...or you can assume that you worked just hard enough to keep your sales despite an exponential increase in competition. The expected result in such a scenario would be decreased sales unless you worked hard to add to your portfolio.

And we have already established that Shutterstock overall sales are going up. That is public information.

Can't see how your statement can hold, we always had much better results with each new year... and we still added many new video footage to collections.

My 2017 at Shutterstock was 59% better than 2016. Does that mean that I think that EVERYONE experienced that? No.

Individual sales patterns will vary as many times as there are individuals. You can't assume anything based on that. There could be a million reasons why your sales increase, decrease or stay the same.

Historical sales doesn't necessarily mean you can predict future sales. Nothing continues to go up forever. At some point you will see resistance.

At Fotolia, 2017 sales were only 79% of 2016 for example. But now, in 2018, I will pass 2016 total sales in June already, and I have already passed 2017 total sales.

At Pond5, my sales can fluctuate $1,000 up or down from one month to the next.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Phadrea on June 04, 2018, 13:42
This is clearly turning into the boasting thread.
Title: Re: ss no sales
Post by: Pauws99 on June 05, 2018, 01:18
This is clearly turning into the boasting thread.
Only threads bewailing drops in sales should be allowed.