MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => 123RF => Topic started by: Jo Ann Snover on July 21, 2011, 15:22

Title: Links to free images in search results?
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on July 21, 2011, 15:22

I happened upon an image of mine in Google search results and when I clicked on the link back to 123rf, I was surprised to see a link above the image to "free images". I hadn't seen that on any of the image pages on 123rf before.

The link goes to their free section - which I don't contribute to - but it only appears if you land on that page via a Google search. If you search on the site, you get the regular image page, no link to the free section. See a screen shot comparison below.

To me, it seemed that the result was to encourage someone away from my image to the free section, and I couldn't see why on earth that was a good idea - for me or for 123rf. There was nothing in my search that indicated I was looking for free images. None of the other sites (that I saw on the checks I did for IS, SS, DT, CanStock, FotoSearch, Pixmac, etc.) do this.

Any opinions on this from other contributors?

Title: Re: Links to free images in search results?
Post by: CD123 on July 21, 2011, 16:17

Can also not see how that can assist the contributor or the site. The fact that the Google user already found your image was a successful marketing tool already in action and can possibly lead to a sale, way show potential business away?  ???

Title: Re: Links to free images in search results?
Post by: alex123rf on July 21, 2011, 21:52

Hi Joann,

You have brought up a good point in your post. We have discussed this in depth and we will open the link in a new window to ensure that the customer will not lose focus on your image (or any of our contributors') so that they can buy after registering and logging in.

Thank you very much for bringing this to our attention.

Alex.

Title: Re: Links to free images in search results?
Post by: microstockphoto.co.uk on July 22, 2011, 01:03

Quote from: alex123rf on July 21, 2011, 21:52

we will open the link in a new window

not sure the OP was concerned about the link target
or more about the link itself to the free section

Title: Re: Links to free images in search results?
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on July 22, 2011, 01:08

Glad to see a quick response - thanks.

Once you've made the change, let us know and we can take a look and see. I'm still not sure I understand how the revised presentation will avoid the implied message (as I read it) that someone shouldn't bother buying the image they clicked on but go for a freebie instead.

I have nothing against the free section, but I thought the goal was to convert freebies into sales, not the reverse...

Title: Re: Links to free images in search results?
Post by: alex123rf on July 22, 2011, 02:46

Understood, we'll monitor the situation from here and if any adverse effects come out, we'll know what to do.

Thank you very much for your suggestions :)

Alex.