Author Topic: CS Categories - Worth it or not? (Read 9382 times)

Carl · « **on:** June 19, 2012, 22:25 »

Since there's no functionality on CS allowing a bulk assignment of categories, I'm wondering if it's worth the time and effort to assign up to three categories for each photo after it's approved. Does anyone have any data indicating how much buyers use the category function to locate and purchase images? I myself just do keyword searches when I'm looking for a particular type of image. Am I unique in that regard?

Sales for me at CS are only occasional, so I can't justify spending a lot of time on the site.

sgoodwin4813 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2012, 23:04 »

I always liked CanStock because it doesn't bother about categories - I didn't realize you could assign them. I never have. My sales there are about 12% what I do on Shutterstock - about the same as the poll. My guess is it doesn't matter.

lisafx · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2012, 11:38 »

I never assign categories on CS. Can't see that it has hurt my sales any. FWIW, I do take the time to link similar images into series using their series manager. I think that helps sales.

Duncan_CSP · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2012, 12:24 »

Our search engine does not use tagged categories for ranking, so leaving them blank won't impact your search ranking in any way.

With that said, there is still a benefit if you have the time, as it can help in Google ranking, etc. It won't make or break these rankings either, but every bit helps.

But as Lisa mentioned, tagging images to series definitely does help, as it directly controls how your images are cross-promoted. People who tag their images into series statistically sell more images on average.

lisafx · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2012, 12:41 »

Quote from: Duncan_CSP on June 20, 2012, 12:24

But as Lisa mentioned, tagging images to series definitely does help, as it directly controls how your images are cross-promoted. People who tag their images into series statistically sell more images on average.

Thanks for weighing in Duncan. Seemed like a good way to cross promote, and it's very easy to do with the application on the site. Glad to know it's working

luissantos84 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2012, 13:56 »

nice tip Duncan! it seems a little slow (the series editor), I am doing a few

1 - serie name is quite small, consider increasing it
2 - a search by keyword would be nice too

leaf · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2012, 14:00 »

If you want bulk editing/ submitting on Canstock and other sites you should be using MicrostockSubmitter.

lisafx · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2012, 14:47 »

Quote from: Duncan_CSP on June 20, 2012, 14:35

Quote from: luissantos84 on June 20, 2012, 13:56
nice tip Duncan! it seems a little slow (the series editor), I am doing a few

1 - serie name is quite small, consider increasing it

Ask and you shall received - the maximum series name is now doubled in size. Thanks for the suggestion!

You're kidding! I've been laboring along with this issue for years!

Glad Christian had the good sense to ask! And thanks for lengthening it Duncan

luissantos84 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 20, 2012, 14:49 »

thanks Duncan, appreciate it

Duncan_CSP · « **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2012, 15:16 »

haha sorry Lisa, I have no idea why it was set so small. There really wasn't an obvious reason for that.

If something is bugging you or can use improvement, we're always happy to hear!

Dan · « **Reply #11 on:** June 21, 2012, 16:49 »

Guess i still got too few images right now. Hopefully soon i can add more.

Dan · « **Reply #12 on:** June 21, 2012, 16:51 »

Yeah only 25 accepted.

lisafx · « **Reply #13 on:** June 21, 2012, 17:03 »

Quote from: Duncan_CSP on June 20, 2012, 15:16

If something is bugging you or can use improvement, we're always happy to hear!

Good to know for the future

Carl · « **Reply #14 on:** June 22, 2012, 08:15 »

Thanks for weighing in , Duncan. I routinely associate photos with series as appropriate, and it takes very little time. In order to facilitate the assignment of categories, it would help tremendously if we could select a number of photos - presumably with a check box - and assign categories to the selected photos in one operation, much like the assignment of photos to a series. In fact, maybe you can look at combining the two functionalities. It might be a good idea to keep the option of assigning categories to individual photos, but having to select categories for one photo at a time in a newly-uploaded batch is cumbersome and time-consuming.

sgoodwin4813 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 22, 2012, 08:35 »

Quote from: csproductions on June 22, 2012, 08:15

Thanks for weighing in , Duncan. I routinely associate photos with series as appropriate, and it takes very little time. In order to facilitate the assignment of categories, it would help tremendously if we could select a number of photos - presumably with a check box - and assign categories to the selected photos in one operation, much like the assignment of photos to a series. In fact, maybe you can look at combining the two functionalities. It might be a good idea to keep the option of assigning categories to individual photos, but having to select categories for one photo at a time in a newly-uploaded batch is cumbersome and time-consuming.

+1
We don't mind extra work if it results in more sales. I wasn't aware of the series but now am making some - we will see if it helps. Thanks for starting this thread - it was very useful.

Duncan_CSP · « **Reply #16 on:** June 22, 2012, 09:18 »

csproductions,

Absolutely, I fully agree. More batch related functions are very much on our wish-list. We are working on some customer-side improvements over the coming months, but an update to the submission process is probably not too far away. As always, appreciate the feedback!

Duncan

Mantis · « **Reply #17 on:** June 22, 2012, 18:15 »

Quote from: Duncan_CSP on June 22, 2012, 09:18

csproductions,

Absolutely, I fully agree. More batch related functions are very much on our wish-list. We are working on some customer-side improvements over the coming months, but an update to the submission process is probably not too far away. As always, appreciate the feedback!

Duncan

I really like the upload process at CanStockPhoto, just need better sales. As of this moment I am going to apply my Picasso talent to my images....enough of this red apple sh_t!!

qwerty · « **Reply #18 on:** June 22, 2012, 22:06 »

I hadn't used the series editor before.

It only shows 513 photos where I have 850 approved photos.

Any ideas ?

klsbear · « **Reply #19 on:** June 22, 2012, 23:16 »

Quote from: Duncan_CSP on June 20, 2012, 15:16

If something is bugging you or can use improvement, we're always happy to hear!

Duncan, I'd like to see the option to include an image in more than one series. I have some images that would fit into more than one such as a hot cocoa shot that fits into Beverages and Christmas.

qwerty · « **Reply #20 on:** June 23, 2012, 23:16 »

Quote from: klsbear on June 22, 2012, 23:16

Quote from: Duncan_CSP on June 20, 2012, 15:16

If something is bugging you or can use improvement, we're always happy to hear!

Duncan, I'd like to see the option to include an image in more than one series. I have some images that would fit into more than one such as a hot cocoa shot that fits into Beverages and Christmas.

That answers my question, they disappear from the total when you include them in a series.

Yes multiple series would be good.

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Author Topic: CS Categories - Worth it or not? (Read 9382 times)

Carl

sgoodwin4813

lisafx

Duncan_CSP

lisafx

luissantos84

leaf

Duncan_CSP

lisafx

luissantos84

Duncan_CSP

Dan

Dan

lisafx

Carl

sgoodwin4813

Duncan_CSP

Mantis

qwerty

klsbear

qwerty

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