I keep a Lightroom catalog of content approved at each site I upload to and, until yesterday, the total number in my Adobe catalog matched the total of approved images on site.
Yesterday, I noticed the catalog showed 3 more than my Adobe portfolio, and just assumed I'd made a mistake.
However, today, the portfolio has dropped by another 2, so 5 images are now missing in total.
Is anyone else experiencing this? I haven't received any email notification of image removals, which I've had in the past when a couple of images were removed for compliance reasons or duplication.
Yes im missing one file, it disappeared couple days ago. No notification from adobe side. In the past they always sent a message with removal information.
Quote from: Micha91 on February 21, 2026, 10:42
Yes im missing one file, it disappeared couple days ago. No notification from adobe side. In the past they always sent a message with removal information.
Thanks for confirming that it's not just me!
Maybe emails will come out after the weekend?
Quote from: kuriouskat on February 21, 2026, 10:50
Quote from: Micha91 on February 21, 2026, 10:42
Yes im missing one file, it disappeared couple days ago. No notification from adobe side. In the past they always sent a message with removal information.
Thanks for confirming that it's not just me!
Maybe emails will come out after the weekend?
🎖️ You're right and attentive. I got an email a couple weeks ago, that some images had been removed because of an audit. I don't keep a record of how many images I have. It said 6. Then I got another a week later that says 10. I stopped counting at 17. The link to see why, is vague and shows all "Not Accepted" images, so I had to click through until I found one that was:
Audit removal: Intellectual property
This content has been removed for violating of Adobe Stock's policy against submitting content that may infringe intellectual property rights. We have determined that this content is incompatible with the Stock Contributor Terms on the basis of an internal audit. For more information on this policy, why this content was found to be incompatible with the Terms, and your appeals options, please see the IP GuidelinesI wrote and appealed, saying they had been there for years and have been selling. Mysteriously, today I looked and the reason they are disabled has changed. So, fine, I'm not accused of infringing on IP rights anymore.
Non-compliant Image
Thanks for giving us the chance to consider your image. Unfortunately, we found that it doesn't meet our needs so we can't accept it into our collection.
Possible reasons:
- Non compliant use of another artist's name.
- Undeclared Generative AI Content.
- Content not compliant with overall guidelines:And another now says:
Illustrative Editorial Issue
Thanks for submitting your file for review.
Unfortunately, during our review we found that this file does not meet the Adobe Stock's Illustrative Editorial Guidelines.
We are looking for imagery intended to illustrate articles on current events and news, focused on conceptual imagery using real brands and products to convey strong ideas.
The most common cases for rejection from that collection are:
- The file includes identifiable people.
- The file is news or documentary editorial.
- The file did not have a strong editorial concept.
Other reasons may apply, to learn more about the reasons Adobe Stock may decline certain images, including more information about the Illustrative Editorial collection please visit this page: https://www.adobe.com/go/stock-contributor-help (https://www.adobe.com/go/stock-contributor-help)I'm not the only person who has appealed, only to find, that attracted more attention and someone went through and found more images to remove, as a result. Wow, Thank You. But in this case, I was hoping that explaining the laws and IP and Copyright, maybe I'd get a response. Nope, just the removal reason that has changed. Fine, I won't be trying to add anythin g like this in the future. ;)
If you get the email it will read something like this:
Updates on your Adobe Stock portfolio <<< The Subject
Hello Pete,
Some changes have been made to your portfolio after a re-review of some assets.
See below for more information.
SUMMARY
10
Were removed
Review and learn why Which is a link to Not Accepted. Here's a generic link for anyone who wants to see their Not Accepted https://contributor.stock.adobe.com/en/uploads/rejected (https://contributor.stock.adobe.com/en/uploads/rejected)
Good Luck! ☘︎ 🍀
(https://i.postimg.cc/rwJmhkMT/four-leaf-clover-hat-and-coins-bw-350.png)
Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 21, 2026, 17:13
Quote from: kuriouskat on February 21, 2026, 10:50
Quote from: Micha91 on February 21, 2026, 10:42
Yes im missing one file, it disappeared couple days ago. No notification from adobe side. In the past they always sent a message with removal information.
Thanks for confirming that it's not just me!
Maybe emails will come out after the weekend?
🎖️ You're right and attentive. I got an email a couple weeks ago, that some images had been removed because of an audit. I don't keep a record of how many images I have. It said 6. Then I got another a week later that says 10. I stopped counting at 17. The link to see why, is vague and shows all "Not Accepted" images, so I had to click through until I found one that was:
Audit removal: Intellectual property
This content has been removed for violating of Adobe Stock's policy against submitting content that may infringe intellectual property rights. We have determined that this content is incompatible with the Stock Contributor Terms on the basis of an internal audit. For more information on this policy, why this content was found to be incompatible with the Terms, and your appeals options, please see the IP Guidelines
I wrote and appealed, saying they had been there for years and have been selling. Mysteriously, today I looked and the reason they are disabled has changed. So, fine, I'm not accused of infringing on IP rights anymore.
Non-compliant Image
Thanks for giving us the chance to consider your image. Unfortunately, we found that it doesn't meet our needs so we can't accept it into our collection.
Possible reasons:
- Non compliant use of another artist's name.
- Undeclared Generative AI Content.
- Content not compliant with overall guidelines:
And another now says:
Illustrative Editorial Issue
Thanks for submitting your file for review.
Unfortunately, during our review we found that this file does not meet the Adobe Stock's Illustrative Editorial Guidelines.
We are looking for imagery intended to illustrate articles on current events and news, focused on conceptual imagery using real brands and products to convey strong ideas.
The most common cases for rejection from that collection are:
- The file includes identifiable people.
- The file is news or documentary editorial.
- The file did not have a strong editorial concept.
Other reasons may apply, to learn more about the reasons Adobe Stock may decline certain images, including more information about the Illustrative Editorial collection please visit this page: https://www.adobe.com/go/stock-contributor-help (https://www.adobe.com/go/stock-contributor-help)
I'm not the only person who has appealed, only to find, that attracted more attention and someone went through and found more images to remove, as a result. Wow, Thank You. But in this case, I was hoping that explaining the laws and IP and Copyright, maybe I'd get a response. Nope, just the removal reason that has changed. Fine, I won't be trying to add anythin g like this in the future. ;)
If you get the email it will read something like this:
Updates on your Adobe Stock portfolio <<< The Subject
Hello Pete,
Some changes have been made to your portfolio after a re-review of some assets.
See below for more information.
SUMMARY
10
Were removed
Review and learn why
Which is a link to Not Accepted. Here's a generic link for anyone who wants to see their Not Accepted https://contributor.stock.adobe.com/en/uploads/rejected (https://contributor.stock.adobe.com/en/uploads/rejected)
Good Luck! ☘︎ 🍀
(https://i.postimg.cc/rwJmhkMT/four-leaf-clover-hat-and-coins-bw-350.png)
I've found the missing 5 by going through the Not Approved section and finding the one's marked as Audit Removal.
I can't figure out why - 2 marked as IP, but they were submitted as illustrative editorial, and 3 pretty generic images - but at least I've figured out what's gone.
Thats alarming, but much more alarming is that we are all being replaced by AI soon.
Quote from: stockart on February 22, 2026, 11:42
Thats alarming, but much more alarming is that we are all being replaced by AI soon.
I've given it some thought, and the 3 generic ones
could be on the edge of IP issues, so if an abundance of caution was being applied, then maybe the removal is valid. I don't really have an issue with them being removed - only that they've been deactivated without any notification. They've been online for 11 years though, and had a few hundred sales, so possibly a bit late for action.
But yes, I do wonder whether this is AI screening without any human intervention.
Yup, I lost some very good sellers (Editorials) and many coin images now! Plus I did a role play of suicide images --- all gone now. Two of my editorials generated thousands of dollars. Between AI and I guess potential lawsuits this business blows now!
all critical topics removed, some left over but most , since months always 3-20 in batches. topics as e.g. protesting, financial crisis
Well I just received an email from Adobe regarding 2 of mine, so that's something. I just wish they'd send it at the point of action, rather than waiting a few days and leaving me searching and guessing. Nothing yet on the other 3.
Quote from: kuriouskat on February 22, 2026, 16:28
Well I just received an email from Adobe regarding 2 of mine, so that's something. I just wish they'd send it at the point of action, rather than waiting a few days and leaving me searching and guessing. Nothing yet on the other 3.
Mine were nearly all from Fotolia days. I actually think it's a good move, because they are going through and removing some things they don't want. I agree it's not timely and the link doesn't do much to ID what was removed. Between IP and not Illustrative Editorial, I understand. I don't like losing the income, but that's the way it goes.
I'm going to make sure that all of these images are on SSTK, IS and Alamy. :)
Next maybe they will remove the AI images that are uploaded in the real image section? That would be wonderful.
Similar here, after digging through the website (awful UI for finding it) on mine it looks like any Singapore skyline shots with Marina Bay in it. Not as main subject but background (its hard to get a Singapore image without it in somewhere!).
One removed is my top selling by volume SS image of al time with several sales every single day since uploaded.
I did not get emails about most of them. The mails seems to select 1 or 2 even if more have been removed silently.
Its almost as bad as Shutterstock which remove an image, send you an email with the image ID...Which you cant check as the image has already gone.
Quote from: gnirtS on February 23, 2026, 03:22
Its almost as bad as Shutterstock which remove an image, send you an email with the image ID...Which you cant check as the image has already gone.
I've had this happen too, but have found that if you Google
'Shutterstock Image ID:[Insert number]', and switch to images, it's usually still indexed for a while after deletion. I had a couple of the Sacre Coeur in Paris removed, and found them this way.
Quote from: kuriouskat on February 23, 2026, 08:11
Quote from: gnirtS on February 23, 2026, 03:22
Its almost as bad as Shutterstock which remove an image, send you an email with the image ID...Which you cant check as the image has already gone.
I've had this happen too, but have found that if you Google 'Shutterstock Image ID:[Insert number]', and switch to images, it's usually still indexed for a while after deletion. I had a couple of the Sacre Coeur in Paris removed, and found them this way.
AI crazy images of Sacre Coeur in Paris are not removed, and are accepted, there are thousands. Adobe loves shiit >:(
Quote from: DiscreetDuck on February 23, 2026, 10:17
Quote from: kuriouskat on February 23, 2026, 08:11
Quote from: gnirtS on February 23, 2026, 03:22
Its almost as bad as Shutterstock which remove an image, send you an email with the image ID...Which you cant check as the image has already gone.
I've had this happen too, but have found that if you Google 'Shutterstock Image ID:[Insert number]', and switch to images, it's usually still indexed for a while after deletion. I had a couple of the Sacre Coeur in Paris removed, and found them this way.
AI crazy images of Sacre Coeur in Paris are not removed, and are accepted, there are thousands. Adobe loves shiit >:(
I was referring to images removed from Shutterstock in this instance.
Adobe don't seam to have an issue with this subject, (yet!).
Yes, this is happening to many contributors, and it doesn't look like a random bug. Adobe Stock is currently running large‑scale internal audits, mainly targeting older content (often from the Fotolia era). As a result, files can disappear silently, with emails arriving days later, or only covering some of the removals. In many cases, the stated reason changes over time, first an IP audit, then "Non‑compliant" or "Illustrative Editorial Issue." Appeals rarely bring files back and sometimes trigger deeper reviews. What frustrates contributors most isn't the cleanup itself, but the lack of clear, timely communication, especially when long‑selling files vanish without warning.
Quote from: kuriouskat on February 23, 2026, 10:42
Quote from: DiscreetDuck on February 23, 2026, 10:17
Quote from: kuriouskat on February 23, 2026, 08:11
Quote from: gnirtS on February 23, 2026, 03:22
Its almost as bad as Shutterstock which remove an image, send you an email with the image ID...Which you cant check as the image has already gone.
I've had this happen too, but have found that if you Google 'Shutterstock Image ID:[Insert number]', and switch to images, it's usually still indexed for a while after deletion. I had a couple of the Sacre Coeur in Paris removed, and found them this way.
AI crazy images of Sacre Coeur in Paris are not removed, and are accepted, there are thousands. Adobe loves shiit >:(
I was referring to images removed from Shutterstock in this instance.
Adobe don't seam to have an issue with this subject, (yet!).
I was referring to images at Adobe in this instance.
The topic here is: "
Is Adobe removing content without telling us?" ;)
Quote from: DiscreetDuck on February 23, 2026, 11:10
Quote from: kuriouskat on February 23, 2026, 10:42
Quote from: DiscreetDuck on February 23, 2026, 10:17
Quote from: kuriouskat on February 23, 2026, 08:11
Quote from: gnirtS on February 23, 2026, 03:22
Its almost as bad as Shutterstock which remove an image, send you an email with the image ID...Which you cant check as the image has already gone.
I've had this happen too, but have found that if you Google 'Shutterstock Image ID:[Insert number]', and switch to images, it's usually still indexed for a while after deletion. I had a couple of the Sacre Coeur in Paris removed, and found them this way.
AI crazy images of Sacre Coeur in Paris are not removed, and are accepted, there are thousands. Adobe loves shiit >:(
I was referring to images removed from Shutterstock in this instance.
Adobe don't seam to have an issue with this subject, (yet!).
I was referring to images at Adobe in this instance.
The topic here is: "Is Adobe removing content without telling us?" ;)
I know the topic - I started the thread ;)
I was responding to gnirtS' references to Shutterstock image removal, as I felt the information might be of assistance.
Quote from: kuriouskat on February 23, 2026, 12:48
I know the topic - I started the thread ;)
I was responding to gnirtS' references to Shutterstock image removal, as I felt the information might be of assistance.
Yes ;)
Here is for AI at Shutterstock:
https://www.shutterstock.com/search/sacred-heart-paris?image_type=generated (https://www.shutterstock.com/search/sacred-heart-paris?image_type=generated)
https://www.shutterstock.com/search/sacr%c3%a9-coeur-paris?image_type=generated (https://www.shutterstock.com/search/sacr%c3%a9-coeur-paris?image_type=generated)
Quote from: DiscreetDuck on February 23, 2026, 13:23
Quote from: kuriouskat on February 23, 2026, 12:48
I know the topic - I started the thread ;)
I was responding to gnirtS' references to Shutterstock image removal, as I felt the information might be of assistance.
Yes ;)
Here is for AI at Shutterstock:
https://www.shutterstock.com/search/sacred-heart-paris?image_type=generated (https://www.shutterstock.com/search/sacred-heart-paris?image_type=generated)
https://www.shutterstock.com/search/sacr%c3%a9-coeur-paris?image_type=generated (https://www.shutterstock.com/search/sacr%c3%a9-coeur-paris?image_type=generated)
Yeah, that's from their own tool, and that collection is full of stuff that is problematic regarding intellectual property or trademarks, then it gets sold on as 'commercial content' but with a disclaimer that seems to absolve Shutterstock of any responsibility for future consequences.
Search Disney, Taylor Swift, Star Wars, Donald Trump, NFL, Eiffel Tower at Night, etc.etc. All the stuff that we can't upload is readily available if it's been created with AI.
I really don't get how it works for customers, but I suppose it is at their own risk?
I'm sorry but the only images we can safely upload now...
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FgkCk4fWIAAtBlW?format=jpg&name=small)
Oh....another example of deprioritizing "organic" content creators and prioritizing Ai garbage ?
Nothing new.
Sad but true.