Just wondering if anyone knows if some libraries use some kind of automated assessment of submisions.

The reason I ask is that one site I tried (shutterfarm) rejected almost an entire batch of images using exactly the same reason for each image: 'excessive noise or pixelation'.

The images concerned had neither and have been successfully submitted elsewhere.

This makes me very suspicious about the methods used to assess the pictures.

I think that what maybe happens is that if the find the same fault on the first few images they don't bother looking at the rest of the batch but just refuse them all.  Although I don't think you will find anybody admitting to doing this.

Yes but in the case I cite there was no noise or pixelation in any of the images concerned - the assessment was pure fiction.