Can I reffer a client to download from my portfolio or this is viewed by agencies as artificially inflating downloads?

Thanks

Can I reffer a client to download from my portfolio or this is viewed by agencies as artificially inflating downloads?

Thanks

What do you think all those referral links they give out are for? 

Of course you can, and should, refer clients to your portfolio. You just can't refer yourself. 

That's not artificially inflating downloads it exactly what the agency wants you to do. Bring them the customers and then they take a massive cut.

What you're not allowed to do is buy subscription and download all your own photos as that would actually make you a profit on some sites. Your also not allowed to buy your own photos on credits because you could significantly effect the best match searches.

Can I reffer a client to download from my portfolio or this is viewed by agencies as artificially inflating downloads?

What will set off the alerts is if (a) you don't have any downloads from other clients or (b) this client downloads only from you and in large numbers, especially if you then download from their portfolio in large numbers.

Otherwise, I'd echo the advice to license directly and cut out the agency

Quote from: ShadySue on August 31, 2018, 05:54

If you had found the clients yourself, why wouldn't you sell direct? If they didn't do any work in finding the buyers, why should your agency get the majority of the sale value?
There might be a couple of issues which might or might not apply in your case, but at least consider direct selling.

It's a small project and I do not want to set up a company at the moment. On the other hand, the client needs invoice for its records. This is the reason why I want to use the agency.

Ok, you must live in a different legislation which I assume you understand. Otherwise I can't see why:
1. You need to set up a company, and
2. Why you can't just write an invoice.
On the very few occasions I've had a direct sale outwith an agency, I write a 'for the purpose' RM licence, write a simple invoice and detail the sale in my tax return. It seems that in the UK you need to earn �1000 before you even need to inform the IR, but that's just recent.
Anyway, it's a shame your legislation can't let you do something this simple.