Do they mean anything at all?

100 = $500

(you could have just used the search function)

Quote from: Sadstock on February 13, 2013, 10:16

Leaf, to be sure I'm understand the meaning of the exclusive number (currently 222.1), it is still in a score of 100 = $500 a month? 

This means that the score 222.1 = 500 x 2.221 = $1,110.50 reported average income for an exclusive Istocker?

If so then the reported combined non-exclusive total (all the poll results with a number total excluding the exclusive Istock number) is 259.4 which = 500 x 2.594 = $1,297 reported average income for an independent?

correct.

It is a very broad average though.  The top limit of $2500 probably limits a lot of people, both on Shutterstock and for iStock exclusives (perhaps Fotolia as well for some).  Right now it looks like independents are earning a bit more, but in terms of how accurate the poll results are, they are essentially identical.  The poll is just meant to give a rough guide as to how the agencies stack up against each other.  The yearly microstock survey will give a better idea of how exclusive/non-exclusive compare.

There's a limit as well as a base value. It's not precise numbers, but intended to give a general idea of the relative return from the sites. Unscientific poll because people answer when they want. Usually I don't bother. I don't shoot video, Pond5 would be a $0 and bring it down. The top three are right in line with what I make from them.

I don't shoot the same as you or the next person, my results will not be the same as yours. It's just a poll to show relative numbers, not what anyone should expect. I can only imagine someone new looking and thinking of all the money they can make, when these are only what top people, who choose to take the poll, might make. There's no verification that anyone is telling the truth. 

Way to make it work better would be, in order to post on the agency section, for example, people would need to take the poll each month. And then forced against our will to take the poll, how reliable would those numbers be? But at least it would be a broader selection, not just people who want to brag how much they made or point out how little. The poll could have fake votes to make them look better and hate votes from people who didn't like a place.

It's just for fun, don't take it to serious.