I know review times have increased a lot on all microctock agencies, but I am not getting any edtorial content reviewed on istock since the beginning of march. 2 months seems excessive. Anyone else having that problem or is it just me?

Correct, my editorial content is not reviewed either. Meanwhile more than 100 images stuck in queue.
Commercial content gets through, although it takes a while.

hm, good to know, I was planning to upload a batch of editorial.

perhaps something to do with the merger? editorial content was the issue holding it up.

Quote from: cobalt on May 06, 2026, 16:10
hm, good to know, I was planning to upload a batch of editorial.

perhaps something to do with the merger? editorial content was the issue holding it up.

Yes editorial is slow for editing right now, but good seller on IS

Quote from: cobalt on May 06, 2026, 16:10
hm, good to know, I was planning to upload a batch of editorial.

perhaps something to do with the merger? editorial content was the issue holding it up.

Well I don't know, but if so, I would expect Shutterstock holding their horses regarding editorial content. They have a different and more flexible policy than iStock/Getty, and as far as I understood, they want to align their databases in terms of consistency.

Having long queues in editorial content is an inconvenient one, as it's often event driven content where timing matters.

Yeah same here. I even had a whole batch that needed to be revised as the date descriptions were in the "wrong format (I'd put it numerically by mistake), even though only one of the photos had an issue That was in feb and they're still pending. Very frustrating!

Quote from: fotoroad on May 06, 2026, 19:50

Quote from: cobalt on May 06, 2026, 16:10
hm, good to know, I was planning to upload a batch of editorial.

perhaps something to do with the merger? editorial content was the issue holding it up.

Yes editorial is slow for editing right now, but good seller on IS

I have very old images, like Cologne Carnival from 2014 and they are still selling. Certainly regret not uploading more. Want to make a good effort with editorial, also with video.

Editorial is what ai cannot replace, so the value should even go up in time.

Has istock made any changes about political protests? I have a lot of editorial about marches for women's rights, against Trump pro peace marches.

Can this content be uploaded as editorial to istock, or do they only want local culture like xmas market, carnival or general daily life street scenes?

Quote from: cobalt on May 07, 2026, 10:06


Has istock made any changes about political protests? I have a lot of editorial about marches for women's rights, against Trump pro peace marches.

Can this content be uploaded as editorial to istock, or do they only want local culture like xmas market, carnival or general daily life street scenes?

As far as I know they have not made any changes and still do not accept such editorial content from us "normal" contributors. Everything that is considered "news"-worthy is only allowed for their "editorial contributors". Same for illustrative content that shows brands.
You can apply to become an "editorial contributor" with their "Getty Images News, Sport & Entertainment Contributor Submission Form" but they want a link to your work and work bio and I do not think they will accept anythng like a Shuttersock portfolio. Seems to me like they only will accept photographers who specilize on news for this.
https://www.gettyimages.de/workwithus/editorial

I have no idea why they make it that way, seems like a stupid way to limit their income.

Oh, then I hope they at least take carnival or christmas shopping, it is pretty timeless.

Quote from: cobalt on May 07, 2026, 10:37
Oh, then I hope they at least take carnival or christmas shopping, it is pretty timeless.

I have a few photos of christmas markets that they accepted, but they only accepted like 20% of them, so I have no clue what the criteria is here. Getting editorial content approved there has always been hard for me. The only thing that seems safe seems to be buildings/landmarks.

Quote from: Her Ugliness on May 07, 2026, 10:18

Quote from: cobalt on May 07, 2026, 10:06


Has istock made any changes about political protests? I have a lot of editorial about marches for women's rights, against Trump pro peace marches.

Can this content be uploaded as editorial to istock, or do they only want local culture like xmas market, carnival or general daily life street scenes?

As far as I know they have not made any changes and still do not accept such editorial content from us "normal" contributors. Everything that is considered "news"-worthy is only allowed for their "editorial contributors". Same for illustrative content that shows brands.
You can apply to become an "editorial contributor" with their "Getty Images News, Sport & Entertainment Contributor Submission Form" but they want a link to your work and work bio and I do not think they will accept anythng like a Shuttersock portfolio. Seems to me like they only will accept photographers who specilize on news for this.
https://www.gettyimages.de/workwithus/editorial

I have no idea why they make it that way, seems like a stupid way to limit their income.

English Version:  https://engage.gettyimages.com/editorial_form

After around two months, one of my editorial batches was finally processed. It is still reviewed, but it takes eternity.

I am beginning to wonder if the time delay is intentional?

I read that istock does not want any content that could be "news". So if creators know it will always take 8 weeks before the content is reviewed, they are less likeley to upload newsworthy content.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-conditionally-clears-getty-merger-with-shutterstock

so perhaps this is the reason. if shutterstock editorial gets sold, the perhaps istock will change what they accept. perhaps they will then accept more.

Quote from: cobalt on May 16, 2026, 11:15
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-conditionally-clears-getty-merger-with-shutterstock

so perhaps this is the reason. if shutterstock editorial gets sold, the perhaps istock will change what they accept. perhaps they will then accept more.

Hello Cobalt, based on this decision, do you think Shutterstock will sell its editorial business? Is that a good thing?

Quote from: danielvisuals on May 16, 2026, 11:55

Quote from: cobalt on May 16, 2026, 11:15
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-conditionally-clears-getty-merger-with-shutterstock

so perhaps this is the reason. if shutterstock editorial gets sold, the perhaps istock will change what they accept. perhaps they will then accept more.

Hello Cobalt, based on this decision, do you think Shutterstock will sell its editorial business? Is that a good thing?

I think having more agencies to upload to and to have competition is a good thing for creators yes. Also for buyers.

Otherwise we would be down to basically just Adobe and Getty, with the merged company having a huge dominance in the editorial market. There are loads of small agencies of course, but after the merger the majority of content will be divided between adobe and getty.

Adobe does not seem interested in doing real editorial or  news. So I doubt they will take over this content and these brands.

The question is...who will be the buyer?

And how long will this take? Sounds like the merger might be something that happens next year.

Quote from: mino216 on May 11, 2026, 13:28
After around two months, one of my editorial batches was finally processed. It is still reviewed, but it takes eternity.

Mine are still waiting, almost 3 months now without review.... 

After being in queue for, well the oldest ones more than two months, mine are reviewed and accepted now.

They do. not have people to review, its the same with Envato

Quote from: mino216 on May 11, 2026, 13:28
After around two months, one of my editorial batches was finally processed. It is still reviewed, but it takes eternity.