MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: rachell on October 18, 2006, 10:45

Title: 'Exclusive to iStock'
Post by: rachell on October 18, 2006, 10:45

I have heard (and seen while browsing) many contributers who are 'exclusive to iStock'.  Does iStock give preference to those who are exclusive in their Search Engine?  And with such a low upload limit, how can anyone be exclusive to just iStock?

Title: Re: 'Exclusive to iStock'
Post by: CJPhoto on October 18, 2006, 11:54

They do get various preferential treatment.  For a start you must have 500DL to go exclusive.  They then give additional % for each canister you acheive (ie. dl levels).

They get higher upload limits and there own que which gets cleared quicker.

I think the search use to given them preference to but I dont think enyone knows what the search engine is doing now!

They also get a additional promotion as I think the images on the home page are always exclusive.

Title: Re: 'Exclusive to iStock'
Post by: leaf on October 18, 2006, 15:11

i don't know how many people become exclusives now, and probably not THAT many full time people.  Most of the people who are exclusives and have tons of images at istock became exclusive long before the strict upload rules came about.  I imagine people who don't care to upload to a dozen sites might also find istock enticing.

Title: Re: 'Exclusive to iStock'
Post by: GWB on October 18, 2006, 15:57

I was under the impression that being exclusive did not help you in the search results.

Somebody on the IS forums (and I don't know if this is true), said that being in the creative networks would bump you up in the search results.  Apparently that no longer works, if it did before.

As CJPhoto said, nobody really knows what is going on in the search engine there.

Title: Re: 'Exclusive to iStock'
Post by: pixelbrat on October 18, 2006, 19:54

Quote from: GWB on October 18, 2006, 15:57

As CJPhoto said, nobody really knows what is going on in the search engine there.

And even if you think you have it figured out... wait a day and they'll change something again.  I just read a post by Bitter in one of the 600+ threads that they are changing the "Best Match" criteria again.  Sorry, didn't mean to hijack...  just bitter over this whole thing. (pardon the bitter pun)

Title: Re: 'Exclusive to iStock'
Post by: fotografer on October 21, 2006, 03:55

Quote

They also get a additional promotion as I think the images on the home page are always exclusive.

 Not true I have had a FIOTW and I'm not exclusive and some AOTW aren't exclusive.

Title: Re: 'Exclusive to iStock'
Post by: Freezingpictures on October 21, 2006, 07:33

I agree with fotografer, I too had a FIOTW and as far as I know I am not exclusive :)

Quote from: fotografer on October 21, 2006, 03:55

Quote

They also get a additional promotion as I think the images on the home page are always exclusive.

 Not true I have had a FIOTW and I'm not exclusive and some AOTW aren't exclusive.