Author Topic: another swing... (Read 8879 times)

yecatsdoherty · « **on:** February 22, 2009, 21:43 »

disclaimer. this is hearsay, third party info. I think exclusives can expect another slump in sales.

Lisa, I'm glad for you. but for we exclusives, stock up on booze. let's hope the swing does not happen as predicted, to anyone for that matter.

borg · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2009, 04:42 »

I heard that new "best match swing" will favor only buyers...
Customers will find what they are looking for based on better keyword search engine...

Higher earnings should be the only advantage for exclusives...
And of course, for all of us, how are you good at photography...

That would be the greatest justice for IS,contributors and customers!

Without insults please!

P.S.

If the quality is on the first place, then IS would get more money from non-exclusives...

That is also true!

leaf · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2009, 04:58 »

yeah, isn't the new best match search algorithm supposed to take affect this week? The one that is based on keywords and is 'similar' to Alamy's search. Kelly discussed it a little at UGCX, and said that it was based on individual keywords. So if for word 'pancake' your image is seen and purchased, it will become stronger for that keyword. If your image also has the keyword blueberry in it, but never gets viewed or purchased for that keyword - it will fall for that word.

Gannet77 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2009, 05:06 »

Where did you hear that it was going to take effect this week?

They announced they were trialling it a few weeks back and would release it shortly if all worked out OK, but since then nothing - so I'm guessing they're still ironing out the bugs...

leaf · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2009, 07:18 »

Quote from: Gannet77 on February 23, 2009, 05:06

Where did you hear that it was going to take effect this week?

They announced they were trialling it a few weeks back and would release it shortly if all worked out OK, but since then nothing - so I'm guessing they're still ironing out the bugs...

I heard it at UGCX.. I didn't bother remembering the date, but I thought they said something to do with about 2 weeks (which was 2 weeks ago)

phildate · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2009, 07:24 »

I'll be surprised if there is a swing towards non-exclusives but if there is, then I will take it after two years of having sales drop away. This month has been great though and would be happy for things to stay the way they are for a while.

Gannet77 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2009, 08:20 »

Quote from: leaf on February 23, 2009, 07:18

Quote from: Gannet77 on February 23, 2009, 05:06
Where did you hear that it was going to take effect this week?

They announced they were trialling it a few weeks back and would release it shortly if all worked out OK, but since then nothing - so I'm guessing they're still ironing out the bugs...

I heard it at UGCX.. I didn't bother remembering the date, but I thought they said something to do with about 2 weeks (which was 2 weeks ago)

Oh wow! Now I am looking forward to it!

yecatsdoherty · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2009, 11:55 »

like I said, it is just more best match gossip, but from so much of what I have been reading, it has me worried. not a big feat, granted ;-)

I wonder if this is a good place to ask a question that I was shut down asking in an IS thread. so, assuming the keyword relevancy thing will be implemented according to Kelly's descriptions etc., I don't see how this can work on iStock?

search engines like google have a short and measurable 'term to click' process. you type in 'cat' in google and click on a link returned, and boom....google knows that link worked.

however, buyers don't always, or even usually, purchase a file immediately upon viewing it (I know sometimes they do). how will they track keyword relevancy to a file that is found, placed in a lightbox, or comped and then purchased later?

the answer I received is that the same disadvantage will be applied to everyone so why does it matter. but it DOES matter because why weight relevancy if it is not always being measured accurately?

yecatsdoherty · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2009, 12:49 »

swing as in non-exclusives seem to have moved up even more in searches. not 2.0 implementation, about which I know nothing.

lisafx · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2009, 13:07 »

Quote from: yecatsdoherty on February 22, 2009, 21:43

disclaimer. this is hearsay, third party info. I think exclusives can expect another slump in sales.

Lisa, I'm glad for you. but for we exclusives, stock up on booze. let's hope the swing does not happen as predicted, to anyone for that matter.

Me Lisa? If so, I am curious - what have you heard? I'm in the dark on this one.

Hope there is not major calamity on the horizon. Everybody has had a nervous couple of months waiting for the BM2.

yecatsdoherty · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2009, 13:15 »

yes, Lisa you, lol....in fact you are the only Lisa I know :-) I should have been more clear. my speculation has nothing to do with BM2.0.....but someone who is knowledgable and keeping an eye on trends spoke to me about noticing a change over the weekend pushing non-exclusive images further ahead.

for what is was worth, I just wanted to share the info., but only as hearsay. so it could be nothing or something. but any information lately is welcome.

lisafx · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2009, 13:21 »

Ahh, gotcha. Rumors are as good as anything we have right now, since there is not official word.

FWIW my sales today on IS are running about what they have been the last few weeks. No surge that I've noticed... Will keep my fingers crossed though

Not wishing any further drop to those who have been suffering BTW...

Karimala · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2009, 16:09 »

Man oh man...sure hope best match 2.0 is better than best match 1.0. I'm just now finally getting back to the earnings numbers I had two years ago when they made the first big change. It would be nice to see something implemented that helps non-exclusives a little more, especially considering that we are the ones who pay IS 80% on every sale.

perkmeup · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2009, 16:14 »

Ya.......my DL's are back up to what they were 8 months ago....I might even get a BME this month

I just hope they keep the best match like this for a little while to make up for the last 5 months when DL's plummeted

I thought that best match 2.0 was already implemented??? it's not???

If not...I sure hope they don't change it too much...

gostwyck · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2009, 16:31 »

Quote from: Karimala on February 23, 2009, 16:09

It would be nice to see something implemented that helps non-exclusives a little more, especially considering that we are the ones who pay IS 80% on every sale.

Personally I don't see any significant or obvious advantage/disadvantage to either exclusives or independent contributors with the current best match. In my view it is simply favouring good-selling images, irrespective of age.

My port on IS, sorted by best match, now looks remarkably similar to my port on SS, sorted by Most Popular, in that so many of the same images are represented within the top-placed 50 or 60. I'm well on target for a BME on IS too so I'm very happy with how it is. IS are projected to be about 39% of total earnings this month which will be the second highest they've achieved in the last two years.

borg · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2009, 16:35 »

Quote from: perkmeup on February 23, 2009, 16:14

Ya.......my DL's are back up to what they were 8 months ago....I might even get a BME this month I just hope they keep the best match like this for a little while to make up for the last 5 months when DL's plummeted

I thought that best match 2.0 was already implemented??? it's not???

If not...I sure hope they don't change it too much...

Not yet I think...

But in January I had explosion in one of weeks...
I hope that was week of BM2 testing!!!

perkmeup · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2009, 16:41 »

Quote

In my view it is simply favouring good-selling images, irrespective of age.

How true this is....and I have to agree...right now it seems like it's just the best images that are coming up.....not like before. The buyers must be happy

they are actually getting some pretty good pictures on the first few pages

..........and we (non exclusives) are getting a fair chance at selling a photo.

lisafx · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2009, 17:08 »

Quote from: gostwyck on February 23, 2009, 16:31

Personally I don't see any significant or obvious advantage/disadvantage to either exclusives or independent contributors with the current best match. In my view it is simply favouring good-selling images, irrespective of age.

I suspect you may be onto something here. The last couple of best match incarnations were so heavily biased against independents that simply leveling the playing field could have caused big drops in exclusive sales.

shank_ali · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2009, 02:20 »

Quote from: lisafx on February 23, 2009, 17:08

Quote from: gostwyck on February 23, 2009, 16:31

Personally I don't see any significant or obvious advantage/disadvantage to either exclusives or independent contributors with the current best match. In my view it is simply favouring good-selling images, irrespective of age.

I suspect you may be onto something here. The last couple of best match incarnations were so heavily biased against independents that simply leveling the playing field could have caused big drops in exclusive sales.

Correct.We had a good run ....Now we must keep building our portfolio's and polishing our crowns waiting for a favourable swing in the best match once again.

perkmeup · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2009, 03:57 »

Quote

Quote from: shank_ali on February 24, 2009, 02:20
Quote from: lisafx on February 23, 2009, 17:08
Quote from: gostwyck on February 23, 2009, 16:31

Personally I don't see any significant or obvious advantage/disadvantage to either exclusives or independent contributors with the current best match. In my view it is simply favouring good-selling images, irrespective of age.

I suspect you may be onto something here. The last couple of best match incarnations were so heavily biased against independents that simply leveling the playing field could have caused big drops in exclusive sales.
Correct.We had a good run ....Now we must keep building our portfolio's and polishing our crowns waiting for a favourable swing in the best match once again.

But.....in reality it should be the buyers that dictate how the best match works.........if they can't find the photos they want, they will go somewhere else. Maybe IStock is feeling pressure from them to make the best match do exactly that.....find the best photo for a given search....not the best "exclusive photo".

Neustock Media · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2009, 10:12 »

But.....in reality it should be the buyers that dictate how the best match works.........if they can't find the photos they want, they will go somewhere else. Maybe IStock is feeling pressure from them to make the best match do exactly that.....find the best photo for a given search....not the best "exclusive photo".
[/quote]

But the best exclusive photo is the best photo! Isn't it?

NS

yecatsdoherty · « **Reply #21 on:** February 24, 2009, 11:22 »

I'm fine with the best photo winning, theoretically. I just don't believe they have a system goood enough to figure that out. I don't have any issues regarding exclusivity/non-exclusivity in best match. but data mining while the search is live is nuts. holy angst batman. my old files are still having a party while my new files sit back getting fat and lazy.

loop · « **Reply #22 on:** February 24, 2009, 12:34 »

Quote from: perkmeup on February 24, 2009, 03:57

Quote
Quote from: shank_ali on February 24, 2009, 02:20
Quote from: lisafx on February 23, 2009, 17:08
Quote from: gostwyck on February 23, 2009, 16:31

Personally I don't see any significant or obvious advantage/disadvantage to either exclusives or independent contributors with the current best match. In my view it is simply favouring good-selling images, irrespective of age.

I suspect you may be onto something here. The last couple of best match incarnations were so heavily biased against independents that simply leveling the playing field could have caused big drops in exclusive sales.
Correct.We had a good run ....Now we must keep building our portfolio's and polishing our crowns waiting for a favourable swing in the best match once again.

But.....in reality it should be the buyers that dictate how the best match works.........if they can't find the photos they want, they will go somewhere else. Maybe IStock is feeling pressure from them to make the best match do exactly that.....find the best photo for a given search....not the best "exclusive photo".

In many ways it is, because is the only photo that the wandering customer haven't yet seen looking at other sites and that so, it tells him (the customer) that at IS he will find pics he won't find elsewhere repeated at many sites.

Graffoto · « **Reply #23 on:** February 25, 2009, 13:44 »

I know that 2.0 is not yet implemented or at least FULLY implemented, but I am at the moment happy with whatever algorithm is in place.

Feb. is a MBE for me and my last four downloads were all files that have never sold before and are all at least seven months old.
It does not bother me that newer files are currently getting the short end of the stick. I think this is just the final tweak before the real best match kicks in.

I am an exclusive... so lets see if this supposed new swing completely kills me next month $:-\$

PS: I agree with the previous posts that it is really the buyers that should be dictating how best match works. Without buyers we are nothing (painfully obvious, eh?)

loop · « **Reply #24 on:** February 26, 2009, 20:12 »

Quote from: nosaya on February 25, 2009, 13:44

I know that 2.0 is not yet implemented or at least FULLY implemented, but I am at the moment happy with whatever algorithm is in place.

Feb. is a MBE for me and my last four downloads were all files that have never sold before and are all at least seven months old.
It does not bother me that newer files are currently getting the short end of the stick. I think this is just the final tweak before the real best match kicks in.

I am an exclusive... so lets see if this supposed new swing completely kills me next month $:-\$

PS: I agree with the previous posts that it is really the buyers that should be dictating how best match works. Without buyers we are nothing (painfully obvious, eh?)

I don't. Istockphoto, which is more expensive than other sites, needs to show to the customer the difference of having what others --as a group-- don't.

fotografer · « **Reply #25 on:** February 27, 2009, 01:50 »

I don't agree with you at all, the buyers should get to see the best whether it's exclusive content or not
If the buyers want to see the exclusive content all they have to do is click a button.

Quote from: loop on February 26, 2009, 20:12

I don't. Istockphoto, which is more expensive than other sites, needs to show to the customer the difference of having what others --as a group-- don't.

null · « **Reply #26 on:** February 27, 2009, 03:20 »

Quote from: fotografer on February 27, 2009, 01:50

If the buyers want to see the exclusive content all they have to do is click a button.

The eject button?

yecatsdoherty · « **Reply #27 on:** February 27, 2009, 21:18 »

^ lol

Graffoto · « **Reply #28 on:** March 04, 2009, 22:32 »

So, is best match 2.0 in full swing yet or no?
Does anyone have the answer?

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #29 on:** March 04, 2009, 22:39 »

Graffoto · « **Reply #30 on:** March 04, 2009, 23:09 »

Quote from: sjlocke on March 04, 2009, 22:39

No.

No its not or no you don't know??

Just kidding Sean, I was just over on the IS forum and see that best match 2.0 is being delayed

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Author Topic: another swing... (Read 8879 times)

yecatsdoherty

borg

leaf

Gannet77

leaf

phildate

Gannet77

yecatsdoherty

yecatsdoherty

lisafx

yecatsdoherty

lisafx

Karimala

perkmeup

gostwyck

borg

perkmeup

lisafx

shank_ali

perkmeup

Neustock Media

yecatsdoherty

loop

Graffoto

loop

fotografer

null

yecatsdoherty

Graffoto

Sean Locke Photography

Graffoto

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