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Author Topic: Best Match 2.0  (Read 38733 times)

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abimages

« Reply #125 on: February 01, 2009, 07:15 »
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I've not had a sale in over 24 hours.....when normally I would have almost 50 by now. I'm feeling fairly certain that my iStock career has suddenly tanked. I was doing so well, consistently up until the end of November, none of the best match shakes really affected me for over a year. now right before hitting gold, my sales have been steadily declining. it started around 30% decrease from one day to the next, and now not one sale in almost two days.

I find the announcement inadequate. it is like most of the announcements. sounds great, all the right words, but it doesn't really tell me anything new.

I am pretty upset about all of this, though I realize for many it is working out. I am not fooling myself that they care whether I remain exclusive or not. but if this continues for more than a month, I will be checking out some of the other sites. I don't want to depend on IS completely.

Wow! I didn't realise exclusives could be subject to such wild swings in the best match. I always thought they enjoyed a steady ride.


« Reply #126 on: February 01, 2009, 12:38 »
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Isn't it possible that you're misreading the termination clause? I think that what they're addressing is that they have the right to take 30 days to stop selling all the content if you leave the site altogether. IOW, that this clause isn't talking about a switch from exclusive to non?

If it's an issue for anyone, I'd suggest contacting contributor relations to see if this delete your exclusive uploads  interpretation is really correct.

Yes, I'll grant that it's possible I misread/misunderstood it, but I think either is extremely unlikely. And here's why:

If it was possible to turn exclusivity on and off in 90 day intervals without incurring a penalty, I'd jump aboard that ship in a second. When I wasn't exclusive I'd upload only to SS, FT, StockXpert, and 123. After 90 days I'd remove my images from those agencies, switch back to exclusive at IS, then upload my new images to them. After 90 days I'd cancel my IS exclusivity and repeat the process. This would give me the best of both worlds, allowing me to have similar/identical portfolios on all agencies, effectively nullifying the exclusive image advantage that IS enjoys.

But then again, maybe it is possible to do this, but nobody's tried it yet. If this is the case, you can bet that IS will shut that  door pretty quickly now that it's been mentioned on a public forum.
« Last Edit: February 01, 2009, 12:46 by sharply_done »

« Reply #127 on: February 01, 2009, 14:05 »
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Are the search results generated with BM2 these days or not?
« Last Edit: February 01, 2009, 14:06 by borg »

« Reply #128 on: February 01, 2009, 14:16 »
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Are the search results generated with BM2 these days or not?

The answer would be "no" at this point. They mention in the thread that they will be testing a beta version in house,  if all goes well will release shortly after.

If you open up a image on istock there is a tab that says "more like this" Its my understanding this running on best match 2.0 ,this will give you an idea of what the search is going to be like. I must say it looks quite impressive going from that. Everyone else will be playing catch-up

« Reply #129 on: February 01, 2009, 14:25 »
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Isn't it possible that you're misreading the termination clause? I think that what they're addressing is that they have the right to take 30 days to stop selling all the content if you leave the site altogether. IOW, that this clause isn't talking about a switch from exclusive to non?

If it's an issue for anyone, I'd suggest contacting contributor relations to see if this delete your exclusive uploads  interpretation is really correct.

Yes, I'll grant that it's possible I misread/misunderstood it, but I think either is extremely unlikely. And here's why:

If it was possible to turn exclusivity on and off in 90 day intervals without incurring a penalty, I'd jump aboard that ship in a second. When I wasn't exclusive I'd upload only to SS, FT, StockXpert, and 123. After 90 days I'd remove my images from those agencies, switch back to exclusive at IS, then upload my new images to them. After 90 days I'd cancel my IS exclusivity and repeat the process. This would give me the best of both worlds, allowing me to have similar/identical portfolios on all agencies, effectively nullifying the exclusive image advantage that IS enjoys.

But then again, maybe it is possible to do this, but nobody's tried it yet. If this is the case, you can bet that IS will shut that  door pretty quickly now that it's been mentioned on a public forum.


Wouldn't it take a long time to keep uploading and deleting to SS, FT, StockXpert, and 123?  I presume you would have to wait for reviews every time, so there would be lots of days when you were non-exclusive with istock and had hardly any photos on the other sites.  Doesn't seem worth trying to me.

« Reply #130 on: February 01, 2009, 14:29 »
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Another interesting thing about best match 2.0 is it might prove to be a usefull keywording tool. You can browse similar images and get an idea of the keywords most often used for downloading a particular file type. I'm not suggesting copying someone else's keywords  :) but you can at least make sure you have the 4 most popular "relevant" words.

« Reply #131 on: February 01, 2009, 14:30 »
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Are the search results generated with BM2 these days or not?

The answer would be "no" at this point. They mention in the thread that they will be testing a beta version in house,  if all goes well will release shortly after.

If you open up a image on istock there is a tab that says "more like this" Its my understanding this running on best match 2.0 ,this will give you an idea of what the search is going to be like. I must say it looks quite impressive going from that. Everyone else will be playing catch-up

Thanks Cdwheatley!!

« Reply #132 on: February 01, 2009, 14:33 »
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Isn't it possible that you're misreading the termination clause? I think that what they're addressing is that they have the right to take 30 days to stop selling all the content if you leave the site altogether. IOW, that this clause isn't talking about a switch from exclusive to non?

If it's an issue for anyone, I'd suggest contacting contributor relations to see if this delete your exclusive uploads  interpretation is really correct.

Yes, I'll grant that it's possible I misread/misunderstood it, but I think either is extremely unlikely. And here's why:

If it was possible to turn exclusivity on and off in 90 day intervals without incurring a penalty, I'd jump aboard that ship in a second. When I wasn't exclusive I'd upload only to SS, FT, StockXpert, and 123. After 90 days I'd remove my images from those agencies, switch back to exclusive at IS, then upload my new images to them. After 90 days I'd cancel my IS exclusivity and repeat the process. This would give me the best of both worlds, allowing me to have similar/identical portfolios on all agencies, effectively nullifying the exclusive image advantage that IS enjoys.

But then again, maybe it is possible to do this, but nobody's tried it yet. If this is the case, you can bet that IS will shut that  door pretty quickly now that it's been mentioned on a public forum.


Sharply, I think you are infact misreading the contract. You'll note that the same clause is found in the non-exclusive contract! The termination clause is meant for when you completely quit selling at iStock. It's unfortunate that they cut and pasted without thinking that people may misread the contract's intent, but hey you can't foresee what people are going to read into a contract.

There are plenty of people that have gone exclusive, then went non-exclusive and they didn't have their portfolios removed. Before flying off the the limb it is important to actually get the facts by contacting former exclusives.
« Last Edit: February 01, 2009, 19:14 by yingyang0 »

shank_ali

« Reply #133 on: February 01, 2009, 14:38 »
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Another interesting thing about best match 2.0 is it might prove to be a usefull keywording tool. You can browse similar images and get an idea of the keywords most often used for downloading a particular file type. I'm not suggesting copying someone else's keywords  :) but you can at least make sure you have the 4 most popular "relevant" words.
I copy keywords all the time..In fact i use the search engine facility like a buyer to hunt down a similiar photo to the one i am about to upload for inspection. Mid adult,one mid adult man,mid adult men,carrying on shoulders,vibrant color,real people,stereotypically working class.
The more you copy the more you learn.
So i copy other's peoples  keywords ...call the cops !

« Reply #134 on: February 01, 2009, 14:43 »
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Another interesting thing about best match 2.0 is it might prove to be a usefull keywording tool. You can browse similar images and get an idea of the keywords most often used for downloading a particular file type. I'm not suggesting copying someone else's keywords  :) but you can at least make sure you have the 4 most popular "relevant" words.
I copy keywords all the time..In fact i use the search engine facility like a buyer to hunt down a similiar photo to the one i am about to upload for inspection. Mid adult,one mid adult man,mid adult men,carrying on shoulders,vibrant color,real people,stereotypically working class.
The more you copy the more you learn.
So i copy other's peoples  keywords ...call the cops !

your in big trouble mister  :D

« Reply #135 on: February 01, 2009, 14:45 »
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But I am still a bit confused...

Can someone give  some " calendar"...

When best match 2.0 could affect on our sales so far, and when it will start again, at least roughly...!???

« Reply #136 on: February 01, 2009, 14:52 »
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probably by the middle of February. There is no exact date.

bittersweet

« Reply #137 on: February 01, 2009, 21:26 »
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But I am still a bit confused...

Can someone give  some " calendar"...

When best match 2.0 could affect on our sales so far, and when it will start again, at least roughly...!???



You might want to read the actual statement from an actual employee of istock, rather than trying to filter through a bunch of interpretations (some of which are not exactly accurate).

Here's the link to the latest official announcement (from Friday):
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=83392&page=1

Just a suggestion...



CofkoCof

« Reply #138 on: February 02, 2009, 03:32 »
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You might want to read the actual statement from an actual employee of istock, rather than trying to filter through a bunch of interpretations (some of which are not exactly accurate).

Here's the link to the latest official announcement (from Friday):
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=83392&page=1

Just a suggestion...

I already posted the announcement two times, even bolded the part on the timing of best match. Doesn't seem to help :D

« Reply #139 on: February 02, 2009, 03:50 »
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You should be aware that if you decide to drop your exclusivity with IS, all the images you uploaded as an exclusive will be removed. This is done so that people do not take advantage of the increased upload limits and then switch back to non-exclusive once their portfolio is 'large enough'. (Here's the contract - see Section 12.a.(i))


I am not sure if you are confusing what legally might be possible and what actually is being done. In my opinion, these terms are mainly in case you decide you want to remove your portfolio voluntarily from iStock - in this case iStock has the duty to remove your content within 30 days, so they are giving themselves at least some time to protect themselves from people asking to "immediately remove all images" and later on making claims why it took iStock a week to do so.

Contracts are always made to protect parties in the worst case but how you live a business relationship is usually a bit different as long as both parties respect the interest of the others.

« Reply #140 on: February 02, 2009, 09:22 »
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Excuse me if I'm boring,

I just wanted to ask is it work till now and when,that was all...!?

« Last Edit: February 02, 2009, 09:25 by borg »

« Reply #141 on: February 02, 2009, 17:19 »
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You should be aware that if you decide to drop your exclusivity with IS, all the images you uploaded as an exclusive will be removed. This is done so that people do not take advantage of the increased upload limits and then switch back to non-exclusive once their portfolio is 'large enough'. (Here's the contract - see Section 12.a.(i))


This interpretation is completely incorrect. Canceling exclusivity does not result in all your content being removed from the site. All that happens is that your content is "removed" from being considered exclusive after 30 days (i.e., removed from exclusive-only searches, promotions, royalties, etc). After 90 days you can apply again to become exclusive if you wish.

I would encourage anyone with questions/concerns about the Artist Supply Agreement to contact iStock Contributor Relations directly.

shank_ali

« Reply #142 on: February 02, 2009, 17:33 »
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You should be aware that if you decide to drop your exclusivity with IS, all the images you uploaded as an exclusive will be removed. This is done so that people do not take advantage of the increased upload limits and then switch back to non-exclusive once their portfolio is 'large enough'. (Here's the contract - see Section 12.a.(i))


This interpretation is completely incorrect. Canceling exclusivity does not result in all your content being removed from the site. All that happens is that your content is "removed" from being considered exclusive after 30 days (i.e., removed from exclusive-only searches, promotions, royalties, etc). After 90 days you can apply again to become exclusive if you wish.

I would encourage anyone with questions/concerns about the Artist Supply Agreement to contact iStock Contributor Relations directly.

Ty for post.
Once you have that crown at istockphoto i would imagine it to be a very difficult decision to give it up and contribute to other stock agencies.
I have no such decision to make as i am more than happy only uploading my work to istockphoto.

KB

« Reply #143 on: February 02, 2009, 17:52 »
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This interpretation is completely incorrect. Canceling exclusivity does not result in all your content being removed from the site. All that happens is that your content is "removed" from being considered exclusive after 30 days (i.e., removed from exclusive-only searches, promotions, royalties, etc).

That well may be what iStock does (and you would certainly know), however you can't blame anyone for "interpreting" the agreement in that way, since that's what it states:
(i) iStockphoto shall remove the applicable Accepted Exclusive Content from the Site within thirty (30) days of the termination of this Agreement;

If that isn't what iStock intended, then perhaps they need to change the contract. Because as it is written, they certainly have the legal right to remove all exclusive content, as stated.

« Reply #144 on: February 03, 2009, 02:03 »
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That was brave of you coming over to these forums knowing that Shank hangs out here  ;D
tation is completely incorrect. Canceling exclusivity does not result in all your content being removed from the site. All that happens is that your content is "removed" from being considered exclusive after 30 days (i.e., removed from exclusive-only searches, promotions, royalties, etc). After 90 days you can apply again to become exclusive if you wish.

I would encourage anyone with questions/concerns about the Artist Supply Agreement to contact iStock Contributor Relations directly.

shank_ali

« Reply #145 on: February 03, 2009, 02:11 »
0
This interpretation is completely incorrect. Canceling exclusivity does not result in all your content being removed from the site. All that happens is that your content is "removed" from being considered exclusive after 30 days (i.e., removed from exclusive-only searches, promotions, royalties, etc).

That well may be what iStock does (and you would certainly know), however you can't blame anyone for "interpreting" the agreement in that way, since that's what it states:
(i) iStockphoto shall remove the applicable Accepted Exclusive Content from the Site within thirty (30) days of the termination of this Agreement;

If that isn't what iStock intended, then perhaps they need to change the contract. Because as it is written, they certainly have the legal right to remove all exclusive content, as stated.
FYI KB a forum admin does not make policy descisions at istockphoto.I suspect there main job is to ensure all the children play nicely in the playground !  The saying "money for old rope " comes to mind....


 

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