MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: Freedom on November 20, 2010, 14:51

Title: Does Istock still pay referral fee?
Post by: Freedom on November 20, 2010, 14:51
I referred someone to Istock recently, who was accepted as a contributor a few days ago.

But I haven't heard anything from Istock, nor have I got the $25 fee.

Is the referral program still working?
Title: Re: Does Istock still pay referral fee?
Post by: ShadySue on November 20, 2010, 14:56
I referred someone to Istock recently, who was accepted as a contributor a few days ago.
But I haven't heard anything from Istock, nor have I got the $25 fee.
Is the referral program still working?
Not for introducing contributors: there are plenty of these already. That has not been working since I joined four years ago.
There is a $10 fee for introducing a new buyer, not via your Moo card, if exclusive.
Title: Re: Does Istock still pay referral fee?
Post by: Freedom on November 20, 2010, 16:49
Thanks for the reply. I didn't know that.
Title: Re: Does Istock still pay referral fee?
Post by: ShadySue on November 20, 2010, 18:56
http://www.istockphoto.com/user_badges.php (http://www.istockphoto.com/user_badges.php)
Title: Re: Does Istock still pay referral fee?
Post by: helix7 on November 22, 2010, 11:33

Not sure why anyone would be actively referring people to istock these days. I'd rather refer buyers to places that pay a fair royalty rate.
Title: Re: Does Istock still pay referral fee?
Post by: microstockinsider on June 07, 2011, 19:20
istock are also operating a referral program on linkconnector (Presumably because it's the same network getty use), details are at http://www.linkconnector.com/pdf/iStock_Promotional_Guide.pdf (http://www.linkconnector.com/pdf/iStock_Promotional_Guide.pdf)
(buyers only or course)

whats interesting is 7% of credit purchases for existing customers (and the coupon codes) presumably existing buyers who intend to keep buying just buy credits at istock; so is this partly trying to claw back the price conscious buyers who have already left via an affiliate marketing campaign?
Title: Re: Does Istock still pay referral fee?
Post by: Gannet77 on June 08, 2011, 06:06
I referred someone to Istock recently, who was accepted as a contributor a few days ago.
But I haven't heard anything from Istock, nor have I got the $25 fee.
Is the referral program still working?
Not for introducing contributors: there are plenty of these already. That has not been working since I joined four years ago.
There is a $10 fee for introducing a new buyer, not via your Moo card, if exclusive.

I don't think you have to be exclusive to join the referral program, via referral links - though you do have to be exclusive to get free MOO cards.

As far as I know, it does still operate, though referrals seem to be a lot fewer and further between than they used to be.  I had a few at the beginning of the year but none for the last couple of months.
Title: Re: Does Istock still pay referral fee?
Post by: PaulieWalnuts on June 08, 2011, 06:28
I think the referral link system was broken with the change in the URL structure from the new search.

I used to get a referral commission once every month or two. I can't remember the last time I've had one. Not sure if this is a coincidence.

And I would guess that any site problem that pays out more money is probably at the absolute bottom of the priority list.
Title: Re: Does Istock still pay referral fee?
Post by: ShadySue on June 08, 2011, 08:44
I think the referral link system was broken with the change in the URL structure from the new search.
I used to get a referral commission once every month or two. I can't remember the last time I've had one. Not sure if this is a coincidence.
And I would guess that any site problem that pays out more money is probably at the absolute bottom of the priority list.
Yup, I had a few from my personal website (people I'd never heard of but presumably followed a referral link) then a few presumably from sxc-hu or somesuch, and none now for ages. You're right: it's probably an 'unsustainable' programme.
Title: Re: Does Istock still pay referral fee?
Post by: ShadySue on June 08, 2011, 08:50
I referred someone to Istock recently, who was accepted as a contributor a few days ago.
But I haven't heard anything from Istock, nor have I got the $25 fee.
Is the referral program still working?

Not for introducing contributors: there are plenty of these already. That has not been working since I joined four years ago.
There is a $10 fee for introducing a new buyer, not via your Moo card, if exclusive.

I don't think you have to be exclusive to join the referral program, via referral links - though you do have to be exclusive to get free MOO cards.

Right on both counts.
You don't get a referral fee on the Moo cards because the user gets ten free credits: if they can work out how to get them!
(Easiest way: www.istockphoto.com/friend (http://www.istockphoto.com/friend) then type in the code on the card. I have no idea how anyone was supposed to guess that, and assume it was deliberate like the gag about the plans in H2G2.
http://www.planetclaire.org/quotes/hitchhikers (http://www.planetclaire.org/quotes/hitchhikers)
Title: Re: Does Istock still pay referral fee?
Post by: BaldricksTrousers on June 08, 2011, 08:56
I had one a couple of months back. I'm not actively recruiting but maybe it was via a link on a photo from a blog.