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Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: Roscoe on March 20, 2022, 02:34

Title: February statements are in
Post by: Roscoe on March 20, 2022, 02:34
Fairly good month at iStock. They are definitely performing way better than last year (at least for me).

What I did see: a lot of 1,2 cent (yes that's right, I triplechecked) sales from China.
Does anyone know what the deal is here?
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Just_to_inform_people2 on March 20, 2022, 03:17
Well, I was happy this month. Got a sale with a commission of $68 (sale was $453)  :)

No China sales but I only have a small portfolio.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Souf10 on March 20, 2022, 04:28
I had a great month
RPD : $0.59
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Wilm on March 20, 2022, 05:22
17% more downloads than in January brought me a revenue minus of 33.5%. Bad month there!
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Pacesetter on March 20, 2022, 05:37
Okay month though only one extra download this month compared to last month. Where RPD was $1.21 in January it was $1.26 in February. Overall the little graph attached shows it is on the up from previous years.   

Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: ShadySue on March 20, 2022, 06:29
Second worst month since August 2007. Shocking RPD of 84c. - not including Connect.

That said, a friend had his 2nd highest ME thanks to selling 6 files from a 12 years old series at super high prices.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: ShadySue on March 20, 2022, 07:09
What I did see: a lot of 1,2 cent (yes that's right, I triplechecked) sales from China.
Does anyone know what the deal is here?
These are (always?/usually?) through a Chinese 'partner' FotoPress.
Luckily for me, for some reason these Chinese buyers don't like my work, or my rpd would be even lower than it is now.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Zero Talent on March 20, 2022, 08:12
Good month here.
Second best February ever, better than the last 2 years, RPD $1.18 (excluding Connect)
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Souf10 on March 20, 2022, 08:14
Good month here.
Second best February ever, better than the last 2 years, RPD $1.18 (excluding Connect)

Could you please explain what you mean by Connect?
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: ShadySue on March 20, 2022, 08:21
Good month here.
Second best February ever, better than the last 2 years, RPD $1.18 (excluding Connect)

Could you please explain what you mean by Connect?
No, because I don't fully understand it.
It's some sort of pay-per-view deal iS has with some buyers.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Orchidpoet on March 20, 2022, 10:25
Yes, it is a very good month.

How do you check rpd?
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: ShadySue on March 20, 2022, 10:28
Yes, it is a very good month.

How do you check rpd?

Divide total amount for the month by the number of sales.
Or just look on TodayIs20!
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Orchidpoet on March 20, 2022, 10:34
Yes, it is a very good month.

How do you check rpd?

Divide total amount for the month by the number of sales.
Or just look on TodayIs20!

Thanks! Do I get the total dl from Feb 2022 download page?

If yes, my RPD is 3.46. Is it possible?
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: ShadySue on March 20, 2022, 11:15
Yes, it is a very good month.

How do you check rpd?

Divide total amount for the month by the number of sales.
Or just look on TodayIs20!

Thanks! Do I get the total dl from Jan 2022 download page?

If yes, my RPD is 3.32. Is it possible?

Yes, that's how I got mine.
I guess you're RPD could be $3.32. I'm only on 30%, so if you're on 35% or even 40%, your rpd would normally be better. Or you might have hit the jackpot and had one of more high value downloads. By far the easiest way to see that is via TodayIs20, but you could use their pdf or put their text files into a spreadsheet to see individual sales values.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Orchidpoet on March 20, 2022, 11:32
Yes, it is a very good month.

How do you check rpd?

Divide total amount for the month by the number of sales.
Or just look on TodayIs20!

Thanks! Do I get the total dl from Jan 2022 download page?

If yes, my RPD is 3.32. Is it possible?

Yes, that's how I got mine.
I guess you're RPD could be $3.32. I'm only on 30%, so if you're on 35% or even 40%, your rpd would normally be better. Or you might have hit the jackpot and had one of more high value downloads. By far the easiest way to see that is via TodayIs20, but you could use their pdf or put their text files into a spreadsheet to see individual sales values.

I think I should use Feb DLs, which gives RPD as 3.46. That includes three video DLs.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Orchidpoet on March 20, 2022, 11:33

Yes, it is a very good month.

How do you check rpd?

Divide total amount for the month by the number of sales.
Or just look on TodayIs20!

Thanks! Do I get the total dl from Jan 2022 download page?

If yes, my RPD is 3.32. Is it possible?

Yes, that's how I got mine.
I guess you're RPD could be $3.32. I'm only on 30%, so if you're on 35% or even 40%, your rpd would normally be better. Or you might have hit the jackpot and had one of more high value downloads. By far the easiest way to see that is via TodayIs20, but you could use their pdf or put their text files into a spreadsheet to see individual sales values.

I think I should use Feb DLs, which gives RPD as 3.46. That includes three video DLs. I am also on 30%.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Uncle Pete on March 20, 2022, 12:39
Good month here.
Second best February ever, better than the last 2 years, RPD $1.18 (excluding Connect)

Could you please explain what you mean by Connect?

Ha Ha, there's the trick question of the month or maybe the last decade? I've read some really intelligent answers here and I'm still not sure if I know what Connect sales actually are. Seems like some kind of catch-all term for partners, super subs, API, mystery contracts and something about "fees", plus continuing use.

RPD .51 with some good ones and some under 10 cents.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: zeljkok on March 20, 2022, 13:37
Average month for IS , with RPD ~0.47.   Could not be bothered to look at details, just get depressed looking at Connect "sales".   

Consistently now outperforming SS for several months though
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Roscoe on March 20, 2022, 16:20
These are (always?/usually?) through a Chinese 'partner' FotoPress.
Luckily for me, for some reason these Chinese buyers don't like my work, or my rpd would be even lower than it is now.

Thanks! Don't know about FotoPress. It's the first time I see so much sales from China, and at such a low commission.
I mean, I had sales from China before, and they (as far as I can remember) were always at very low commission rates, but in February, someone must have looked at my port and just bought a few dozen of images at 1,2 cents. Ugh!
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Roscoe on March 20, 2022, 16:27
Ha Ha, there's the trick question of the month or maybe the last decade? I've read some really intelligent answers here and I'm still not sure if I know what Connect sales actually are. Seems like some kind of catch-all term for partners, super subs, API, mystery contracts and something about "fees", plus continuing use.
Isn't it some weird pay per view kind-a-thing for blog posts or ads? Anyhow, I really don't care about connect sales.
It's like your boss telling you: hey nice work man, got a surprise for you. Here's ONE free cinema ticket. *shrugs schoulders*

But! April is coming up, and if I'm not mistaken, that's a big big month for Connect sales.  :o
I don't know what's the deal or how it works, but once in a year, in spring (April or was it May?) connect sales go through the roof and they pay you ... I don't know, some aggregated sales of last year?
So better call your bank and tell them to make sure all that money fits in the account you have.  8)
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Artist on March 20, 2022, 23:59
best month so far.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Firn on March 21, 2022, 01:39
I don't know whether this is concerning all connect sales, but I do know al least one specific use that was at some point explained by iStock: The images are used for AI training where an AI gets fed images for purposes like for example image search engines, so your image is only viewed by an AI and that's what you get these tiny sales for. As said, I don't know whether that's all connect sales, or whether there are other purposes as well.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Uncle Pete on March 21, 2022, 09:36
Ha Ha, there's the trick question of the month or maybe the last decade? I've read some really intelligent answers here and I'm still not sure if I know what Connect sales actually are. Seems like some kind of catch-all term for partners, super subs, API, mystery contracts and something about "fees", plus continuing use.
Isn't it some weird pay per view kind-a-thing for blog posts or ads? Anyhow, I really don't care about connect sales.
It's like your boss telling you: hey nice work man, got a surprise for you. Here's ONE free cinema ticket. *shrugs schoulders*

But! April is coming up, and if I'm not mistaken, that's a big big month for Connect sales.  :o
I don't know what's the deal or how it works, but once in a year, in spring (April or was it May?) connect sales go through the roof and they pay you ... I don't know, some aggregated sales of last year?
So better call your bank and tell them to make sure all that money fits in the account you have.  8)

I left that out and was off to the store and other things, but remembered too late. Right! There are some pay per view, fixed fee based on use and limited website use and... plus high volume contracts that get some special deal. I never heard about the AI training before. And then shared revenue from views.

https://contributors.gettyimages.com/HelpArticle.aspx?article_id=5176

The main part is, we are paid "down to five decimal places".

I think I'm getting over this and don't care so much anymore. I mean, more and more, there are all kinds of internal uses, only for house websites, limited use, and minor uses. We get fractions of a cent, which is terrible but there's nothing I can do, except close my account. Which seems to apply to a number of other places, in which case, I'd have no accounts.

Last month, my Connect =  61 for $0.20271 or in simple terms? 20 cents or RPD .00332 per use 3/10th of a cent
I think people with better and more images, are getting more than that.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: JustAnImage on March 21, 2022, 09:47
Last month, my Connect =  61 for $0.20271 or in simple terms? 20 cents or RPD .00332 per use 3/10th of a cent
I think people with better and more images, are getting more than that.
My "connect" numbers for that "pay per view" stuff in February 2022:
- Images: 30 views for $0.16, which is 0.53 cent per view
- Videos: 28 views for $2.77, which is 9.9 cent per view
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Uncle Pete on March 21, 2022, 09:49
Last month, my Connect =  61 for $0.20271 or in simple terms? 20 cents or RPD .00332 per use 3/10th of a cent
I think people with better and more images, are getting more than that.
My "connect" numbers for that "pay per view" stuff in February 2022:
- Images: 30 views for $0.16, which is 0.53 cent per view
- Videos: 28 views for $2.77, which is 9.9 cent per view

You have a better quality of viewer?  ;D
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: qunamax on March 21, 2022, 13:30
Really mediocre month for me, usually IS is my top, low number of downloads. Still better than SS regarding both downloads and returns but both way below AS in returns where every other sale is 0.99 or more.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on March 21, 2022, 19:14
Good month here.
Second best February ever, better than the last 2 years, RPD $1.18 (excluding Connect)

Could you please explain what you mean by Connect?
No, because I don't fully understand it.
It's some sort of pay-per-view deal iS has with some buyers.

This is a bit of a puff piece, but it outlines what Getty was hoping to do with Connect.

https://www.fastcompany.com/1817835/connect-getty-images-leaps-21st-century (https://www.fastcompany.com/1817835/connect-getty-images-leaps-21st-century)
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Unamas on March 22, 2022, 00:41
What I did see: a lot of 1,2 cent (yes that's right, I triplechecked) sales from China.
Does anyone know what the deal is here?

The same for me. What's going on?
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Roscoe on March 22, 2022, 03:18
What I did see: a lot of 1,2 cent (yes that's right, I triplechecked) sales from China.
Does anyone know what the deal is here?

The same for me. What's going on?

As ShadySue mentioned earlier in the thread:

Quote
These are (always?/usually?) through a Chinese 'partner' FotoPress.
Luckily for me, for some reason these Chinese buyers don't like my work, or my rpd would be even lower than it is now.

I can't really recall seeing so much nanosales from China in one month.
I got them in the past, but they were rather anecdotal.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Uncle Pete on March 22, 2022, 11:01
Good month here.
Second best February ever, better than the last 2 years, RPD $1.18 (excluding Connect)

Could you please explain what you mean by Connect?
No, because I don't fully understand it.
It's some sort of pay-per-view deal iS has with some buyers.

This is a bit of a puff piece, but it outlines what Getty was hoping to do with Connect.

https://www.fastcompany.com/1817835/connect-getty-images-leaps-21st-century (https://www.fastcompany.com/1817835/connect-getty-images-leaps-21st-century)

Thank You, interesting reading.

Today’s press release explains at length about Connect, pointing out how scalable it is, how comprehensive it is, and how it’ll let businesses improve products, streamline workflows, reduce storage costs, and “launch compelling new services.”

Wow there's one big string of double talk, corporate speak.
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: Jolleyreefs on March 31, 2022, 18:08
Newer to iStock/Getty.  Do downloads/sales end the 20th of each month too? I had 12 downloads in february but only 7 showed up on my royalty report.  Just curious if those downloads after the 20th get moved on to the March statement. Thanks!
Title: Re: February statements are in
Post by: ShadySue on April 01, 2022, 04:42
Newer to iStock/Getty.  Do downloads/sales end the 20th of each month too? I had 12 downloads in february but only 7 showed up on my royalty report.  Just curious if those downloads after the 20th get moved on to the March statement. Thanks!
I don't think so.
Are you exclusive with iStock?
If so, some of your files will probably be marked as 'plus'. Sales of these 'plussed' files count as two 'increments' on the sales counter, which helps you to reach your target.

If you're not exclusive, you'd have to email them to find out what has happened.