Author Topic: iStockphoto search (Read 2658 times)

Jeffrey · « **on:** February 10, 2015, 20:33 »

I searched using keyword "3D" http://www.istockphoto.com/illustrations/3d#145697c4

About 20% of the results are not 3D. It's so frustrating even with other keywords.

ShadySue · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2015, 20:35 »

Yup. 'Twere ever thus, but it's become worse in the last couple of years.

Jeffrey · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2015, 20:38 »

It could one of the reasons why the site ranking and my sales are decreasing.

God, please help iStock with the search results.

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2015, 22:56 »

The search on IS is so bad that clients can't find anything. Can't buy something they can't find. This is good for your other sales.

ShadySue · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2015, 06:24 »

Quote from: Jeffrey on February 10, 2015, 20:38

God, please help iStock with the search results.

Even if the Almighty were to grace iS with his insights, they would ignore it, as they know better.

Semmick Photo · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2015, 07:04 »

Quote from: ShadySue on February 11, 2015, 06:24

Quote from: Jeffrey on February 10, 2015, 20:38
God, please help iStock with the search results.
Even if the Almighty were to grace iS with his insights, they would ignore it, as they know better.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2015, 09:51 »

Some people don't know this. I mean some people who are regular contributors and do good work and regular uploads.

IS does not search the Title or the Description. Only the keywords.

I'll add, if your words are not in CV they aren't searched. And if you put a phrase or name in, the buyers must type that exact phrase / or persons name "within quotes" or nothing is found.

Example I have a number of photos of Dario Franchitti. If a buyer searches for Dario Franchitti, the system says no results. Because it's a phrase and must be in quotes. Also if someone searches for one of the names, Dario for example, it also shows not matching results.

Lets hope the buyers know how to navigate the system, because it's darn difficult to find what you want on IS. Many covered subjects come back as no matching results.

As much as I love CV for being clear and organized, it's also a bit too restrictive and excludes too many matches.

But what gets me is, a rejection for "describe better what is actually in the photo" when they don't search the description!

Am I supposed to care if Google, Bing or Yahoo finds my images? Is there some value in having Google Images pop up my IS images for people to steal?

But not on the site where buyers are looking for them?

ShadySue · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2015, 12:58 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 11, 2015, 09:51

But what gets me is, a rejection for "describe better what is actually in the photo" when they don't search the description!

Isn't that an editorial rejection referring to the caption, not the description?
The caption is a guide for the buyer to be able to know exactly what's in the image, if it's important to them. Nothing to do with search.

tickstock · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2015, 13:08 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 11, 2015, 09:51

Example I have a number of photos of Dario Franchitti. If a buyer searches for Dario Franchitti, the system says no results. Because it's a phrase and must be in quotes. Also if someone searches for one of the names, Dario for example, it also shows not matching results.

Don't worry nobody is searching for Dario Franchitti so you aren't losing any sales but if you really feel it's worth your time to shoot, keyword, and upload this kind of content then you can request that the name be added.

ShadySue · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2015, 13:21 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 11, 2015, 09:51

Example I have a number of photos of Dario Franchitti. If a buyer searches for Dario Franchitti, the system says no results. Because it's a phrase and must be in quotes. Also if someone searches for one of the names, Dario for example, it also shows not matching results.
Lets hope the buyers know how to navigate the system, because it's darn difficult to find what you want on IS. Many covered subjects come back as no matching results.
As much as I love CV for being clear and organized, it's also a bit too restrictive and excludes too many matches.

The alternative is what happens on e.g. SS and others, whereby a search for "Blue Whale" in or out of quotes, throws up everything which has both blue (e.g. sea or sky) and whale as keywords, even if the contributor has not suggested their image is a 'blue whale'. Caveat emptor.

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Author Topic: iStockphoto search (Read 2658 times)

Jeffrey

ShadySue

Jeffrey

YadaYadaYada

ShadySue

Semmick Photo

Uncle Pete

ShadySue

tickstock

ShadySue

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