MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: franckreporter on June 23, 2011, 15:06
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following the announce right now : http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=331068 (http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=331068)
JOYZE:We’re releasing a new search filter today that will allow clients to sort results by price. By default search results will contain files from every price range. To narrow results, you can select preferred price ranges by adjusting the “Price Range” section on the left-hand side of the page in the search facet area.
The lowest price level (one dot) represents files requiring fewer credits to download, while the highest price level (four dots) represents files requiring a higher number of credits to download (our premium collection). This “Price Range” filter is a slider that lets the client either select a specific price level or set a range of price levels that they’d like to search within.
This has been a long time request from our contributor and client base. The price filter will make it easier for clients to find the files they’re looking for within their budgets.
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Great news for everyone, imo.
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This sounds great. Hopefully it'll go in without a problem... I mean, without many problems 8)
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yess...I hope that all those who have left will come back soon, now need a good advertising campaign!
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I just looked, I'm not seeing it yet. Or did I miss it? Maybe they meant tomorrow, Friday, after 5...isn't that typically when new "features" get added?
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Woo yay!! ;D
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good move, glad to see it is finally implemented...wonder how it will affect Vetta and Agency sales...maybe it won't at all...after all buyers who need to search by price aren't the demographic for V/A anyways....
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Yes! could be very effective.
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I just looked, I'm not seeing it yet. Or did I miss it? Maybe they meant tomorrow, Friday, after 5...isn't that typically when new "features" get added?
I'm guessing Joyze used 'are' releasing as in 're going to be'. As in "I am going to X tomorrow". She didn't say, "we have released".
Great so long as it works, and more options than most expected.
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So is this one of those things that is coming "soon"?
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I just looked, I'm not seeing it yet. Or did I miss it? Maybe they meant tomorrow, Friday, after 5...isn't that typically when new "features" get added?
I'm guessing Joyze used 'are' releasing as in 're going to be'. As in "I am going to X tomorrow". She didn't say, "we have released".
Great so long as it works, and more options than most expected.
maybe later today
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That's a positive move. Glad they listened.
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Excellent! A price slider is much better than a simple "Vetta off" filter.
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Hooray! This is great news. Buyers have been begging for this so long, I can hardly believe it is actually happening. :)
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Excellent! A price slider is much better than a simple "Vetta off" filter.
absolutely. I think this is the best way they could have implemented this feature. impressed this feature is being released so quickly.
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A price slider between one dot and four dots sound like something they are trying to hide as much as possible. Clearly, the idea is that the ordinary punter will never find it but those who start complaining about price can be pointed in its direction.
I take the semi-cave-in on this to be an indication that the current strategy of promoting high-priced stuff has backfired badly. Big corporations never react quickly to anything that runs counter to established policies, things have to get pretty bad before they admit to making a mistake.
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Hooray! This is great news. Buyers have been begging for this so long, I can hardly believe it is actually happening. :)
We still haven´t seen it work ;-)
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Sounds like an improvement. Sad to see that it looks like it is still ranges. It would be nice to search for an exact credit price.
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Sounds like an improvement. Sad to see that it looks like it is still ranges. It would be nice to search for an exact credit price.
why? I think this is exactly opposite of what we would want...and I'd doubt that most buyers would search for precise credit prices....I think a range is a much safer way of searching.
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Sounds like an improvement. Sad to see that it looks like it is still ranges. It would be nice to search for an exact credit price.
why? I think this is exactly opposite of what we would want...and I'd doubt that most buyers would search for precise credit prices....I think a range is a much safer way of searching.
If someone has just 10 credits left, they may only want results that they can afford to purchase. I do think that that could easily be too confusing however, given the different prices in sizes and all.
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That's at last a good news from istock! ::)
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LOL time to take away photo+ pics! ;D
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default ranges:
1 dot includes exclusive & indie files, main collection and P+ files
2 dots includes e+
3 dots Vetta
4 dots Agency
best match is mixed results as per usual, and the ranges can be adjusted to include more price options
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Seems to work pretty well so far. I only tried a couple of searches.
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Looks really good!
It also appears to default to one dot, which will probably please buyers.
Scratch that. It's just that the best match is not so vetta and agency heavy, so it looked similar to the one dot setting.
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If someone has just 10 credits left, they may only want results that they can afford to purchase. I do think that that could easily be too confusing however, given the different prices in sizes and all.
That was exactly my situation. I had 10 credits that were about to expire, but I couldn't get results for 10 credits. Just 10-12 credit files. It was frustrating. I ended up letting them expire, so nobody made any money off of them except IS. As an infrequent buyer, I don't think I'd buy from anywhere with credits again. I'd rather just pay for what I need.
Edit: I was searching for vectors if that helps clarify it.
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it does look good, why so long if buyers were asking for it for a long time? seem like PNG stuff :P
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Works pretty well.
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I was searching for vectors if that helps clarify it.
Speaking of vectors, what happened to the size searches? Did they take those out?
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High-fives are going around now but some people will do better, some worse.
It'll be interesting to see who this affects and how.
Be careful of what you ask for... ;)
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High-fives are going around now but some people will do better, some worse.
It'll be interesting to see who this affects and how.
Be careful of what you ask for... ;)
you know stuff and I am being serious
one thing I can tell you last month went over 100$ for the first time there but this month I am on 30$.. could it be worst? they can change whatever they want ;D
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High-fives are going around now but some people will do better, some worse.
It'll be interesting to see who this affects and how.
Be careful of what you ask for... ;)
I think it was the buyers asking for it. I don't see how there could be a down side to this from a buyer perspective.
But of course, for us contributors, it is always a crazy roller coaster ride.
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So it seems that 4 dots is agency, 3 dots is vetta, 2 dots is Exclusive+ and 1 dot is independents, Photos+ and regular exclusive.
I'm glad to see they've (belatedly) done something, but as they don't price in dots, having an interface in dots is very confusing, IMO.
I can't see that there's much of a need to separate Vetta and Agency - having half the places for the expensive stuff smells like a sop for those who didn't want any search by price/credits/collection at all. The dollar bin isn't included in the settings, which is a shame IMO.
Getty has search by collections, so I'm not sure why they felt the need to go invent this new construct (one to four dots) instead of using collections or ranges of credits.
No worries about P+ being excluded as it's right in there with the one dot pricing.
Big problem is that it resets for every single search - it should at a bare minimum stay that way until you log out. Best is it's a preference.
I'd give this a gentleman's C
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So it seems that 4 dots is agency, 3 dots is vetta, 2 dots is Exclusive+ and 1 dot is independents, Photos+ and regular exclusive.
I'm glad to see they've (belatedly) done something, but as they don't price in dots, having an interface in dots is very confusing, IMO.
I can't see that there's much of a need to separate Vetta and Agency - having half the places for the expensive stuff smells like a sop for those who didn't want any search by price/credits/collection at all. The dollar bin isn't included in the settings, which is a shame IMO.
Getty has search by collections, so I'm not sure why they felt the need to go invent this new construct (one to four dots) instead of using collections or ranges of credits.
No worries about P+ being excluded as it's right in there with the one dot pricing.
Big problem is that it resets for every single search - it should at a bare minimum stay that way until you log out. Best is it's a preference.
I'd give this a gentleman's C
Yeah, I wondered that myself. I think if they do it this way, it gives them wiggle room to fudge around with it whenever it's not working to their benefit.
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http://www.istockphoto.com/browse/dollarbin/ (http://www.istockphoto.com/browse/dollarbin/)
nothing?
I never had much attention on this dollar bin, both for exclusives and independents right? IS picks those files? they stopped?
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Wow. My hour old blog post is the top google result for 'istockphoto pricing filter'. I don't know how they do that so fast!
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Woow yay indeed !!
I wonder if and how this will affect sales...
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[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/browse/dollarbin/[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/browse/dollarbin/[/url])
nothing?
I never had much attention on this dollar bin, both for exclusives and independents right? IS picks those files? they stopped?
Every now and then, the put old non-selling files in there.
For a while, they tried a system whereby exclusives (only) could nominate files to go there directly, but for some reason they stopped it.
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The reset is an excellent feature IMO. I'd be very concerned if the price filter selection defaulted to anything other than best match
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[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/browse/dollarbin/[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/browse/dollarbin/[/url])
nothing?
I never had much attention on this dollar bin, both for exclusives and independents right? IS picks those files? they stopped?
Every now and then, the put old non-selling files in there.
For a while, they tried a system whereby exclusives (only) could nominate files to go there directly, but for some reason they stopped it.
kind of you, thanks :)
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The reset is an excellent feature IMO. I'd be very concerned if the price filter selection defaulted to anything other than best match
I think it's the notion that you have to keep resetting over and over to what you want if you're doing multiple searches to try and find something - or a set of pictures. And if you just don't have the budget for Vetta/Agency and need, let's say, 4 images, you can't just make the setting stick.
I could live with a reset every 24 hours, or on logout, or .... anything other than every single search. It's really maddening to have to keep dragging that slider down two notches.
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The reset is an excellent feature IMO. I'd be very concerned if the price filter selection defaulted to anything other than best match
I think it's the notion that you have to keep resetting over and over to what you want if you're doing multiple searches to try and find something - or a set of pictures. And if you just don't have the budget for Vetta/Agency and need, let's say, 4 images, you can't just make the setting stick.
I could live with a reset every 24 hours, or on logout, or .... anything other than every single search. It's really maddening to have to keep dragging that slider down two notches.
It's the way the system works. If you are searching e.g. photos only and then do a new search, you have to rechoose 'photos only' for your new search.
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@ShadySue. There is a persistent setting for file type - the UI sucks, but it is there. If you choose Photos or Illustrations or whatever from the list on the right of the top search box, the setting is saved
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@ShadySue. There is a persistent setting for file type - the UI sucks, but it is there. If you choose Photos or Illustrations or whatever from the list on the right of the top search box, the setting is saved
Ah, thanks!
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Wow! I never fully realized how confusing their pricing is. I think I hurt my brain playing around with the slider trying to figure it out. ;D
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it's about time.
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Is this April 1st?
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great news - long overdue.
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Had they done this a year ago they probably could have saved a lot of buyers from leaving. Way overdue but at least it's finally here.
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Its long overdue, thats for sure. Im still a bit sceptical, we have all these things, sliders, rolle-down lists and now pricing, etc.
Personally speaking I think the whole thing, the entire best match, alogarithm, everything needs revamping, start all over, fresh. Yes a brand new search-engine where the main criteria for the buyers benefit should be, speed, relevance and quality ( showing half a page with files thats been there for months and with zero or a few dls only, does not proof quality nor speed, Vettas, agency, P+, E+, or whatever is irrelevant)
Ogilvys, famous shoe-shop example: dont flaunt last years models in the shop-window! they are already second-hand.
I also think the inspection for Vetta/agency files should be a lot more strignent especially since they are going to be right up front (irrespective of pricing sliders).
Lots of photographers have just nominated their own favorites and the inspectors have turned a blind eye, consequently we have a whole heap of just generic stuff and on premiere pages.
I sincerely hope this pricing-slider will fill a function but my fears are it wont be used or its yet another technicality for buyers.
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Wow. My hour old blog post is the top google result for 'istockphoto pricing filter'. I don't know how they do that so fast!
Wow... how fascinating, gotta be proud of that considering all the competition for the search term 'istockphoto pricing filter'...LOL
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For my own sake if for no other I wish this feature well, but I have doubts.
- It doesn't reduce complexity of operating a search at iStock and I doubt it's enough to attract those who have left for other, simpler sites.
- If you move the slider up from the minimum, more vectors appear. If you're looking for photos as most buyers are, this gives the impression of spoiling the search and reducing the incentive to see E+ files.
- moving the slider up and then looking at the results, it can be difficult to discern what's included in the results that wasn't there before.
A simple tickbox to toggle display of Vetta/Agency would have been simpler and wouldn't have jeopardised E+ sales and potentially vector sales.
With the slider, people will now be asking for display tiers per collection, to make better sense of the results. In other words, the slider has to evolve into a search-by-collection. And I'm not looking forward to that.
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Unfortunately, I prefer to keep extremely skeptical regarding any news from IS. So no commemorations from me at this point.
I wouldn't be surprised to see them cut commissions based on the new search option, for example. They are still the same untrustworthy and exploitive agency as they've always been.
And don't forget, that even if they allow to exclude the most expensive results from the search results, they still manipulate them to fit their own greedy agenda. So, I don't see this as a great improvement if they end-up pushing non-exclusives even further down the best match results.
For example, I have one of the most downloaded (and best) images in a certain popular search, but it's not to be seen in the best match results in the first tenths of pages. The price slider is useless for these cases. And people here seem to be forgetting that it's these "tweaks" that have been screw*ng their income, together with the "Redeemed Credits" story, just because a slider suddenly popped-up...
Again, I'll wait until the end of the year to commemorate.
:-\
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I think you're assuming that excluding Vetta and agency is the only thing buyers would want to do - I'm sure some would also use it the other way - to search only Vetta, Agency and E+.
For my own sake if for no other I wish this feature well, but I have doubts.
- It doesn't reduce complexity of operating a search at iStock and I doubt it's enough to attract those who have left for other, simpler sites.
- If you move the slider up from the minimum, more vectors appear. If you're looking for photos as most buyers are, this gives the impression of spoiling the search and reducing the incentive to see E+ files.
- moving the slider up and then looking at the results, it can be difficult to discern what's included in the results that wasn't there before.
A simple tickbox to toggle display of Vetta/Agency would have been simpler and wouldn't have jeopardised E+ sales and potentially vector sales.
With the slider, people will now be asking for display tiers per collection, to make better sense of the results. In other words, the slider has to evolve into a search-by-collection. And I'm not looking forward to that.
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I think a slider has the advantage that they can create as many collections as they want and the slider stays the same. Otherwise you need many tickboxes, or have to add/remove them whenever there are changes.
I didn't realize you can move the bottom slider as well. This will be very useul for the buyer who wants to look at the more exclusive material.
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I didn't realize you can move the bottom slider as well. This will be very useul for the buyer who wants to look at the more exclusive material.
Unfortunately, that means that exclusive files can be filtered out - something we were promised (by JJRD) would 'never' happen. But what is an iStock promise worth? :'(
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???
Exclusive files are in every search at every price point...
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I think you're assuming that excluding Vetta and agency is the only thing buyers would want to do - I'm sure some would also use it the other way - to search only Vetta, Agency and E+.
I think the price conscious buyers that will use the slider will want to find the cheapest files they can use, and fast. Those who are in the market for V&A have no motive to use the slider at all.
It's fairly obvious the slider is too fine grained and deprecates E+.
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???
Exclusive files are in every search at every price point...
You're fast day J!
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???
Exclusive files are in every search at every price point...
Yes, but that's semantics. I'd expect when JJRD (IIRC) promised that exclusive files wouldn't be filtered out, most people would have 'assumed' that mean 'no exclusive files would be filtered out'. Essentially, by moving the slider up a notch, a buyer won't see over 90% of my 'exclusive' files.
I guess that's what comes of making a wide promise: people read into it what wasn't intended.
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Well the "exclusive illustrations, videos, editorial" etc...can already be filtered out and nobody complained. I think giving the buyer best options for his search is in everyones interest.
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Listen to all this!!!! :D, top slider can be moved, now the bottom slider can be moved, filtering out this and filtering out that, here, there, everywhere!!
blimey, who in their wildest dreams would think the average buyer have got the time or will ever bother to find out.
If they didnt use the rolldown list, then what.
Your not supposed to be a civil-engineer to just do a simple search.
Members like ourselves, oh yeah, will will know, we got time to sit there and play with ourselves, I just doubt buyers are all that interested?
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blimey, who in their wildest dreams would think the average buyer have got the time or will ever bother to find out.
You seem to have as little respect for buyers as you do for your fellow contributors.
I guess they'll be able to learn how to use it very easily, if they want to. If they don't care, they won't use it. That simple.
Yesterday I was researching two possible trips I'll be making.
Guess what? I was on several different sites, but have bookmarks only the two that gave me the most filtering options. Otherwise I was just having to look through far too many irrelevant results (too vague/wide).
And totally offthread and offtopic, one of the two offered an option I've often wished for. Want to get away next week and don't care where? I've wished for this for years. Type in from one to three nearest airports and your dates and it tells you what's available. How good is that? Most sites only let you input one 'from' airport, and I'm equidistant from two, so that immediately halves my searching time, and I don't have to guess possible destinations and do many searches to see if there 'happens' to be last minute possibilities for each destination in turn.
Give the buyers as many options as possible, so long as it works.
Those who don't need the options don't have to use them; those who want them will be very grateful.
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blimey, who in their wildest dreams would think the average buyer have got the time or will ever bother to find out.
You seem to have as little respect for buyers as you do for your fellow contributors.
I guess they'll be able to learn how to use it very easily, if they want to. If they don't care, they won't use it. That simple.
Yesterday I was researching two possible trips I'll be making.
Guess what? I was on several different sites, but have bookmarks only the two that gave me the most filtering options. Otherwise I was just having to look through far too many irrelevant results (too vague/wide).
And totally offthread and offtopic, one of the two offered an option I've often wished for. Want to get away next week and don't care where? I've wished for this for years. Type in from one to three nearest airports and your dates and it tells you what's available. How good is that? Most sites only let you input one 'from' airport, and I'm equidistant from two, so that immediately halves my searching time, and I don't have to guess possible destinations and do many searches to see if there 'happens' to be last minute possibilities for each destination in turn.
Give the buyers as many options as possible, so long as it works.
Those who don't need the options don't have to use them; those who want them will be very grateful.
Well Sue, and you seem to classify them as morons, having nothing else to do but learning differant techniques of how to find a picture. I can tell you have never been to a busy design-service or agency, because then you know that speed is of the essence, not learning how to find but simply to find it and quickly.
As I said, if it works great! Im all for it. Heck, anything is better then before, just that I cant figure out how this will benefit us contributors when the same shots are taking up exactly the same places, unless all buyers have got plenty of time, etc.
How many do you think bothered with the rolldown-list of "downloads, age, best match, ? I know plenty of buyers and not one of them ever used it, many didnt even know it was there.
Ofcourse! since you only shoot for one agency, no doubt you have all the answers? give me a break will ya.
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Ofcourse! since you only shoot for one agency, no doubt you have all the answers? give me a break will ya.
Don't speak of that which you are ignorant.
I've remembered why I had you on ignore. Please feel free to reciprocate.
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Ofcourse! since you only shoot for one agency, no doubt you have all the answers? give me a break will ya.
Don't speak of that which you are ignorant.
I've remembered why I had you on ignore. Please feel free to reciprocate.
Yeah well do me a favour, PLEASE! put me on ignore again and FASTER then your head will spinn. Go somewhere else with your schneidy remarks as if YOU would care for your fellow contributors. ;D feel free to reciprocate ;D
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I think you're assuming that excluding Vetta and agency is the only thing buyers would want to do - I'm sure some would also use it the other way - to search only Vetta, Agency and E+.
For my own sake if for no other I wish this feature well, but I have doubts.
- It doesn't reduce complexity of operating a search at iStock and I doubt it's enough to attract those who have left for other, simpler sites.
- If you move the slider up from the minimum, more vectors appear. If you're looking for photos as most buyers are, this gives the impression of spoiling the search and reducing the incentive to see E+ files.
- moving the slider up and then looking at the results, it can be difficult to discern what's included in the results that wasn't there before.
A simple tickbox to toggle display of Vetta/Agency would have been simpler and wouldn't have jeopardised E+ sales and potentially vector sales.
With the slider, people will now be asking for display tiers per collection, to make better sense of the results. In other words, the slider has to evolve into a search-by-collection. And I'm not looking forward to that.
Hi Holgs! how goes?
Youre right actually, ofcourse people will search for Vettas and E+. Honestly the Vettas and E+, doesnt bother me the slightest, its the normal perks of the exclusives, they are taking a risk putting their eggs in one basket and yes! they should get rewarded for it. Why not.
I myself was given to select around 500 files for P+ and yes, they are selling well.
I think whats beginning to emerge is that inspectors have been too frivolous, too easy going in accepting Vetta nominations, could be from neewbies, beginners or whatever, nominating a whole bunch of their own favorites, you know. It reflects in many, many searches, very generic, middle of the road files as Vettas. This is no good. Ofcourse on the other scale are plenty of brillant Vettas!
I mean, some here, exclusivly bound to IS, ( not you) but they are reacting with total euforia as if its the greatest thing since sliced bread, forgetting that all the millions of files are still in their old slot.
Then comes a little slider? which is supposed to change all that.
well............... all the best.
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Well, it already seems to be broken. I moved the slider down to the first dot and what is on the first page? All Vetta and Agency. Way to go iStock! :D
EDIT: It seems you have to click the dot rather than move the slider. Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of using a slider?
And people are talking about a bottom slider? What bottom slider?
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Seems good. Including the fact that P+ are included in dot 1.
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Well, it already seems to be broken. I moved the slider down to the first dot and what is on the first page? All Vetta and Agency. Way to go iStock! :D
EDIT: It seems you have to click the dot rather than move the slider. Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of using a slider?
And people are talking about a bottom slider? What bottom slider?
Cas! your slider/dots are wonky, mine is working fine. Try the dots.
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Its long overdue, thats for sure. Im still a bit sceptical, we have all these things, sliders, rolle-down lists and now pricing, etc.
Personally speaking I think the whole thing, the entire best match, alogarithm, everything needs revamping, start all over, fresh. Yes a brand new search-engine where the main criteria for the buyers benefit should be, speed, relevance and quality ( showing half a page with files thats been there for months and with zero or a few dls only, does not proof quality nor speed, Vettas, agency, P+, E+, or whatever is irrelevant)
Ogilvys, famous shoe-shop example: dont flaunt last years models in the shop-window! they are already second-hand.
I also think the inspection for Vetta/agency files should be a lot more strignent especially since they are going to be right up front (irrespective of pricing sliders).
Lots of photographers have just nominated their own favorites and the inspectors have turned a blind eye, consequently we have a whole heap of just generic stuff and on premiere pages.
I sincerely hope this pricing-slider will fill a function but my fears are it wont be used or its yet another technicality for buyers.
wait, what? I didn't see any vetta/agency staying on the top page when I searched at the lower price ranges. did i miss a post somewhere? (I tend to skim, so maybe I read over/past something?)
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Its long overdue, thats for sure. Im still a bit sceptical, we have all these things, sliders, rolle-down lists and now pricing, etc.
Personally speaking I think the whole thing, the entire best match, alogarithm, everything needs revamping, start all over, fresh. Yes a brand new search-engine where the main criteria for the buyers benefit should be, speed, relevance and quality ( showing half a page with files thats been there for months and with zero or a few dls only, does not proof quality nor speed, Vettas, agency, P+, E+, or whatever is irrelevant)
Ogilvys, famous shoe-shop example: dont flaunt last years models in the shop-window! they are already second-hand.
I also think the inspection for Vetta/agency files should be a lot more strignent especially since they are going to be right up front (irrespective of pricing sliders).
Lots of photographers have just nominated their own favorites and the inspectors have turned a blind eye, consequently we have a whole heap of just generic stuff and on premiere pages.
I sincerely hope this pricing-slider will fill a function but my fears are it wont be used or its yet another technicality for buyers.
wait, what? I didn't see any vetta/agency staying on the top page when I searched at the lower price ranges. did i miss a post somewhere? (I tend to skim, so maybe I read over/past something?)
Nope. youre misreading it, before the price-slide came into action. Now its working fine.
I was refering to the earlier inspection of Vettas. Shouldnt just let anything pass only because someone nominates it.
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I totally didn't realize that the bottom slider could move up. i wonder how many buyers will miss that?
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I totally didn't realize that the bottom slider could move up. i wonder how many buyers will miss that?
I think buyers that are worried about price will learn how to use it. and the rest may barely notice it, and will use best match results. there are so many 'drill down' options in the search now, this is just one additional sort method.
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I totally didn't realize that the bottom slider could move up. i wonder how many buyers will miss that?
I missed it at first too. Again, why not just list collections with a check box so a buyer can just search different collections? Doesn't that sound easy? Why does everything added to their site require a big long list of instructions on how to use. ::)
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I totally didn't realize that the bottom slider could move up. i wonder how many buyers will miss that?
I missed it at first too. Again, why not just list collections with a check box so a buyer can just search different collections? Doesn't that sound easy? Why does everything added to their site require a big long list of instructions on how to use. ::)
it's really not that difficult. ;)
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I think Vetta/Agency sales will now fall with this much needed pricing tool developed by Istock for the price conscious buyers.
I suppose being exclusive you would wish it could attract new buyers but i'm pretty certain a few designers just packed up and moved there business to another microstock agant along time ago and will never return !
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I totally didn't realize that the bottom slider could move up. i wonder how many buyers will miss that?
I missed it at first too. Again, why not just list collections with a check box so a buyer can just search different collections? Doesn't that sound easy? Why does everything added to their site require a big long list of instructions on how to use. ::)
it's really not that difficult. ;)
that is true but it's not that intuitive. I'm sure buyers will figure it out, but would have been nice if they would have just followed the KISS policy. (Keep It Simple Stupid)
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it's really not that difficult. ;)
True. It's the pricing that is complicated not the slider. ;D
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A slider? With dots? Why dots?
And once again IStock complicates things unnecessarily. Or perhaps, in this case at least, they want it this way. Confusing.
Why not simple price ranges, like everybody else?
Not even selecting by collections would do it. What about new buyers, (designers or not), for whom buttons like 'Exclude Agency', 'Exclude Vetta' don't mean a thing?
Price ranges are the best solution, simple, easy to follow and suit everyone.
But of course, they won't do it.
Which is fine by me.
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it's really not that difficult. ;)
True. It's the pricing that is complicated not the slider. ;D
Really... if you cant figure out one dot and four dots with the word prices on top, you lack some brain cells.
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Leaf!! You dont MOVE the SLIDER! you click on the dots!
Anyway, I dont get this. How is it supposed to increase anything when the same 15 million pics are in exactly the same slots? complaining buyers can now move past the more expensive stuff and buy cheap, is that it? is that what this is all about? cause in that case I tend to agree with Shanks, I doubt buyers will come back.
Well, only time will tell I suppose.
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Leaf!! You dont MOVE the SLIDER! you click on the dots!
No because if I want images priced between 1 dot and 3 dots, I can't click on the dots, I have to move the slides, no?
Yeah, this is simple, for sure! ;)
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Leaf!! You dont MOVE the SLIDER! you click on the dots!
No because if I want images priced between 1 dot and 3 dots, I can't click on the dots, I have to move the slides, no?
Yeah, this is simple, for sure! ;)
No, click on the actual dots and the two sliders will move at the same time, infront of the dots, you cant stop in between the dots. Pugh!! I said you have to be a civil-engineer and then shadysue, came and gave me a bollocking.
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I think this is a good example of why contributors have now been excluded from any decision making process.
I'm pretty sure even the most novice of buyers can figure out what it does.
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Why not simple price ranges, like everybody else?
Not even selecting by collections would do it. What about new buyers, (designers or not), for whom buttons like 'Exclude Agency', 'Exclude Vetta' don't mean a thing?
When a file is available from 2 credits to 50 credits, do you show it when someone wants two credit files, or do you not, because the largest option is 50? With multiple pricings per file, I don't think a X credits to Y credits works.
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I think it's very well done and much much better than Veer. I'm not sure if it's a good thing for photographers but for buyers it is a great tool!
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I think it's very well done and much much better than Veer. I'm not sure if it's a good thing for photographers but for buyers it is a great tool!
The filter itself is not too bad, but the fact that it resets with every search is complete fail.
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I totally didn't realize that the bottom slider could move up. i wonder how many buyers will miss that?
I must be an odd bird. I found the bottom slider and was moving it up, but didn't realize there was a top slider that moved down... Is it a left brain right brain thing? ;)
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I totally didn't realize that the bottom slider could move up. i wonder how many buyers will miss that?
I must be an odd bird. I found the bottom slider and was moving it up, but didn't realize there was a top slider that moved down... Is it a left brain right brain thing? ;)
It's a "too much money, not enough sense" thing. (only joking, truly!)
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I think this is a good example of why contributors have now been excluded from any decision making process.
I'm pretty sure even the most novice of buyers can figure out what it does.
Sure, most everyone can figure out what it does after doinking around for awhile. But I'm pretty sure contributors would have listed the collections by name, with a check box in front. If I, as a buyer, wanted to search non-exclusive only, I check that box. Voila! If I work for a high end agency and I only want to see Vetta and Agency, I check those two boxes and voila!
I think we all know why dots are being used.
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I totally didn't realize that the bottom slider could move up. i wonder how many buyers will miss that?
I must be an odd bird. I found the bottom slider and was moving it up, but didn't realize there was a top slider that moved down... Is it a left brain right brain thing? ;)
It's a "too much money, not enough sense" thing. (only joking, truly!)
LOL! Sounds right to me - I can never have enough money ;D
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The new pricing filter will be sent out to the buyers and i'm always a little surprised that so many buyers do not post a comment in the istock forums.
It would be refreshing change to read some postative feedback from the people who actually spend there money at Istock rather than some disgruntled contributor claiming there sales have dryed up for whatever reason....
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I totally didn't realize that the bottom slider could move up. i wonder how many buyers will miss that?
I must be an odd bird. I found the bottom slider and was moving it up, but didn't realize there was a top slider that moved down... Is it a left brain right brain thing? ;)
then call me an odd bird, too. I did the exact same thing!
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The new pricing filter will be sent out to the buyers and i'm always a little surprised that so many buyers do not post a comment in the istock forums.
It would be refreshing change to read some postative feedback from the people who actually spend there money at Istock rather than some disgruntled contributor claiming there sales have dryed up for whatever reason....
I think most buyers are there to buy and get on with their work. Not to socialize like us contributors :)
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I think this is a good example of why contributors have now been excluded from any decision making process.
I'm pretty sure even the most novice of buyers can figure out what it does.
Sure, most everyone can figure out what it does after doinking around for awhile. But I'm pretty sure contributors would have listed the collections by name, with a check box in front. If I, as a buyer, wanted to search non-exclusive only, I check that box. Voila! If I work for a high end agency and I only want to see Vetta and Agency, I check those two boxes and voila!
I think we all know why dots are being used.
actually, I think by price is better than by collection. I think all buyers understand price, but not many understand collections. So to that I think it is a good thing.
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The new pricing filter will be sent out to the buyers and i'm always a little surprised that so many buyers do not post a comment in the istock forums.
It would be refreshing change to read some postative feedback from the people who actually spend there money at Istock rather than some disgruntled contributor claiming there sales have dryed up for whatever reason....
Not sure if you're talking about me, but you only come around here when you are thrown off the IS forums (can't imagine why). So if you are talking about me, you don't know that I actually used to spend money there, as well as try to make money there. And I know exactly why my sales have dried up...I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that I pulled all my images except for five because of all the shenanigans and lies. And I'm sure your next comment will be "if I don't even contribute there anymore, why do I even post about it?", to which I will reply like I have many times before, because I can and will continue to do so. ;)
But my opinion will never be considered positive feedback, just like so many other buyers and contributors who constantly got ripped a new one on the IS forum. Once a person contributes, I guess it cancels out any knowledge that that person may have had as a buyer. ::)
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I think this is a good example of why contributors have now been excluded from any decision making process.
I'm pretty sure even the most novice of buyers can figure out what it does.
Sure, most everyone can figure out what it does after doinking around for awhile. But I'm pretty sure contributors would have listed the collections by name, with a check box in front. If I, as a buyer, wanted to search non-exclusive only, I check that box. Voila! If I work for a high end agency and I only want to see Vetta and Agency, I check those two boxes and voila!
I think we all know why dots are being used.
actually, I think by price is better than by collection. I think all buyers understand price, but not many understand collections. So to that I think it is a good thing.
Good point. I was only considering from my point of view, having both contributed and bought. I know what collections mean what, so by name, to me, makes sense. As often as istock promoted Vetta/Agency, I guess I just presumed that most buyers would also know the collections. :)
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I think this is a good example of why contributors have now been excluded from any decision making process.
I'm pretty sure even the most novice of buyers can figure out what it does.
Sure, most everyone can figure out what it does after doinking around for awhile. But I'm pretty sure contributors would have listed the collections by name, with a check box in front. If I, as a buyer, wanted to search non-exclusive only, I check that box. Voila! If I work for a high end agency and I only want to see Vetta and Agency, I check those two boxes and voila!
I think we all know why dots are being used.
actually, I think by price is better than by collection. I think all buyers understand price, but not many understand collections. So to that I think it is a good thing.
Actually, I think istock may have gotten this right this time. They're using generic units so they don't need to make a complicated mess with addressing different currency symbols or having to reprogram the feature every time they add a collection.
It's simple and so far it works. I think when it says "price" it doesn't take a genius to know 4 dots means higher price.
But, they absolutely should send out an email blast to every buyer about this and how it works. Maybe some will even come back.
Oddly, I've had way higher than average E+ sales today along with an extended license.
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Is there a full breakdown of what is in each dot somewhere on the site? I was trying to figure out where each of the 5 illustration categories/sizes fit into the 4 dots. I'm assuming Basic and Moderate are on dot one, Detailed and Complex are on dot two, and Elaborate is on dot three. It definitely makes for some large price ranges on each dot.
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Not sure where the thought that exclusive + files will fair better with this new price filter .Most of those exclusive files have duplicates in the library at regular prices !
Is this a better system than just giving the buyers the option to omit Vetta/Agency files appearing in there search results.I don't think so as those buyers would probably keep the box checked forever which is certainly not what Istock would like to happen.I'm sure they hope the majority of buyers dont even use this new feature !
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It'll be interesting to see how sales change, if at all. I know that since the day they turned it on my sales DL's are 50% compared to the last couple of months. So I've gone from 20 a day pre-best match tweak, to 12 after and now 4-6 each day over the last three days. Not enough data I know but just sayin. Give it a month then we'll start a DL discussion :-\
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You dont MOVE the SLIDER! you click on the dots!
Okay, I finally figured it out. You can click on the dots OR you have to move the top slider down to see the cheaper stuff (or bottom slider up if you want to just see the more expensive stuff). That is not at all clear, IMO.
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Buyers! how will they PERCEIVE, this new incredible DOT system? from Plebs to Aristocracy?
1 dot.................................. plebian files, cheapo rubbish that can be found in a jumble sale.
2 dot.................................. slightly better, at least shot with average equipment. Still amateurs though
3 dot...................................at least this is shot by semi-pros.
4 dot...................................AHHH!! this is where the worlds top-pros hang out!! splendid!
well folks! it does look like a hierarchy ladder, we know it isnt but in looking at any ladder it doesnt go downhill unless youve been at the top, it sure goes uphill.
I think I prefer collections-symbols before the dots.
Have a nice weekend.
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It depends on the buyers - but you're right this is more about how buyers perceve value than actual value. There are a certain percentage of buyers who will buy something because its expensive and because someone else tells them its good without any appreciation of real value. That applies to all markets - food, clothes, cars, cameras, etc.
I'm sure most buyers don't really get the difference between what collections mean (Agency... something to do with the CIA??, Vetta - are those Italian files??), but basic price points are much simpler.
Buyers! how will they PERCEIVE, this new incredible DOT system? from Plebs to Aristocracy?
1 dot.................................. plebian files, cheapo rubbish that can be found in a jumble sale.
2 dot.................................. slightly better, at least shot with average equipment. Still amateurs though
3 dot...................................at least this is shot by semi-pros.
4 dot...................................AHHH!! this is where the worlds top-pros hang out!! splendid!
well folks! it does look like a hierarchy ladder, we know it isnt but in looking at any ladder it doesnt go downhill unless youve been at the top, it sure goes uphill.
I think I prefer collections-symbols before the dots.
Have a nice weekend.
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It depends on the buyers - but you're right this is more about how buyers perceve value than actual value. There are a certain percentage of buyers who will buy something because its expensive and because someone else tells them its good without any appreciation of real value. That applies to all markets - food, clothes, cars, cameras, etc.
I'm sure most buyers don't really get the difference between what collections mean (Agency... something to do with the CIA??, Vetta - are those Italian files??), but basic price points are much simpler.
Buyers! how will they PERCEIVE, this new incredible DOT system? from Plebs to Aristocracy?
1 dot.................................. plebian files, cheapo rubbish that can be found in a jumble sale.
2 dot.................................. slightly better, at least shot with average equipment. Still amateurs though
3 dot...................................at least this is shot by semi-pros.
4 dot...................................AHHH!! this is where the worlds top-pros hang out!! splendid!
well folks! it does look like a hierarchy ladder, we know it isnt but in looking at any ladder it doesnt go downhill unless youve been at the top, it sure goes uphill.
I think I prefer collections-symbols before the dots.
Have a nice weekend.
Hi!
Just afraid it sends the wrong vibes, thats all, apparantly Im not alone in my thinking, its become an issue in the IS-forum as well! at the moment it really looks like dot 1, is the cheapo leftovers, doesnt it, especially since the message is: cheaper files.
However, on the other scale it must puzzle buyers when they see that the pics on dot-4, are no better! then 1 and 2. which raise the question, why are they more expensive?
Its fine balance, isnt it?
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Four dots good, two dots better!
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"m not alone in my thinking, its become an issue in the IS-forum as well! at the moment it really looks like dot 1, is the cheapo leftovers, doesnt it, especially since the message is: cheaper files."
The customers have eyes to see, don´t they?
I mean, they click on the dots and immediatly get the results.
I really don´t think you can fool them to believe that the cheaper file is "amateur work" if it clearly isn´t.
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Nobody has questioned why the company has had to introduce such a measure?.
Ok so it's obvious but it's about 1 year too late IMO.They kept pushing new collections (Vetta/Agency/Exclusive + ) onto buyers with increased prices to match and there competitors have basically kept the same collection and with basic inflation rises.
I hope this new price filter has stopped the demise of Istockphoto for obvious reasons.....
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Nobody has questioned why the company has had to introduce such a measure?.
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Because it's been discussed on here for months.
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Well the good thing is that photos of the lower price range are still included in the higher range searches. So it gives the buyer the ability to filter out vetta + agency if they want to, which many of them have been asking for a long time. And even if they wish to see these, they'll still be able to see the lower stuff as before... As for perception, most designers work with their budgets in mind first and foremost.
Did they change the best match again around Wednesday? Sales are about 40% of what they were these past many weeks since that day... I hope it's not related to the price finder...
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There was a public holiday on Thursday in many European countries and many people took Friday off as well. So downloads are down for Europe.
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Well the good thing is that photos of the lower price range are still included in the higher range searches.
Not necessarily, but I don't see anything wrong with that. If a buyer wishes to see only the higher priced files, they can easily do that by moving both the upper & lower ranges so that only the higher range files are shown.
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Ouch I hadn't tried that bottom slider. That's nasty. Can't wait to read about sales results.
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Ouch I hadn't tried that bottom slider. That's nasty. Can't wait to read about sales results.
How do you think reading about other contributors sales will have any bearing or direct impact on yourself that the new filter has been a success or failure?
It's sole purpose is to help designers narrow down there search at the price point there willing to pay.It's only helpful to designers who use Istockphoto and hardly likely to bring more traffic/new clients to the site IMO.
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I think I prefer collections-symbols before the dots.
Buyers I've spoken with hate the collection symbols. Some don't even notice them or realize that they're a tool for determining an approximate price of an image from the search results page.
They've been screaming for a price filter, and now they've got it. I think it's long overdue and it can't hurt things at istock really. If anything this should keep some buyers from looking around for a new place to shop.
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I think I prefer collections-symbols before the dots.
Buyers I've spoken with hate the collection symbols. Some don't even notice them or realize that they're a tool for determining an approximate price of an image from the search results page.
They've been screaming for a price filter, and now they've got it. I think it's long overdue and it can't hurt things at istock really. If anything this should keep some buyers from looking around for a new place to shop.
youre right in a sense, as long as we undestand this tool is only there to aid buyers, we the contributors will not earn a dime more, in fact its got nothing to do with us. This is exclusivly for the buyers.
The reason I said collections was because at the moment some buyers take it for a quality-slider instead of a price-slider and thats detrimental to the entire collection and contributors for that matter.
heck! I dont care what they use or show as long as it works.
The one and ONLY thing that in any way will aid us contributors, exclusives and independants alike, is a total re-shake or re-vamp of the entire best match system ans as many have actually said within IS, start all over, start fresh.
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Ouch I hadn't tried that bottom slider. That's nasty. Can't wait to read about sales results.
How do you think reading about other contributors sales will have any bearing or direct impact on yourself that the new filter has been a success or failure?
It's sole purpose is to help designers narrow down there search at the price point they're willing to pay. It's only helpful to designers who use Istockphoto and hardly likely to bring more traffic/new clients to the site IMO.
I agree with Nicmac. I will be interested to see how this impacts sales of contributors who have images at different levels.
If it is being perceived by buyers as a quality slider, then independents might be reporting downed sales. As a buyer of pretty much anything, I like to buy in the middle of the quality range. I know I can't afford the most expensive, but don't want the cut rate junk either.
OTOH if most of istock's buyers are extremely cost conscious, then we will probably see a lot of complaints from the folks with a high number of V/A files.
I think the stats threads are very useful for watching how site changes affect contributors. And yes, I do know that this is a tool for buyers, not contributors, but buyer behavior has a huge affect on contributors bottom line.
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I'm hoping the fact that they introduced it just before the Summer Slump is going to be taken into account by both contributors and bean counters.
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youre right in a sense, as long as we undestand this tool is only there to aid buyers, we the contributors will not earn a dime more, in fact its got nothing to do with us. This is exclusivly for the buyers.
Well, only on the most obvious level. If buyers switch from Agency to contributors' files because they can find them again, instead of going off somewhere else, then obviously contributors will benefit. My sales look relatively healthy today, it may be the best day of the entire month.
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My sales are ok this week.New price filter coming into play?
Need to contact someone from the other side.......
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Yes I have also had a couple of good days, especially yesterday but when I look whats been sold, its pretty much the same files which are always being downloaded.
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My sales are ok this week.New price filter coming into play?
Need to contact someone from the other side.......
Other side of the fence speaking ... I'm sure it's too soon to call.
In my case, June was a good month - BMY for dls and $$, and almost reaching last June's dls, then suddenly after last Thursday, which was my BDY for dls, CRASH on Friday, and it's been dire since. Right back to Jan-Apr sales figures.
I doubt it's the filtee (unless all the buyers are sliding up from the lowest price rung), but I'd be very interested to know why. I'm not sure 'ebb and flow' really explains such dramatic crashes, and in my case, I'm not even convinced it's best match, as very few of my pics are in the high-demand, high-supply categories, and relatively few are in searches dominated by A/V.
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(...) - BME for dls and $$, and almost reaching last June's dls, then suddenly after last Thursday, which was my BDY for dls, CRASH on Friday, and it's been dire since. Right back to Jan-Apr sales figures.
(...)
That's exactly my situation. Up to friday last week the sales were great and from that day on it just dried up. So I guess it's a best match tweak.
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Not a best match tweak, I think we finally have to face the fact, its lack of buyers or dissapearing buyers? it seams no matter whats being done, its of little help.
The getty/IS constellation simply isnt working, simple as that. The hallmark seems to be, its working for a day or two and then its just back to its misserably self.
I didnt really want to accept it in the beginning but Im now sure buyers did leave in droves earlier on.
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And remember, the US is coming up on a big holiday this weekend, plus isn't summer usually slow?
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It has been pretty bad since last Saturday.