FAA - The Largest Art Site in the World?

[Newsfocus1]

No I didn't know! That was interesting if I care to upload something new, because I've been rotating things in and out, like some other people, by deleting and filling the holes.

In case anyone doesn't know - the free account limits you to 25 images for sale at any one time. There is no limit to the amount of images you can upload. I assume you can change which 25 are for sale when you like (I never actually found this out as I upgraded to a paid account when I hit 25 uploads). In other words, you do not need to delete anything if you want to put new images up for sale. Regards, David.

Like I said, it was an assumption you could do that which I never got to put to the test. There may be an easier way to switch images on the free account (which I don't see anymore) but just did some digging in the forums there and found a thread saying that if you hit edit on an image and make all your "mark up" boxes blank the image is removed from sale -thus presumably freeing up a slot for a new image. Reverse the process anytime if you want to. Regards, David.

[Ariene]

... you get the code from FAA under "Behind the scenes"  and then "marketing" and then "shopping cart widgets"

Thank you!! 

Oh lord... I've spent few days looking for that little thing, and it's that easy! lol

[ShadySue]

I've seen some weird ups and downs in image views - I don't think that information is accurate.  But some other people have been complaining about search order on FAA's forum.  It's pretty discouraging.  But like the micros, FAA can't resist fiddling with the search rules, and people find out they've wasted time and effort because the rules have changed.

Well, still apart from the Kiez bot which is picking up most of my new uploads, all my other recorded visitors, which mostly seem to be bots, are showing only on files uploaded last Feb and March. If the visitor information hasn't been accurate for weeks (at least), it's hard to be confident about any of their figures.

Just uploaded an image which only has 15 files returned on its main keywords. In default order:
9 from contributor A
3 from contributor B
1 from me
2 from contributor C.
Nothing to worry about on a search with only 15 files (it's from Scotland so hardly likely to sell from FAA), except that it shows a pattern; far more worrying on searches with pages of hits, and I've been noticing my new uploads have been landing firmly on the last page or two of those.

[wordplanet]

I've even had photos that had over 100 comments & likes and sales show up way back several pages in the search just days after the image was sold. Sales were moving along nicely for me and  my stuff was showing up, then around October/November it seemed like the search algorithms changed. I tweet about my work, blog, use g+, but it's not paying off at the moment. Then again, out of the blue I'll make a $200 sale, so it's worth keeping the stuff I have on there as I easily make back the $30 each year.

I've heard that soon comments, likes and favorites will no longer boost image placement. Can't confirm if it's true.

Had a couple hundred on Amazon. Seems like they are now all gone.

[stockastic]

I've heard that soon comments, likes and favorites will no longer boost image placement. Can't confirm if it's true.

That wouldn't surprise me.  It seems like the guy that owns FAA (it's a one man show) is taking it in an ever more commercial direction and eventually it will be just like the micros, except that it's selling prints instead of downloads.   Let's face it, he obviously isn't too concerned about the site's "Fine Art" credentials.   Search will be based on keyword matching and past sales (not necessarily in that order) and all the commenting, 'liking', contests and groups etc. will probably fall by the wayside.

[grey1]

You said it^  and too true. The problem as I see it is that just anybody can upload and without the slightest bit of control and editing, just green light all the way. People throw in some of the worst keywording I have ever seen.
How could you possibly promote Art in a place like that?

[stockastic]

FAA itself, being a one man operation, is also an obvious candidate for acquisition. 

[Chico]

I put some images for sale just for fun.

But, when randomly surfing the website, i found an "artist" which put an image for sale and warned:

"THIS IS NOT DRAWN BY ME THIS IS MADE BY AN ARTIST. I JUST UPLOADED THIS PHOTO, THIS PHOTO IS FOR FREE SO I SELL IT."

Looks like a place with very flexible rules...

[ShadySue]

I put some images for sale just for fun.

But, when randomly surfing the website, i found an "artist" which put an image for sale and warned:

"THIS IS NOT DRAWN BY ME THIS IS MADE BY AN ARTIST. I JUST UPLOADED THIS PHOTO, THIS PHOTO IS FOR FREE SO I SELL IT."

Looks like a place with very flexible rules...

Seem to be no rules, and most 'dubious' sellers aren't even as honest in their description.

[grey1]

Yes Sue and this is the problem. No checks, control, editing or anything. Spam like crazy. The search also favors American artists. I am actually doing well there but I am withdrawing. Not a very healthy environment at least not for photographers.

[stockastic]

It's like a lot of things on the web - starts out as a neat idea, a cool concept; interesting and talented people get on board - it's fun - then it starts generating some serious money - fast forward a couple of years and it's just another thoroughly corporatized 'outlet mall' running on autopilot.

[stockastic]

The most intriguing question to me is - why is someone minus-ing these posts?

[Goofy]

Since it is close to Valentine's day I gave out Hearts to balance the scales...

[Liatris]

The most intriguing question to me is - why is someone minus-ing these posts?

could it be that you have stated many times you hate stock photography  now and stated you were going to be here less, but each day you continue to post all your typical negativity.

[ShadySue]

The search also favors American artists.

Presumably because the price heavily favours American buyers¹, even without the huge shipping hike, then the taxes EU buyers would need to pay on receipt. Their promise of having a European printer available from 1st January came to naught, like other promises.

¹The vast majority of sales are to buyers in the US, which isn't suprising at the prices.

[grey1]

The search also favors American artists.

Presumably because the price heavily favours American buyers¹, even without the huge shipping hike, then the taxes EU buyers would need to pay on receipt. Their promise of having a European printer available from 1st January came to naught, like other promises.

¹The vast majority of sales are to buyers in the US, which isn't suprising at the prices.

I suppose that makes sense. Should be some sort of control/editing though. Just too wide open for everything and anything.

[stockastic]

The most intriguing question to me is - why is someone minus-ing these posts?

could it be that you have stated many times you hate stock photography  now and stated you were going to be here less, but each day you continue to post all your typical negativity.

I have to say, you're surprisingly familiar with my history, given that you registered a month ago and have made 3 posts (including this one).

[luissantos84]

It's like a lot of things on the web - starts out as a neat idea, a cool concept; interesting and talented people get on board - it's fun - then it starts generating some serious money - fast forward a couple of years and it's just another thoroughly corporatized 'outlet mall' running on autopilot.

have you ever considered opening one of those cool concepts? maybe you should!

[Uncle Pete]

Nope, never even saw that there was a drop down selection. Thanks for the definitive answer for FAA. Now I need to go figure out some of the real Microstock sites.

Anyone know for certain what of the three fields is searched. Or if there are others like Artists name that are searched. Looking for specifics, and this could help everyone here, get it right.

If you look at the search, you can see that the default is keyword only.
Options from the dropdown are 'Title', 'artist', 'Title+artist', 'Keyword+artist'.

[Chico]

Seems that our getty friends are selling some posters too

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/gettyimages.html

[munrotoo]

Seems that our getty friends are selling some posters too

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/gettyimages.html

they probably do that to flood the search results.

[Chico]

Seems that our getty friends are selling some posters too

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/gettyimages.html

they probably do that to flood the search results.

Seems funny. Getty, the largest in the industry earning a few bucks selling some prints? Why?

[ShadySue]

Seems that our getty friends are selling some posters too

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/gettyimages.html

they probably do that to flood the search results.

Seems funny. Getty, the largest in the industry earning a few bucks selling some prints? Why?

"Extra income channel"
Why not?

[Chico]

Seems that our getty friends are selling some posters too

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/gettyimages.html

they probably do that to flood the search results.

Seems funny. Getty, the largest in the industry earning a few bucks selling some prints? Why?

"Extra income channel"
Why not?

They can sell prints of my illos? (not selling there, but they could?)

Perhaps some photographer is with their work being sold without being aware.

[ShadySue]

Seems that our getty friends are selling some posters too

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/gettyimages.html

they probably do that to flood the search results.

Seems funny. Getty, the largest in the industry earning a few bucks selling some prints? Why?

"Extra income channel"
Why not?

They can sell prints of my illos? (not selling there, but they could?)

Perhaps some photographer is with their work being sold without being aware.

It could be written into their contract very vaguely (they are great at writing the contract vaguely), or those chosen could have been asked.