Did DT outsource their entire tech-team to some funny country that nobody ever heard of?

What's going on over there?

Everybody, please send emails to support explaining why it isn't working the way it should.

They need to get as many emails as possible describing the issue.

Nonetheless - this is an excellent shot. Well worth the money!

I hardly never check my msg on Dreamstime but I did after reading this post. Is it enough to fix the keywords or do I have to let them know also? What happens if I havent fixed my keywords?

Just edit your keywords accordingly and then it's ok. Eventually the flagged image will be checked - AGAIN by a reviewer who then verifies if the suggestion was valid and if so you changed your keywords appropriately.

If you feel that the flagged image was reported in error, send an email to DT support asking for clarification.

Good lord, they tell you who flags your content?

Yes they do and this is another reason why this system is flawed.

Talking about retribution...

Again: I don't know what they were thinking!

Come on everybody - think about it:

It does take time both to report and to defend the whole nonsense. And it all started because DT failed to review keywords (PROPERLY) once images get inspected - this is not the contributor's fault who uses proper keywords, don't you agree?

It's fine if you have the time to constantly write support defending your keywords especially for the reasons mentioned above such as "Eiffel tower", "potato" etc. which is a total nuisance and in total, a waste of hundreds of hours from contributors defending their valid keywords but I don't have that kind of time.

How can this system be called effective?

Now DT has to pay additional reviewers (or their time) to review stupidly flagged images when all those additional costs could be spent on reviewing  the initial keywords when uploading and locking them.

Obviously keyword spamming has become a major issue at DT (although it's seen everywhere) so this is not fair to take it out on contributors who correctly keyword their images getting reported by some idiots who have nothing better to do than sending out reports all day long for 2 cents each?

Seeing reports being from 2007 shows that something is out of control there - take this as an understatement.

DISAMBIGUATION!!!
I'd rather disambiguate all of my 2000 images at DT again instead of dealing with this reporting ****. Then at least there is no room anymore for misunderstood terms like the Hungarian flag etc.

It's just beyond me how such a reputable company can create such a convoluted feature.

I think we're going to hit a breaking point sooner or later.

Sorry, but today it has be Dreamstime.

The recent commission changes and this keyword reporting issue is just going into the wrong direction.

I've had images reported with perfectly valid keywords. Still I'm going forth an back with support to explain why I used which keyword.
For many of us English is not our mother tongue but still most of us are trying hard to keyword correctly.

Just because some low lives have too much times on their hands getting in the way of the long standing contributors by reporting their images for no valid reason.

I have to spend so much time to validate keywords that I can't get my regular work done.

Shall we just mass-email DT and let them know this reporting thing isn't working out?

If there is too much keyword spamming going on, then the reviewers need to check that and flag people who constantly upload invalid keywords instead of "engineer" this whole thing backwards.

What a waste of time.

Thanks for letting me vent.

I guess you know where our 20% pay cut will be applied 

I'd rather see this money invested into reviewers checking keywords while image review and locking them right away.
If changes need to be made it should be done by request through support. DONE.

Haven't really read all the answers here but I think your ideas are not a lost cause - at least some of them.

First off, lose the animal pics - market is over saturated and you need to deliver outstanding execution and concept to get those accepted and sold. Just because they get accepted doesn't mean they will sell... Think about that.

In Microstock it's about volume. If you deliver great quality you'll be rewarded with lots of downloads.

IMO the last three shots are really good concepts. It's the way you executed them that killed the saleability.

Now, the couple shot on the beach. Again I really think this is a good concept with the bottle in the foreground but for a shot like this it requires a lot more preparation than aligning the bottle in the foreground with the couple in the background. With outdoor shots like this one you better be checking the light first before trying to get the shot. This may sound funny but depending on if the beach is facing North, East, South or West you have to adapt to the sunlight and see if you can frame the shot ideally. This requires some understanding in terms of composition but also directing the couples postures and the correct placement of the bottle. These are all little details that can make a huge difference if the image sells well or not so well.

The X-mas tree. Maybe this tree in particular doesn't look too flattering but I love the concept. First off how often do you see a fully decorated X-mas tree outdoors in the snow? I think it's a unique approach and that concept hasn't been covered as much as "close-up of X-mas tree with ornament" 
I'd stick to the concept and maybe try it again next year with the tree being in a better shape and hoping for a lot of snow with nice blue sky. I think by now you understand that outdoor shots really depend a lot on factors that you can't control (some you can but not all).

Search results at iStockphoto for:
"Christmas tree outdoors" = 2300 images
"Christmas tree" = 15000

And the results for the outdoor trees barely include your approach. There are very nice ones already in their collection but it's still a great idea to shoot this rather than "beautiful woman with headset" 

The bubble gum situation.

Love it! Hold a second - I love the concept. Again, the execution needs work. I think the shot is too tight/close. IMO I see Vetta shots with "not-stock worthy" concepts but obviously somebody thinks otherwise. If this would be executed nicely I could see that as a Vetta shot. It'll definitely require some post processing to get there but again, I love the concept. Something we don't see a lot.

I think you have some nifty ideas. Once you get your camera under control there might be hope 

Keep going! You'll get there.

It would be great fun to hear "The Chad" from Fotolia attempting to answer a simple question about the value of a credit.

I know, I know. Let's not derail this to a Fotolia bashing...

What do you think:

Should the major microstock agencies also offer some sort of contributor meetings like Alamy does every year?

As an idea I was thinking of an online meeting with a live video feed of of the upper management members of an agency responding to the most asked questions and suggestions from its contributors. Also it could serve as an opportunity to announce future plans, current operations and some numbers on how the company is doing.

I'm just throwing this out there. Even if it's just some of the biggest contributors interacting with the agency staff to see how important questions and suggestions from the Pros are handed to the agency.

I hate the anonymity we deal with on a daily basis and it would be nice to get a bit more of a personal connection to the agencies.

Any thoughts?

I find the statement opening this thread sicker then that. The statement conveniently fail to acknowledge buyer's credits above $1.00 and all other currencies which make credit more then a $1.50. Denis

I do agree.