Thanks everyone for replying.  Great insights that I will read again in more detail.
The main reason I pulled all my images from iStock is because of an email recently that stated that on or about Aug. 20th first of all keywords will not be able to be changed once a file is uploaded.  I many times add or change keywords to make the image more find-able.  The bigger reason I pulled my images is because on this day also they will require us to have a legal reason to deactivate our images.  I'm not in the habit of deactivating images but I felt that my work was being hijacked and that I would not have control over my images.  Big issue with me is that my sales have dropped like a rock to very little.  Sub sales have cannibalized my regular sales.  My portfolio was not very big but I tried my best to put up quality images.  I don't like having my work out of my control and being given almost no money for it.  This is why I'm looking elsewhere.

I understand that the microstock business is being oversaturated and flooded with new images and contributors.  Nothing I can do about that.  I'm just looking for a better alternative to iStock which is not the same company at all that I joined in 2007.

Hi All.  I've been with iS since about 2008 and last week I deleted all my images and asked to drop exclusivity.  Sales dropping dramatically there for me and new rules prompted me to try some new places.
I'm thinking of joining SS but don't know anything about the company.
I know these answers can vary from person to person but...
Compared to iS, how are sales in SS?  Any advice like things to avoid or things to do at SS?
Thanks for reading.

Quote from: BlueMoonPics on July 17, 2016, 11:25

Well, I just deleted all files in my exclusive account.  After almost 10 years I'm closing it down. 
I just don't want to deal with Getty/iStock's bs any longer.  Locking my files up and not allowing to change keyword was what did me in.  I didn't upload that much compared to most others but it got to be not worth the effort any more.  I'll be looking for somewhere else to post and sell my stock pictures.  Anyone have any suggestions, I'm all ears.

From what I can see from the last year - video is the only fast growing area in stock industry: iStock sales disappeared 3 years ago. SS is flooded with millions of photos each week. Fotolia under Adobe is allure to attract more clients to their Creative Cloud their sales are worsening.

I'll probably look into SS anyway and see.  Video is something I'd like to get into.
I don't know much about it yet but need to research what equipment to use and software to get myself started.

I am not a happy camper.  I'm strongly considering deleting all my files and closing my account.  Need to find a better place to upload my pictures.  What the heck are they thinking over there?

Hi All:
I finally joined this Microstock group after many years of shooting stock on and off for iStock photo.
Things look grim there or maybe it's because my portfolio is really tiny and I don't upload much.

Anyway, hope to contribute hear and learn as well.
thx