At this point, I think it would be weird to see un-retouched photos in ads, I've gotten so used to it. And I'm always surprised that people think the products *will* make them look like a retouched photo. Like, does anyone really believe that a shampoo will make their hair look like a glossy acrylic wig?

I thought everyone pretty much knew it was a marketing tactic...selling the fantasy.

But they have to understand the dynamics how a community works and what people want to make it work! I am not interested in the plattform managers, I am interested in reaching the people that I would like to connect with. Which is good for my business and good for my circles as well.

The problem is, they are so myopic in their thinking, they don't care about YOU reaching people YOU want to connect with. Business may be utilizing this tool, but it's pretty obvious when they are not being authentic, at least in my opinion. Take for instance, BP's Facebook page during the oil spill last year. They'd be posting about how great things were going and what a good job they were doing cleaning up the mess they created, but it was so clearly just marketing propaganda. Sure there were some BP evangelists - probably on the payroll - but the vast majority of people could see all that information was just superficial tactics to try to hoodwink the public.

"because those pesky communities aren't as easy to control and sell stuff to as you first thought" that and also the amazing transparency that the internet brings forces companies to be a lot more balanced than before.

No more wheeling and dealing behind closed doors. Someone will always talk and then it gets released worldwide. And will be discussed in all social media networks.

You would think, wouldn't you?! But from where I sit, it seems like they are trying to be even less transparent. And when someone blows the whistle on them, they launch a whole media campaign to discredit any critics and announce to the world how wonderful they are. I have to laugh every time I see a bank or natural gas or oil company commercial on TV telling me how much they care about me.

Then again, H&F and Getty, which are really the source of much of the misery and problems are from the USA as far as I know.

Is the correct answer.

And if someone knows of another way to say an "American" company as in a company that operates in the United States of America, I'm happy to listen. But I've never heard of anyone saying a "USAan" company.

Before Getty bought iStock, the forums were so fun - a rebellious, almost-anything-goes kind of place. I feel lucky to have met some great people (who I have also met in real life as well). Once Getty bought it, the fun was totally sucked out of it. First by banning topics, then the shenanigans with the business, the frequent thread locks, and then finally their quick on the draw, somewhat personal, banning policy. As one of my favorite iStock people once said, "It is now one of the most boring corners of the internet".

"I don't want someone who thinks they know my business and my clients better than me making decisions for me."

best match is always an assumption of what you might like. That is why it is called best match.

What you see in the search now, is what the company thinks you will like to buy. There is programm that goes over the hundred thousands of files that are in the database and comes up with a selection for you.

All stock sites do this now.

Cas, I have a question: how often do you as a buyer go to the artists portfolio? Do you ever look at their landing page? Do you read the artists bio? Do you look at their lightboxes? Do you bookmark an artist and make notes about their speciality?

I always thought best match should fit the keywords that one uses to search most accurately. It clearly is not that, however, but by the name of it, I think that is a safe guess to make.

Yes, I do make not of certain artists if I notice they have a lot of what I like. I will search their portfolios as well. On more rare occasions I will look at their lightboxes.

I�d love a best match that is intelligent and learns buyer behaviour. If the buyer prefers cheap files, give him best match results with 80% cheap files, if money is no problem, increase higher priced content. If the software detects similar buying patterns between two customers, show each of them the files the other has bought like..."other customers also bought these files"...but you don�t have to point them out in a special page. just add them to the mix.

Obviously add regional data etc...but I think many sites already do that.

I, personally, don't really like when things are decided for me. I'd rather make my own choices on what price range I want to see, I really don't want suggestions as to what other similar-minded people are buying (though that could be useful in what to avoid, LOL), and I think regional data/localized searches are somewhat useless in this global world. Designers have customers the world over. I don't know of anyone who designs solely for their "region".

Best Match is very relevent for the buyers and Istock as a business.We(contributors) have no say or control over any change.Off course we notice and comment on that change,especially if the sales wane, but i have never noticed any ill effect on my beautiful crafted imagery.
Think posative and some content might surface that you forgot about...Cream always rises.

Master baiter.

They should have said "Are you iSick of iSuck?" 

I almost want to respond just to mess with them. LOL

Quote from: caspixel on July 04, 2011, 08:41

Quote from: lthn on July 04, 2011, 03:01

Btw, dealing in large numbers means most of the clients are 'the plebs', and the plebs has no taste whatsoever... what do they like to consume in large quantities? Jerry Springer, cheeseburger, big gulp cola...

I always love reading about the disdain some people have for the customers . Always makes me wonder why you contribute to microstock.

Ppl should only deal business with ones they respect? Yeah thats what capitalism is all about, just look around : ) The whole world would stop.

Maybe the whole world should stop. This disdain is a big part of what is wrong with the world today. And just remember, you reap what you sow. Supplier's lack of respect towards buyers means buyer's lack of respect towards suppliers.

Btw, dealing in large numbers means most of the clients are 'the plebs', and the plebs has no taste whatsoever... what do they like to consume in large quantities? Jerry Springer, cheeseburger, big gulp cola...

I always love reading about the disdain some people have for the customers . Always makes me wonder why you contribute to microstock.

Thanks for posting Toni.  Wish more buyers would take the time to post their experiences

One of the reasons you don't hear more is because whenever we do, there always seems to be some argument or snide comment by someone.

That is what happens when you take all the fun out of something. Like Risamay, I made some great friendships on those forums. So glad I was able to continue them elsewhere, especially considering how many have been banned.