My SS earnings used to be 15x higher than now, and they just keep nosediving from month to month. Once a good earner, now abomination. Seems like it will join mid-tier agencies soon. Inexcusable.
During this same time, my Adobe Stock earnings has been growing, and Istock has been consistent.
I'm considering to start treating SS like the other mid-tier agencies and completely stop uploading there.
same
edit: photo , illustration, >20k online files
Are you mainly a video or photo contributor?
I only sell photos on Shutterstock and Adobe Stock. I have 2x more photos on Shutterstock because they accept editorials. But my revenue is 1/3 of Adobe Stock. Shutterstock definitely isn't for creators. They are for their stockholders. Squeeze squeeze squeeze!!
+1
Quote from: stockman11 on June 23, 2023, 22:26
My SS earnings used to be 15x higher than now, and they just keep nosediving from month to month. Once a good earner, now abomination. Seems like it will join mid-tier agencies soon. Inexcusable.
During this same time, my Adobe Stock earnings has been growing, and Istock has been consistent.
I'm considering to start treating SS like the other mid-tier agencies and completely stop uploading there.
Are you mainly a video or photo contributor?
Mine is down about 80% on 2017, same on RPD so its not just a case of uploading more and more.
The various cuts of going from minimum $0.38 for photos down to effectively $0.10 etc.
Video used to pay well and ive got about 1400 videos. But you used to get $40 per clip, thats now down to $1 to $8.
The level system then further trashed earnings as you get paid a LOT less earlier in the year and even when you've levelled up you're miles off what you used to have.
Moving to a percentage based earning as well means whenever SS sell things more cheaply (always....) you now get a percentage of that new low figure so make even less from the sale.
It all adds up.
SS now pretty much sells ALL of its products massively cheaper than before *and* gives contributors a far lower percentage of that cheaper deal price.
Without going into earnings and incurring the wrath of SS, im significantly north of $1000 per month in reduced earnings since 2018 although the amount of downloads has actually increased.
AS is slowly, steadily improving. Its got fewer images and videos (no editorial) and as of last year overtook SS in average income and continues to pull away.
Quote from: gnirtS on June 24, 2023, 03:18
SS now pretty much sells ALL of its products massively cheaper than before *and* gives contributors a far lower percentage of that cheaper deal price.
That covers the reality of the situation. Lower percentage of a lower cost license.
Bad month here on SS too,it's not over yet but for now it could be the worst month since August 2020.
Too many 0.10 sales,I like work with SS,i don't have much to complain about,but these 0.10 cents must be reconsidered,it's too little and almost 0,at least 0.25 would be more fair and honest and in line with the times we live.
Entry level $0.25 was a very long time ago and is never coming back. The price SS sells to customers is now so low they'd lose too much money with every sale.
There's only one way its heading and thats iStock sub 1c sales.
I don't know what happened with sales in June on Shutterstock, but the number of sales is half of what it used to be compared to the average of the past several months.
I have a feeling that they made changes to the search results because my bestsellers have stopped selling. Generally, sales have been stable (fluctuating by a few percentages), but June saw a 50% drop overnight! Has anyone else experienced this?
The only thing I've noticed is better sales of new files, but that doesn't compensate for the decline. >:(
This month i have -40% on revenue. Making lot of money by month. This month is very bas but still sell lot of photo :(
I'm having a horrible month on SS as well, literally the worst in 10 years. Too many 10c sales (even at higher levels), and the small amount of video sales I do have are sub $5 so even that doesn't make up for it. I don't know what SS is doing, it seems like they are failing miserably.
In the meantime, Adobe is stronger than ever in terms of revenue (despite their recent "EUR becomes USD" cash grab and influx of AI crap) because the RPD is still somewhat decent.
Quote from: gnirtS on June 24, 2023, 03:18
Mine is down about 80% on 2017, same on RPD so its not just a case of uploading more and more.
The various cuts of going from minimum $0.38 for photos down to effectively $0.10 etc.
Video used to pay well and ive got about 1400 videos. But you used to get $40 per clip, thats now down to $1 to $8.
The level system then further trashed earnings as you get paid a LOT less earlier in the year and even when you've levelled up you're miles off what you used to have.
Moving to a percentage based earning as well means whenever SS sell things more cheaply (always....) you now get a percentage of that new low figure so make even less from the sale.
It all adds up.
SS now pretty much sells ALL of its products massively cheaper than before *and* gives contributors a far lower percentage of that cheaper deal price.
Without going into earnings and incurring the wrath of SS, im significantly north of $1000 per month in reduced earnings since 2018 although the amount of downloads has actually increased.
AS is slowly, steadily improving. Its got fewer images and videos (no editorial) and as of last year overtook SS in average income and continues to pull away.
Your experience with SS is identical to mine.
I wonder if their annual revenue is suffering in the same way as ours.
Quote from: stockman11 on June 23, 2023, 22:26
I'm considering to start treating SS like the other mid-tier agencies and completely stop uploading there.
I did that in 2020 when they changed the commission structure. Every time I think to start uploading again I just can't do it for 10 cents a pop, even for images that are processed, keyworded and ready to go. AdobeStock is the only one that seems to be growing these days.
Quote from: Micha91 on June 25, 2023, 16:15
I don't know what happened with sales in June on Shutterstock, but the number of sales is half of what it used to be compared to the average of the past several months.
I have a feeling that they made changes to the search results because my bestsellers have stopped selling. Generally, sales have been stable (fluctuating by a few percentages), but June saw a 50% drop overnight! Has anyone else experienced this?
The only thing I've noticed is better sales of new files, but that doesn't compensate for the decline. >:(
Same with me. June is unbelievable -- sales numbers suddenly down by 50% from previous months, huge income drop. Lots and lots of "single" sales between 10 and 20 cents. Not sure what's up with all the tiny singles.
I'm having my second best month of the year on Shutterstock with a mix of low and higher commissions on videos and download numbers overall are pretty good. So take heart that your poor month is probably temporary because I've had some very slow periods during this year when others are reporting all is peachy. Appears that internal 'adjustments' will impact different ports either negatively or positively.
Quote from: Pacesetter on June 28, 2023, 13:17
I'm having my second best month of the year on Shutterstock with a mix of low and higher commissions on videos and download numbers overall are pretty good. So take heart that your poor month is probably temporary because I've had some very slow periods during this year when others are reporting all is peachy. Appears that internal 'adjustments' will impact different ports either negatively or positively.
:o
The comissions are NOT cut "temporary" from 0.38 to 0.10.
Quote from: biibii on June 28, 2023, 13:24
Quote from: Pacesetter on June 28, 2023, 13:17
I'm having my second best month of the year on Shutterstock with a mix of low and higher commissions on videos and download numbers overall are pretty good. So take heart that your poor month is probably temporary because I've had some very slow periods during this year when others are reporting all is peachy. Appears that internal 'adjustments' will impact different ports either negatively or positively.
:o
The comissions are NOT cut "temporary" from 0.38 to 0.10.
True but don't rely on subs to build earnings, get more videos uploaded.
Quote from: Pacesetter on June 28, 2023, 13:43
Quote from: biibii on June 28, 2023, 13:24
Quote from: Pacesetter on June 28, 2023, 13:17
I'm having my second best month of the year on Shutterstock with a mix of low and higher commissions on videos and download numbers overall are pretty good. So take heart that your poor month is probably temporary because I've had some very slow periods during this year when others are reporting all is peachy. Appears that internal 'adjustments' will impact different ports either negatively or positively.
:o
The comissions are NOT cut "temporary" from 0.38 to 0.10.
True but don't rely on subs to build earnings, get more videos uploaded.
Videos don't sell for $23 a piece anymore either, you're lucky if you get an RPD from $5 to $12 or so.
My highest video sale this month was $5.27, the lowest was $0.25. It's a joke.
I am in the same boat and think I should stop uploading anything to shutterstock. All I get are 10 cts sales and that takes me no where.
Quote from: Noedelhap on June 28, 2023, 17:54
Quote from: Pacesetter on June 28, 2023, 13:43
Quote from: biibii on June 28, 2023, 13:24
Quote from: Pacesetter on June 28, 2023, 13:17
I'm having my second best month of the year on Shutterstock with a mix of low and higher commissions on videos and download numbers overall are pretty good. So take heart that your poor month is probably temporary because I've had some very slow periods during this year when others are reporting all is peachy. Appears that internal 'adjustments' will impact different ports either negatively or positively.
:o
The comissions are NOT cut "temporary" from 0.38 to 0.10.
True but don't rely on subs to build earnings, get more videos uploaded.
Videos don't sell for $23 a piece anymore either, you're lucky if you get an RPD from $5 to $12 or so.
My highest video sale this month was $5.27, the lowest was $0.25. It's a joke.
How bad is the video sales on Shutterstock now compared to pre-video sub days? I stopped selling video on Shutterstock in early 2021 because my sales came down to about 1/3 of pre-vide sub level.
My video sales are 70% below 2017...
Quote from: Pacesetter on June 28, 2023, 13:43
Quote from: biibii on June 28, 2023, 13:24
Quote from: Pacesetter on June 28, 2023, 13:17
True but don't rely on subs to build earnings, get more videos uploaded.
Which have been cut from an average RPD of $38.00 to an average of about $7.00 with some going for as low as $0.60.
I interviewed Doug Jensen, veteran stock footage contributor, with a portfolio of 9,187.
Question: In terms of sales volumes and revenue, have you experienced a decrease in the past two years since our last interview?
Answer: "If you define "sales volume" as being the total number of clips that are sold, then that number has remained fairly consistent since we last spoke. Unfortunately, my revenue, which is ultimately the metric that matters most, has dropped by more than 50% during that same time period. I attribute this to two things: First, Shutterstock made a lot of changes to their commission structure that have hurt contributors. And second, Shutterstock is really pushing customers towards a subscription-based sales model which results in overall lower pricing per clip — thus lower revenue for the contributors who created those clips.
Here's how I see it: If a customer pays an agency $50, does it really matter to the agency whether that $50 covers a single download or a hundred downloads? $50 is $50 of income to the agency no matter how you slice it. But the agency didn't put any effort whatsoever into shooting, editing, uploading, or creating the metadata, so they don't really care whether that $50 covers one download or a hundred downloads. It's still $50 of income (minus the commission) to their bottom line. But to the average contributor, it is devastating because we only get a very small slice of that $50 if the customer is downloading multiple files. The way the subscription model works, the more clips a customer downloads, the less money any individual contributor will get for their slice of the pie. The bottom line is that when you have agencies that are offering customers unlimited 4K and HD downloads for as little as $50 per month, who do you think loses? The contributor."
Link to full interview:
https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2023/06/28/interview-with-doug-jensen-stock-footage-expert-fresh-insight-after-2-years/
Quote from: trek on June 29, 2023, 02:24
My video sales are 70% below 2017...
Dropping from average of $38 to an average of $7 with some sales a few cents will do that.
They utterly demolished the video commission system and then made it even worse with the level system.
70% is roughly what i see as well.
The SS and their treatment of contributors is a prime example of how unions are born. It's no different than the "boardroom boys" of a company mulling over how they can squeeze their employees out of more money before the employees finally are fed up and unionize.
From my perspective that would entail contributors creating their own microstock site and contributors signing an agreement that this site would be the only one that they will contribute to.
It's a complicated scenario. How can the microstock group ensure that contributors are adhering to the agreement they signed and not continuing to feed the SS and other agencies with their images and clips using another erroneous name? And how can contributors initiate the site? Can enough money be raised to create and maintain the exclusive site? Will enough contributors sign up and build an agency that reaches the top 5?
50% for the contributor's exclusive agency and 50% of the buyer's money for the photographer/Videographer would be incentive to get things moving.
The SS boardroom boys and their trained monkeys. How can we, as photographers and videographers, change the current industry standards? Unionization. IMO.
I am not someone who has ever depended on commissions. I'm concerned about the contributors who used their earnings to
feed their families. In the pre-SS days when commissions were a
lot higher, the money was a part of the essential need for those of
us who really depended on commissions to move forward. Those are the people I think most about and why I feel the SS and other agencies are immoral and corrupt.
I had a BME on Pond5 last October. Of course, it wasn't a BME for overall stock video revenue because Shutterstock video sales was good before they started video sub and Adobe Stock started video sub too last year, but it was nice to see I can still get BME on Pond5 with 60% exclusive royalty.
Quote from: Asthebelltolls on June 29, 2023, 19:26
The SS and their treatment of contributors is a prime example of how unions are born. It's no different than the "boardroom boys" of a company mulling over how they can squeeze their employees out of more money before the employees finally are fed up and unionize.
From my perspective that would entail contributors creating their own microstock site and contributors signing an agreement that this site would be the only one that they will contribute to.
It's a complicated scenario. How can the microstock group ensure that contributors are adhering to the agreement they signed and not continuing to feed the SS and other agencies with their images and clips using another erroneous name? And how can contributors initiate the site? Can enough money be raised to create and maintain the exclusive site? Will enough contributors sign up and build an agency that reaches the top 5?
50% for the contributor's exclusive agency and 50% of the buyer's money for the photographer/Videographer would be incentive to get things moving.
The SS boardroom boys and their trained monkeys. How can we, as photographers and videographers, change the current industry standards? Unionization. IMO.
I am not someone who has ever depended on commissions. I'm concerned about the contributors who used their earnings to
feed their families. In the pre-SS days when commissions were a
lot higher, the money was a part of the essential need for those of
us who really depended on commissions to move forward. Those are the people I think most about and why I feel the SS and other agencies are immoral and corrupt.
Tale as old as time; people have been advocating for years for a union or a contibutor-run stock site, there have even been a couple of attempts in the past (Stocksy comes to mind). But in the end, heavy competition from the market leaders made it nearly impossible to gain enough traction and become a big player. And how do you get all contributors working together in the first place? Joining a union can be risky for those who need the income. People contribute to SS from all over the world, and in some low-wage countries, the revenue from SS is still enough to feed their families. So good luck convincing them to join your union.
Unions are by their very nature political and the second you get political you have disagreements and conflicts.
Its a non-starter.
IMO constant talk about how much less you're making isn't going to draw the attention of the Boardroom Boys. They couldn't give a flipping *. But sharing ideas about resolving the problem of low commissions may draw the attention of agencies.
Ok, a self-run contributor site isn't going to work, in your opinion. But an active, on-going conversation is far more effective than individual contributors complaining about the pennies their now making.
The Boardroom Boys figured as long as they can make their contributors roll over and rub their tummies they can do whatever they * well please. So far it's working, IMO.
Quote from: Brasilnut on June 29, 2023, 13:05
I interviewed Doug Jensen, veteran stock footage contributor, with a portfolio of 9,187.
Question: In terms of sales volumes and revenue, have you experienced a decrease in the past two years since our last interview?
Answer: "If you define "sales volume" as being the total number of clips that are sold, then that number has remained fairly consistent since we last spoke. Unfortunately, my revenue, which is ultimately the metric that matters most, has dropped by more than 50% during that same time period. I attribute this to two things: First, Shutterstock made a lot of changes to their commission structure that have hurt contributors. And second, Shutterstock is really pushing customers towards a subscription-based sales model which results in overall lower pricing per clip — thus lower revenue for the contributors who created those clips.
Here's how I see it: If a customer pays an agency $50, does it really matter to the agency whether that $50 covers a single download or a hundred downloads? $50 is $50 of income to the agency no matter how you slice it. But the agency didn't put any effort whatsoever into shooting, editing, uploading, or creating the metadata, so they don't really care whether that $50 covers one download or a hundred downloads. It's still $50 of income (minus the commission) to their bottom line. But to the average contributor, it is devastating because we only get a very small slice of that $50 if the customer is downloading multiple files. The way the subscription model works, the more clips a customer downloads, the less money any individual contributor will get for their slice of the pie. The bottom line is that when you have agencies that are offering customers unlimited 4K and HD downloads for as little as $50 per month, who do you think loses? The contributor."
Link to full interview:
https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2023/06/28/interview-with-doug-jensen-stock-footage-expert-fresh-insight-after-2-years/
That dude used to attack me when I criticized Shutterstock on Shutterstock's contributor forum. Now he's suffering the same fate as everybody else huh.
Quote from: blvdone on July 02, 2023, 13:36
That dude used to attack me when I criticized Shutterstock on Shutterstock's contributor forum. Now he's suffering the same fate as everybody else huh.
Yes. The dude is an arrogant know-it-all type, who was caught with his pants down on multiple occasions.
He was there to sell his "course" to those gulible enough to pay for something that is widely available for free.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 02, 2023, 19:05
Quote from: blvdone on July 02, 2023, 13:36
That dude used to attack me when I criticized Shutterstock on Shutterstock's contributor forum. Now he's suffering the same fate as everybody else huh.
Yes. The dude is an arrogant know-it-all type, who was caught with his pants down on multiple occasions.
He was there to sell his "course" to those gulible enough to pay for something that is widely available for free.
LOL!! Glad to hear you agree with me on this!! Yes, maybe he was just trying hard to sell his stock video tutorial videos. He was making ridiculous claim of making $300/hr or something on stock videos, but he didn't calculate his expenses for equipments, travel and his labor hours shooting footages because "he enjoys shooting". Total BS. Many end up making less than minimum wage these days in reality.
Yeah, screw Doug, the guy is incredibly arrogant and annoying.
Quote from: stockman11 on June 23, 2023, 22:26
My SS earnings used to be 15x higher than now, and they just keep nosediving from month to month. Once a good earner, now abomination. Seems like it will join mid-tier agencies soon. Inexcusable.
During this same time, my Adobe Stock earnings has been growing, and Istock has been consistent.
I'm considering to start treating SS like the other mid-tier agencies and completely stop uploading there.
Identical experience for me too.
Quote from: blvdone on July 02, 2023, 22:28
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 02, 2023, 19:05
Quote from: blvdone on July 02, 2023, 13:36
That dude used to attack me when I criticized Shutterstock on Shutterstock's contributor forum. Now he's suffering the same fate as everybody else huh.
Yes. The dude is an arrogant know-it-all type, who was caught with his pants down on multiple occasions.
He was there to sell his "course" to those gulible enough to pay for something that is widely available for free.
He was making ridiculous claim of making $300/hr or something on stock videos, but he didn't calculate his expenses for equipments, travel and his labor hours shooting footages because "he enjoys shooting". Total BS. Many end up making less than minimum wage these days in reality.
I remember this "calculation" too.
Hey guys, your favorite arrogant jerk has arrived at the party!! How ya'll doing? It is nice to feel your love. Kisses to everyone.
I thought you might like an update on my continued success with stock footage.
As of July 3, 2023
Lifetime earnings at Shutterstock: $217,011
Lifetime earnings at Adobe: $23,938
Lifetime earnings at Pond5: $12,000 (approximate)
Lifetime earnings at Getty: $13,977
Total: $266,926
Number of clips in Shutterstock portofilo: 9187 (with far fewer clips at other agencies)
Average earning per clip (so far): $29.05
Average time to edit, grade, add metadata, and upload each clip: 5 minutes
5 minutes = 12 clips per hour
12 x $29.05 = $348 per hour
So, I've already earned $348 per hour for my work, and those clips continue to earn money everyday. Not as much as they used to due to Shutterstock's changes a couple of years ago (completely out of my control), but I still have a nice steady income stream from work I already did a long time ago.
I have never hidden the fact that I do not factor in my time to shoot stock because I only shoot for fun. There is nothing in my portfolio that I didn't want to shoot or regretted shooting. It is all fun to me. No different than other people going fishing or golfing or hiking, etc. which they don't expect to be paid for. Only a moron can't understand that shooting for stock can be a legitimate leisure activity. Just because you hate it doesn't mean other people don't get pleasure from shooting.
I have also never hidden the fact that I do not factor in the cost of my camera equipment or computer hardware/software because I already own them because I actually work in the TV/video production industry. My gear is already bought and paid for from other sources and would be just sitting on the shelf gathering dust when I am not working on a paid gig.
So my income for the actual the work and drudgery of stock (creating the metadata) is $348. The numbers don't lie. They are just facts.
Now, if YOU think shooting stock is work or a chore or you hate doing it for whatever reason, then YOU should factor that into your own calculations. If YOU only use your camera gear for stock and never for any other purpose, then YOU should probably factor those costs into your own calculations. I HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT.
So, my friends, success is its own reward. Please continue with all the put-downs, insults, and name-calling you want. I'm laughing all the way to the bank while you're all just still whining about how the agencies are out to get you. Get over it. If you want to play the victim card, be my guest.
Quote from: Noedelhap on June 30, 2023, 11:56
People contribute to SS from all over the world, and in some low-wage countries, the revenue from SS is still enough to feed their families. So good luck convincing them to join your union.
Wow! A statement I can image the
Boardroom Boys making when justifying cutting commissions by 80%: "Sure, we've got contributors who used their commissions to feed their families. They bought rice, vegetables and maybe even took their families out for dinner once in a while when sales were good...but they can still buy them rice."
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 17:55
Average time to edit, grade, add metadata, and upload each clip: 5 minutes
Right...
Quote from: Elijah on July 03, 2023, 22:06
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 17:55
Average time to edit, grade, add metadata, and upload each clip: 5 minutes
Right...
Right, right... and I'm earning ♾️/hour because everything I do is for fun. ::)
Quote from: Elijah on July 03, 2023, 22:06
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 17:55
Average time to edit, grade, add metadata, and upload each clip: 5 minutes
Right...
If it takes you longer than that you must be doing something wrong. How long does it take you ingest, edit, grade, and create the metadata? I assure you, 5 minutes is a very conservative number for me.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 03, 2023, 22:34
Quote from: Elijah on July 03, 2023, 22:06
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 17:55
Average time to edit, grade, add metadata, and upload each clip: 5 minutes
Right...
Right, right... and I'm earning ♾️/hour because everything I do is for fun. ::)
If that is true, then you are a very lucky person. I hate doing metadata, so that will always be a chore for me and I absolutely must be paid well for doing it. As shown above, I'm at $348 per hour right now, but I'd keep doing it for 1/3 that. If it gets down to less than $100 per hour that is the day I will stop submitting.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 22:37
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 03, 2023, 22:34
Quote from: Elijah on July 03, 2023, 22:06
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 17:55
Average time to edit, grade, add metadata, and upload each clip: 5 minutes
Right...
Right, right... and I'm earning ♾️/hour because everything I do is for fun. ::)
If that is true, then you are a very lucky person. I hate doing metadata, so that will always be a chore for me and I absolutely must be paid well for doing it. As shown above, I'm at $348 per hour right now, but I'd keep doing it for 1/3 that. If it gets down to less than $100 per hour that is the day I will stop submitting.
I am not lucky! ♾️>348. Therefore I am better, despite my lack of talent!
Imagine that! ;D
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 03, 2023, 22:45
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 22:37
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 03, 2023, 22:34
Quote from: Elijah on July 03, 2023, 22:06
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 17:55
Average time to edit, grade, add metadata, and upload each clip: 5 minutes
Right...
Right, right... and I'm earning ♾️/hour because everything I do is for fun. ::)
If that is true, then you are a very lucky person. I hate doing metadata, so that will always be a chore for me and I absolutely must be paid well for doing it. As shown above, I'm at $348 per hour right now, but I'd keep doing it for 1/3 that. If it gets down to less than $100 per hour that is the day I will stop submitting.
I am not lucky! ♾️>348. Therefore I am better, despite my lack of talent!
Imagine that! ;D
Congratulations! I envy your willingness to do it all for free. But I have better things to do with my time if I'm not being paid. You are indeed a lucky person.
If you really love doing metadata, and can prove you can actually do it competently, I've got 6500 4K clips that are edited, rendered, and just awaiting metadata before i can upload them. I'd be more than happy to let you do all the metadata just for fun. I won't charge you a thing for giving you so much fun, in fact, I would be very thankful for your help. Please point me to some of your clips so I can judge your ability. This is gonna be great for both of us!! Makes me feel a little like Tom Sawyer.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 17:55
Hey guys, your favorite arrogant jerk has arrived at the party!! How ya'll doing? It is nice to feel your love. Kisses to everyone.
I thought you might like an update on my continued success with stock footage.
As of July 3, 2023
Lifetime earnings at Shutterstock: $217,011
Lifetime earnings at Adobe: $23,938
Lifetime earnings at Pond5: $12,000 (approximate)
Lifetime earnings at Getty: $13,977
Total: $266,926
Number of clips in Shutterstock portofilo: 9187 (with far fewer clips at other agencies)
Average earning per clip (so far): $29.05
Average time to edit, grade, add metadata, and upload each clip: 5 minutes
5 minutes = 12 clips per hour
12 x $29.05 = $348 per hour
So, I've already earned $348 per hour for my work, and those clips continue to earn money everyday. Not as much as they used to due to Shutterstock's changes a couple of years ago (completely out of my control), but I still have a nice steady income stream from work I already did a long time ago.
I have never hidden the fact that I do not factor in my time to shoot stock because I only shoot for fun. There is nothing in my portfolio that I didn't want to shoot or regretted shooting. It is all fun to me. No different than other people going fishing or golfing or hiking, etc. which they don't expect to be paid for. Only a moron can't understand that shooting for stock can be a legitimate leisure activity. Just because you hate it doesn't mean other people don't get pleasure from shooting.
I have also never hidden the fact that I do not factor in the cost of my camera equipment or computer hardware/software because I already own them because I actually work in the TV/video production industry. My gear is already bought and paid for from other sources and would be just sitting on the shelf gathering dust when I am not working on a paid gig.
So my income for the actual the work and drudgery of stock (creating the metadata) is $348. The numbers don't lie. They are just facts.
Now, if YOU think shooting stock is work or a chore or you hate doing it for whatever reason, then YOU should factor that into your own calculations. If YOU only use your camera gear for stock and never for any other purpose, then YOU should probably factor those costs into your own calculations. I HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT.
So, my friends, success is its own reward. Please continue with all the put-downs, insults, and name-calling you want. I'm laughing all the way to the bank while you're all just still whining about how the agencies are out to get you. Get over it. If you want to play the victim card, be my guest.
U R the GOAT!!
Quote from: blvdone on July 03, 2023, 23:31
U R the GOAT!!
Oh, I highly doubt that. I am absolutely certain that there are many people who could put my earnings and hourly wage to shame. I'm just a yeoman with a little side hustle. That's all.
I think I have to buy his "How to make $$$ uploading videos to Shutterstock" tutorial video. I'm nowhere near making $350/hr. I've been doing this totally wrong way.
Quote from: blvdone on July 03, 2023, 23:35
I think I have to buy his "How to make $$$ uploading videos to Shutterstock" tutorial video. I'm nowhere near making $350/hr. I've been doing this totally wrong way.
That might be true about doing it the wrong way. What is your process? I'd be happy to take a look at your best clips and give you some free feedback on the subject matter, editing, grading, and of course, the all important metadata. Post a link and I'll do my best to get you headed in the right direction.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 23:37
Quote from: blvdone on July 03, 2023, 23:35
I think I have to buy his "How to make $$$ uploading videos to Shutterstock" tutorial video. I'm nowhere near making $350/hr. I've been doing this totally wrong way.
That might be true about doing it the wrong way. What is your process? I'd be happy to take a look at your best clips and give you some free feedback on the subject matter, editing, grading, and of course, the all important metadata. Post a link.
It's OK. I'm too embarrassed after seeing your $$$ figure. I totally suck at this. I should go back to delivering newspapers.
Quote from: blvdone on July 03, 2023, 23:39
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 23:37
Quote from: blvdone on July 03, 2023, 23:35
I think I have to buy his "How to make $$$ uploading videos to Shutterstock" tutorial video. I'm nowhere near making $350/hr. I've been doing this totally wrong way.
That might be true about doing it the wrong way. What is your process? I'd be happy to take a look at your best clips and give you some free feedback on the subject matter, editing, grading, and of course, the all important metadata. Post a link.
It's OK. I'm too embarrassed after seeing your $$$ figure. I totally suck at this. I should go back to delivering newspapers.
Good idea. My first real job was delivering newspapers when I was in Jr. High and that allowed me to buy my first camera. So, yes, that is an excellent place to start.
Good idea. My first real job was delivering newspapers when I was in Jr. High and that allowed me to buy my first camera. So, yes, that is an excellent place to start.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 22:58
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 03, 2023, 22:45
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 22:37
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 03, 2023, 22:34
Quote from: Elijah on July 03, 2023, 22:06
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 17:55
Average time to edit, grade, add metadata, and upload each clip: 5 minutes
Right...
Right, right... and I'm earning ♾️/hour because everything I do is for fun. ::)
If that is true, then you are a very lucky person. I hate doing metadata, so that will always be a chore for me and I absolutely must be paid well for doing it. As shown above, I'm at $348 per hour right now, but I'd keep doing it for 1/3 that. If it gets down to less than $100 per hour that is the day I will stop submitting.
I am not lucky! ♾️>348. Therefore I am better, despite my lack of talent!
Imagine that! ;D
Congratulations! I envy your willingness to do it all for free.
Thanks!
But rest assured that I'm not doing all this for free!
I'm doing it for a lot of money and I'm enjoying it!
Based on your calculation, my my rate is ♾️/hour and that's so much fun! :D
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 03, 2023, 22:58
Please point me to some of your clips so I can judge your ability. This is gonna be great for both of us!! Makes me feel a little like Tom Sawyer.
There is zero chance that I would ever share my trade secret with you!
Not even if you pay me for a crash course!
It is not up to you to judge my ability, but rather the other way around, since I am making ♾️/hour, and you are only making $348/hour.
;D
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 02:47
PS. There is no chance that I would ever share my trade secret with you!
Not even if you pay me for a crash course! ;D
That's a shame. I already had my wallet out.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 02:54
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 02:47
PS. There is no chance that I would ever share my trade secret with you!
Not even if you pay me for a crash course! ;D
That's a shame. I already had my wallet out.
Well... you will have to learn it the hard way! Go back to grinding!
In life, you don't get success served on a silver platter! ;D
We have discussed this at length in the past.
From my point of view, this is misleading. There are millions of creatives who love their job and have fun doing it. And there are millions of creatives who are still barely able to make a living because they miscalculate. They sit too long on projects that pay poorly because they want to deliver an excellent result, even if the pay is only enough for an average design.
I too love my job as a designer, enjoy it every day and couldn't imagine doing anything else. Nevertheless, I have to calculate correctly in order not to cheat myself and to be able to feed my family. And even if I enjoy driving a car, for example, I have to calculate the travel time to the customer. Likewise my travel times to Geneva, Amsterdam or Barcelona, even if I enjoy traveling.
I even have fun editing my images for stock. Still, I calculate that time in.
At least, that's how I see it with calculating the hourly rate. And stand by my statement that a calculation of 5 minutes per file is unrealistic from my point of view.
Quote from: Wilm on July 04, 2023, 11:58
I too love my job as a designer, enjoy it every day and couldn't imagine doing anything else.
Nice!
So you are also making ♾️/hour, according to the "Jensen logic"!
Lucky you!
;D
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 14:28
So you are also making ♾️/hour, according to the "Jensen logic"!
Lucky you!
;D
I enjoy taking photos and video. So obviously today i was pleased to learn that instead of seeing monthly income drop off a cliff in the last 3 years im actually earning infinite amounts of money per hour and am richer than my wildest dreams.
Quote from: Wilm on July 04, 2023, 11:58
We have discussed this at length in the past.
From my point of view, this is misleading. There are millions of creatives who love their job and have fun doing it. And there are millions of creatives who are still barely able to make a living because they miscalculate. They sit too long on projects that pay poorly because they want to deliver an excellent result, even if the pay is only enough for an average design.
Wilm, I am not responsible for, nor do I really care if other creatives are happy or not with their earnings. I wish them success, as I do all people in all professions, but their success or lack of success has nothing to with me. In fact, in my experience, creatives are some of the worst business people I've ever met. And you cannot be successful in stock if you don't know how to manage your time, your expenses, choose to create content that is in demand, be able to generate effective metadata, and have an efficient workflow. I would argue that "creativity" is one of the least important aspects of being successful at stock. I for one do not consider myself creative at all, yet I'm making what I feel is a decent income.
I hope everyone would agree it is very important for any stock contributor to figure out how much they are earning for the amount of time and effort they put into their portfolio. That is just business 101. If someone cannot quantity their earnings by hour, day, or some other metric that makes sense to them, how can they ever get a handle on the value of what they are earning? On the face of it, a $1000 of revenue sounds great, but if I had to spend 100 hours to earn that $1000, then it is not so good. Revenue always has to be viewed against what it took to earn that revenue. I hope we can all agree on that.
However, with that said, we don't have to agree on HOW we calculate the value of the time and effort that goes into our stock footage businesses. I have explained in great detail how I calculate my earnings. Other people may not agree with my formula. Fine. The point is that I have a formula that makes sense to me and I have explained it in detail. I don't expect everyone to agree that they should use the same formula. Other people can calculate their earnings using whatever formula that make sense to them. Only a fool would keep blundering along without stopping to take a look at the big picture of earnings vs. time and expenses.
What I don't understand is why people get so angry when I explain my formula. It brings out such hatred. Why is that? Why is it so offensive to people that I am willing to open the books to show my earnings and then explain how I calculate my hourly income? If you don't agree with my methods, fine, but what difference should it make to you? Why the anger?
I challenge anyone else to open their books and explain how they calculate their own earnings. People always want to take a crap on mine, but nobody else ever steps up to the plate and says "Here's how I do it, and here's why my method makes more sense to me." I could respect that even if my methods differ. Nobody does that. They just want to throw stones at me because I had the gall to go on record with my own earnings.
What do we get instead, silly childish postings about infinite earnings per hour, and dumb stuff like you'd expect to hear from a 2nd grader. Are there no adults in the room who are willing to have an adult conversation without calling people names and throwing insults because they don't agree with someone else's formula? Does throwing out asinine statements about infinite earnings per hour lead to a meaningful conversation about this topic?
It's been a couple of years since SS shut down there forum, and so I come here now to read hundreds of postings by the same cast of characters bitching about the same stuff and tilting at the same windmills. Where does it all get them?
Quote from: Wilm on July 04, 2023, 11:58At least, that's how I see it with calculating the hourly rate. And stand by my statement that a calculation of 5 minutes per file is unrealistic from my point of view.
Yes, it might be unrealistic from your point of view because you do things differently than me. Obviously, you are welcome to do things anyway you want to, but that doesn't mean I can't do what I say I can do. I can't free-climb Half Dome in three hours or run a 100 meter dash under 10 seconds, but that doesn't mean other people can't do it.
Yes, I really can process 12 clip per hour (edit, grade, export, generate metadata, and upload) without batting an eye. Actually it is closer to three minutes, but I like to be conservative and say 5 minutes. How can I do it? Because I have a workflow and system in place that allows me to do it. And through my online master class and in-person workshops, I have taught hundreds of other people to use the exact same methods to speed up their workflow too. Here's a secret: The less time I spend creating my content, the more money I earn per hour of my time. It is that simple. If someone can cut their time to create content in half, they have instantly doubled their hourly income. It is as simple as that.
Some contributors are like a cobbler working in their little home workshop to create a perfect pair of shoes by hand. While other people, like myself have more of an assembly line approach where speed and efficiency are king. You might be building a house with a pocket full of nails and a hammer, while I'm using a high-powered nail gun to get the same job done faster. You might be an author banging away on a manual typewriter, while I'm cruising along with a word processor to get the same work done in a fraction of the time.
Why is it that people can't understand that workflow, and the tools we use, actually matter to the bottom line? And that someone else may have a better way of getting the job done.
May I ask what software you use to edit, grade, export, and upload?
May I ask how you generate and manage your vast library metadata, and how you use are able to use older metadate to automate the creation of metadata for new clips?
May I ask how you shoot your footage and what tools you use onboard your camera, and during ingest, that will make you more efficient in post?
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 15:50
What do we get instead, silly childish postings about infinite earnings per hour,
I know it hurts, but this not childish.
It's simple math and a logical consequence of your, no matter how you try to spin it, silly calculation.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:15
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 15:50
What do we get instead, silly childish postings about infinite earnings per hour,
I know it hurts, but this not childish.
It's simple math and a logical consequence of your, no matter how you try to spin it, silly calculation.
Of course it is childish to say you have infinite earnings. Do you have all the money in the world? I think not. Case settled.
What is wrong with my calculation and why is it so offensive to you?
What is your calculation? Please share.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 16:18
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:15
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 15:50
What do we get instead, silly childish postings about infinite earnings per hour,
I know it hurts, but this not childish.
It's simple math and a logical consequence of your, no matter how you try to spin it, silly calculation.
Of course it is childish to say you have infinite earnings. Do you have all the money in the world? I think not. Case settled.
What is wrong with my calculation and why is it so offensive to you?
What is your calculation? Please share.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 16:18
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:15
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 15:50
What do we get instead, silly childish postings about infinite earnings per hour,
I know it hurts, but this not childish.
It's simple math and a logical consequence of your, no matter how you try to spin it, silly calculation.
What is wrong with my calculation and why is it so offensive to you?
What is your calculation? Please share.
In case you don't realize, it's an elementary logic tool, called "reductio ad absurdum".
You assume a hypothesis to be right, and you prove it wrong, when it leads to an absurd conclusion.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:22
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 16:18
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:15
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 15:50
What do we get instead, silly childish postings about infinite earnings per hour,
I know it hurts, but this not childish.
It's simple math and a logical consequence of your, no matter how you try to spin it, silly calculation.
What is wrong with my calculation and why is it so offensive to you?
What is your calculation? Please share.
In case you don't realize, it's elementary logic called "reductio ad absurdum".
You asume the premise to be right, and you prove it wrong, when it leads to an absurd conclusion.
You're just avoiding the question with childish statments like that. "It's wrong becuase I say it is wrong". Childish
I'll ask you again . . .
What is wrong with my calculation and why is it so offensive to you?
What is your calculation? Lay it on the table so we can be enlightened at to the correct way to do it that meets your standards. I am listening. Here is you chance to actually post something of substance rather than throwing stones.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 16:26
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:22
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 16:18
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:15
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 15:50
What do we get instead, silly childish postings about infinite earnings per hour,
I know it hurts, but this not childish.
It's simple math and a logical consequence of your, no matter how you try to spin it, silly calculation.
What is wrong with my calculation and why is it so offensive to you?
What is your calculation? Please share.
In case you don't realize, it's elementary logic called "reductio ad absurdum".
You asume the premise to be right, and you prove it wrong, when it leads to an absurd conclusion.
You're just avoiding the question with childish statments like that. "It's wrong becuase I say it is wrong". Childish
I'll ask you again . . .
What is wrong with my calculation and why is it so offensive to you?
What is your calculation? Lay it on the table so we can be enlightened at to the correct way to do it that meets your standards. I am listening. Here is you chance to actually post something of substance rather than throwing stones.
I am not avoiding anything.
Follow me:
Let's assume that your calculation leading to your claim of $348/hour is correct.
If that's true, then following the same "logic", my earnings are ♾️/hour, as shown above.
But this is absurd. Therefore the original assumption, your calculation, is wrong.
And silly.
Quod Erat Demonstrandum.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:32
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 16:26
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:22
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 16:18
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:15
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 15:50
What do we get instead, silly childish postings about infinite earnings per hour,
I know it hurts, but this not childish.
It's simple math and a logical consequence of your, no matter how you try to spin it, silly calculation.
What is wrong with my calculation and why is it so offensive to you?
What is your calculation? Please share.
In case you don't realize, it's elementary logic called "reductio ad absurdum".
You asume the premise to be right, and you prove it wrong, when it leads to an absurd conclusion.
You're just avoiding the question with childish statments like that. "It's wrong becuase I say it is wrong". Childish
I'll ask you again . . .
What is wrong with my calculation and why is it so offensive to you?
What is your calculation? Lay it on the table so we can be enlightened at to the correct way to do it that meets your standards. I am listening. Here is you chance to actually post something of substance rather than throwing stones.
I am not avoid anything.
Follow me:
Let's assume that your calculation leading to your claim of $348/hour is correct.
If that's true, then my earnings are ♾️/hour, as shown above.
But this is absurd. Therefore the original assumption, your calculation, is wrong.
And silly.
Quod Erat Demonstrandum.
Wow, you are really a piece of work I've given you multiple opportunities to explain yourself but you won't do it. Childish. I will not waste time discussing it with you any further. If anyone else would care to enage in an adult conversation and compare methods I would be a happy to do so. I have no time for trolls.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 16:36
Wow, you are really a piece of work I've given you multiple opportunities to explain yourself but you won't do it. Childish. I will not waste time discussing it with you any further. If anyone else would care to enage in an adult conversation and compare methods I would be a happy to do so. I have no time for trolls.
Sorry, man, but it looks like you may have skipped some high school classes, back in the day.
But that's OK, since you were working hard distributing newspapers to buy your first camera.
I respect that 100%.
Nevertheless, it's never too late to catch up with your math and logic and adjust your silly $348/hour calculation.
This knowledge is now widely available on the internet, for free, similarly to what you are selling in your look-at-me-and-get-rich-quick "course".
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:51Nevertheless, it's never too late to catch up with your math and logic and adjust your silly $348/hour calculation.
Okay, against my better judgement, and despite what I said in my last post, I will give you one more chance to explain exactly what is about by calculation you don't like. What should I do differently? What is wrong with it? Please tell me what you find so flawed with my calculation -- and I will do my best to plug in the appropriate values to your satisfaction.
In other words, if my calculation is wrong, tell me how to fix it. What is missing? Just tell me in simple words even a moron like me can understand.
The floor is yours.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 17:04
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:51Nevertheless, it's never too late to catch up with your math and logic and adjust your silly $348/hour calculation.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 17:04
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:51Nevertheless, it's never too late to catch up with your math and logic and adjust your silly $348/hour calculation.
Okay, against my better judgement, and despite what I said in my last post, I will give you one more chance to explain exactly what is about by calculation you don't like. What should I do differently? What is wrong with it? Please tell me what you find so flawed with my calculation -- and I will do my best to plug in the appropriate values to your satisfaction.
In other words, if my calculation is wrong, tell me how to fix it. What is missing? Just tell me in simple words even a moron like me can understand.
The floor is yours.
The beauty of the reductio ad absurdum method is that you don't have to show WHY a hypothesis is wrong. You just prove it is.
Besides, I am not here to help you to understand how to better run your business.
I only did you a favor by showing that you made an error. You're welcome!
So accept that your calculation is wrong (and silly) and try to figure out WHY by yourself.
Good luck!
;)
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 17:12
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 17:04
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:51Nevertheless, it's never too late to catch up with your math and logic and adjust your silly $348/hour calculation.
Okay, against my better judgement, and despite what I said in my last post, I will give you one more chance to explain exactly what is about by calculation you don't like. What should I do differently? What is wrong with it? Please tell me what you find so flawed with my calculation -- and I will do my best to plug in the appropriate values to your satisfaction.
In other words, if my calculation is wrong, tell me how to fix it. What is missing? Just tell me in simple words even a moron like me can understand.
The floor is yours.
The beauty of the reductio ad absurdum method is that you don't have to show WHY a hypothesis is wrong. You just prove it is.
Besides, I am not here to help you to understand how to better run your business.
I only did you a favor by showing that you made an error. You're welcome!
So accept that your calculation is wrong (and silly) and try to figure out WHY by yourself.
Good luck!
;)
Yup, that's exactly what I expected you to say.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 17:12
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 17:04
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 16:51Nevertheless, it's never too late to catch up with your math and logic and adjust your silly $348/hour calculation.
Okay, against my better judgement, and despite what I said in my last post, I will give you one more chance to explain exactly what is about by calculation you don't like. What should I do differently? What is wrong with it? Please tell me what you find so flawed with my calculation -- and I will do my best to plug in the appropriate values to your satisfaction.
In other words, if my calculation is wrong, tell me how to fix it. What is missing? Just tell me in simple words even a moron like me can understand.
The floor is yours.
The beauty of the reductio ad absurdum method is that you don't have to show WHY a hypothesis is wrong. You just prove it is.
Besides, I am not here to help you to understand how to better run your business.
I only did you a favor by showing that you made an error. You're welcome!
So accept that your calculation is wrong (and silly) and try to figure out WHY by yourself.
Good luck!
;)
Would you be so kind as to explain to the uneducated audience reading along here why this discussion is being conducted so aggressively?
Apart from the fact that I don't necessarily see the hourly wage as an adequate parameter for economic success in the stock photo business, I can follow most of Doug's arguments very well and would find the knowledge of his workflow interesting.
At least I don't see any reason for arrogant behavior towards Doug from my side - and before you get any stupid ideas, I didn't skip any high school classes and my latin is still quite fluent ;)
No worries, Ralf.
Discussing workflows is perfectly fine.
But there is difference between discussing workflows and chestbeating yourself with an absurd (for microstock) $348/hour earnings, only because you have fun doing your work. ::)
And all this, to impress some who will be will be willing to pay for his get-rich-quick course.
But since this hasn't happened here, yet: "In dubio pro reo" ;)
.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 17:48
No worries, Ralf.
Discussing workflows is perfectly fine.
But there is difference between discussing workflows and chestbeating yourself with an absurd (for microstock) $348/hour earnings, only because you have fun doing your work. ::)
And all this, to impress some who will be will be willing to pay for his get-rich-quick course.
But since this hasn't happened here, yet: "In dubio pro reo" ;)
Thank you Zero for your reply.
However, I still do not understand the aggressiveness in the discussion.
As I understand it, the agitation is the $348/hour. Of course, that in itself is very lurid and attention grabbing. But Doug was also fair enough to explain how the total came about.
I can relate to all of this in that I am in the same situation and my bill looks similar.
Professionally, I do something completely different full time.
Stock photography is purely a hobby for me. High quality cameras and other equipment were already in place. The photography itself I do not see as work, but as relaxation from my actual job. During this time I could have also watched TV, read a book or done something else.
So for me, this is also not working time, but relaxing leisure. It's the same with image post-processing.
Without it being my intention at the beginning, I now regularly earn money with it.
From this personal point of view, which is also ultimately Doug's, I find the absolute numbers presented - leaving aside the hourly wage - very impressive.
At least for a hobby. And that's how I understood Doug's explanations here.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 19:22
.
You are losing the discussion here Zero by a mile. C'mon get up and fight :)
Quote from: SVH on July 04, 2023, 20:01
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 19:22
.
You are losing the discussion here Zero by a mile. C'mon get up and fight :)
No worries, the dot was just me noticing that I misspelled Ralf's name, and clicking the wrong button to fix it. :)
Quote from: RalfLiebhold on July 04, 2023, 19:47
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 17:48
No worries, Ralf.
Discussing workflows is perfectly fine.
But there is difference between discussing workflows and chestbeating yourself with an absurd (for microstock) $348/hour earnings, only because you have fun doing your work. ::)
And all this, to impress some who will be will be willing to pay for his get-rich-quick course.
But since this hasn't happened here, yet: "In dubio pro reo" ;)
Thank you Zero for your reply.
However, I still do not understand the aggressiveness in the discussion.
As I understand it, the agitation is the $348/hour. Of course, that in itself is very lurid and attention grabbing. But Doug was also fair enough to explain how the total came about.
I can relate to all of this in that I am in the same situation and my bill looks similar.
Professionally, I do something completely different full time.
Stock photography is purely a hobby for me. High quality cameras and other equipment were already in place. The photography itself I do not see as work, but as relaxation from my actual job. During this time I could have also watched TV, read a book or done something else.
So for me, this is also not working time, but relaxing leisure. It's the same with image post-processing.
Without it being my intention at the beginning, I now regularly earn money with it.
From this personal point of view, which is also ultimately Doug's, I find the absolute numbers presented - leaving aside the hourly wage - very impressive.
At least for a hobby. And that's how I understood Doug's explanations here.
I also do something else full time.
But if you understand the "Jensen logic", which wrongly claims that he is making $348/hour, because he only accounts for the time spent keywording, then you also must agree that those who have fun shooting (while doing something else full time, like us) AND also have fun keywording, must be making ♾️/hour.
Presenting his absolute numbers while leaving out his $348/hour silly falacy should be perfectly fine.
:)
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 20:35
Quote from: RalfLiebhold on July 04, 2023, 19:47
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 17:48
No worries, Ralf.
Discussing workflows is perfectly fine.
But there is difference between discussing workflows and chestbeating yourself with an absurd (for microstock) $348/hour earnings, only because you have fun doing your work. ::)
And all this, to impress some who will be will be willing to pay for his get-rich-quick course.
But since this hasn't happened here, yet: "In dubio pro reo" ;)
Thank you Zero for your reply.
However, I still do not understand the aggressiveness in the discussion.
As I understand it, the agitation is the $348/hour. Of course, that in itself is very lurid and attention grabbing. But Doug was also fair enough to explain how the total came about.
I can relate to all of this in that I am in the same situation and my bill looks similar.
Professionally, I do something completely different full time.
Stock photography is purely a hobby for me. High quality cameras and other equipment were already in place. The photography itself I do not see as work, but as relaxation from my actual job. During this time I could have also watched TV, read a book or done something else.
So for me, this is also not working time, but relaxing leisure. It's the same with image post-processing.
Without it being my intention at the beginning, I now regularly earn money with it.
From this personal point of view, which is also ultimately Doug's, I find the absolute numbers presented - leaving aside the hourly wage - very impressive.
At least for a hobby. And that's how I understood Doug's explanations here.
I also do something else full time.
But if you understand the "Jensen logic", which wrongly claims that he is making $348/hour, because he only accounts for the time spent keywording, then you also must agree that those who have fun shooting (while doing something else full time, like us) AND also have fun keywording, must be making ♾️/hour.
Presenting his absolute numbers while leaving out his $348/hour silly falacy should be perfectly fine.
:)
Thank you, now I have finally understood your argumentation.
But Doug's hourly wage is still not wrong, he just defined the conditions differently than you or others and explained it the same way.
Now I can go to sleep calmly ;D
Quote from: RalfLiebhold on July 04, 2023, 21:02
Thank you, now I have finally understood your argumentation.
But Doug's hourly wage is still not wrong, he just defined the conditions differently than you or others and explained it the same way.
Now I can go to sleep calmly ;D
Again, if you agree that Jensen's hourly earnings are correct, then you must also agree that mine are also correct, when I say ♾️/hour.
But Ralf, I think you could do better, if you would remember your Latin, because both claims are absurd.
Sweet dreams!
:)
Quote from: RalfLiebhold on July 04, 2023, 21:02
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 20:35
Quote from: RalfLiebhold on July 04, 2023, 19:47
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 17:48
No worries, Ralf.
Discussing workflows is perfectly fine.
But there is difference between discussing workflows and chestbeating yourself with an absurd (for microstock) $348/hour earnings, only because you have fun doing your work. ::)
And all this, to impress some who will be will be willing to pay for his get-rich-quick course.
But since this hasn't happened here, yet: "In dubio pro reo" ;)
Thank you Zero for your reply.
However, I still do not understand the aggressiveness in the discussion.
As I understand it, the agitation is the $348/hour. Of course, that in itself is very lurid and attention grabbing. But Doug was also fair enough to explain how the total came about.
I can relate to all of this in that I am in the same situation and my bill looks similar.
Professionally, I do something completely different full time.
Stock photography is purely a hobby for me. High quality cameras and other equipment were already in place. The photography itself I do not see as work, but as relaxation from my actual job. During this time I could have also watched TV, read a book or done something else.
So for me, this is also not working time, but relaxing leisure. It's the same with image post-processing.
Without it being my intention at the beginning, I now regularly earn money with it.
From this personal point of view, which is also ultimately Doug's, I find the absolute numbers presented - leaving aside the hourly wage - very impressive.
At least for a hobby. And that's how I understood Doug's explanations here.
I also do something else full time.
But if you understand the "Jensen logic", which wrongly claims that he is making $348/hour, because he only accounts for the time spent keywording, then you also must agree that those who have fun shooting (while doing something else full time, like us) AND also have fun keywording, must be making ♾️/hour.
Presenting his absolute numbers while leaving out his $348/hour silly falacy should be perfectly fine.
:)
Thank you, now I have finally understood your argumentation.
But Doug's hourly wage is still not wrong, he just defined the conditions differently than you or others and explained it the same way.
Now I can go to sleep calmly ;D
The point is, the vast majority of stock video contributors agree that his calculation of $348/hr is BS because we the professionals always calculate business expenses into account. And the way he was acting like arrogant bully on Shutterstock forum, everybody remembers that not so favorably. I have many enemies who dislikes me on forums, but he does too it seems. And since he already made those "Get rich quick with stock video" tutorial videos, he had to advertise "$348/hr" when in reality probably majority of people who try doing stock videos end up making less than minimum wage especially since Shutterstock started the video subs in 2020.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 21:15
Quote from: RalfLiebhold on July 04, 2023, 21:02
Thank you, now I have finally understood your argumentation.
But Doug's hourly wage is still not wrong, he just defined the conditions differently than you or others and explained it the same way.
Now I can go to sleep calmly ;D
Again, if you agree that Jensen's hourly earnings are correct, then you must also agree that mine are also correct, when I say ♾️/hour.
But Ralf, I think you could do better, if you would remember your Latin, because both claims are absurd.
Sweet dreams!
:)
Oh Zero, you are persistent. At no point did I say that I agree with Jensen's hourly wage or find it correct, but that it should not be called wrong under the given arguments.
Possible that these nuances only come out in my language.
Quote from: blvdone on July 04, 2023, 21:18
The point is, the vast majority of stock video contributors agree that his calculation of $348/hr is BS because we the professionals always calculate business expenses into account. And the way he was acting like arrogant bully on Shutterstock forum, everybody remembers that not so favorably. I have many enemies who dislikes me on forums, but he does too it seems. And since he already made those "Get rich quick with stock video" tutorial videos, he had to advertise "$348/hr" when in reality probably majority of people who try doing stock videos end up making less than minimum wage especially since Shutterstock started the video subs in 2020.
You're a liar. I challenge you to document a single time where I said stock was a way to "get rich quick". Just the opposite!!!! I tell people it takes hard work and a lot of time to build a portfolio that probably won't even pay anything back for months or years. I liken it to planting seeds and waiting for the harvest to come in. My message is that you can increase your odds of having a profitable "harvest" if you choose the right type kinds of seeds to plant, where to plant them, how to fertilize them, and more importantly how to drastically reduce the time and effort you put into your "farming". But no, it is not a scheme to get rich quick. And i have never said anything but that.
Quote from: RalfLiebhold on July 04, 2023, 21:26
Oh Zero, you are persistent. At no point did I say that I agree with Jensen's hourly wage or find it correct, but that it should not be called wrong under the given arguments.
Possible that these nuances only come out in my language.
Perhaps you can get No Talent to present us with his "approved" formula for measuring the financial success/failure for someone's stock footage business. I have tried to get it out of him, but he just wants to call names and throw rocks. Not one thing he has posted is helpful to the conversation. See if you can get him to give us his approved formula and I'll plug my numbers into and see where things stand. Good luck, though, because we both know he has no such formula. He's a troll, hiding behind a fake (but appropirate name) with nothing to contribute except animosity towards others.
Quote from: RalfLiebhold on July 04, 2023, 21:26
Oh Zero, you are persistent. At no point did I say that I agree with Jensen's hourly wage or find it correct, but that it should not be called wrong under the given arguments.
Possible that these nuances only come out in my language.
I'm sorry Ralf, we must have a language problem, indeed.
If something is not correct, then it is wrong.
"Wrong" and "correct" are antonyms.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 21:45
Quote from: RalfLiebhold on July 04, 2023, 21:26
Oh Zero, you are persistent. At no point did I say that I agree with Jensen's hourly wage or find it correct, but that it should not be called wrong under the given arguments.
Possible that these nuances only come out in my language.
Perhaps you can get No Talent to present us with his "approved" formula for measuring the financial success/failure for someone's stock footage business. I have tried to get it out of him, but he just wants to call names and throw rocks. Not one thing he has posted is helpful to the conversation. See if you can get him to give us his approved formula and I'll plug my numbers into and see where things stand. Good luck, though, because we both know he has no such formula. He's a troll, hiding behind a fake (but appropirate name) with nothing to contribute except animosity towards others.
You can't be further from the truth.
Fyi, excluding July, my all-time number is 36.9% higher than yours, and my combined photo + video port is probably 4 times smaller than yours.
And yet, I am not claiming that I am making 1,500/hour, when I account only for the time spent keywording.
I am simply making ♾️/hour, because that's how the silly "Jensen financials" work.
;)
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 04, 2023, 16:13
Quote from: Wilm on July 04, 2023, 11:58At least, that's how I see it with calculating the hourly rate. And stand by my statement that a calculation of 5 minutes per file is unrealistic from my point of view.
Yes, it might be unrealistic from your point of view because you do things differently than me. Obviously, you are welcome to do things anyway you want to, but that doesn't mean I can't do what I say I can do. I can't free-climb Half Dome in three hours or run a 100 meter dash under 10 seconds, but that doesn't mean other people can't do it.
Yes, I really can process 12 clip per hour (edit, grade, export, generate metadata, and upload) without batting an eye. Actually it is closer to three minutes, but I like to be conservative and say 5 minutes. How can I do it? Because I have a workflow and system in place that allows me to do it. And through my online master class and in-person workshops, I have taught hundreds of other people to use the exact same methods to speed up their workflow too. Here's a secret: The less time I spend creating my content, the more money I earn per hour of my time. It is that simple. If someone can cut their time to create content in half, they have instantly doubled their hourly income. It is as simple as that.
Some contributors are like a cobbler working in their little home workshop to create a perfect pair of shoes by hand. While other people, like myself have more of an assembly line approach where speed and efficiency are king. You might be building a house with a pocket full of nails and a hammer, while I'm using a high-powered nail gun to get the same job done faster. You might be an author banging away on a manual typewriter, while I'm cruising along with a word processor to get the same work done in a fraction of the time.
Why is it that people can't understand that workflow, and the tools we use, actually matter to the bottom line? And that someone else may have a better way of getting the job done.
May I ask what software you use to edit, grade, export, and upload?
May I ask how you generate and manage your vast library metadata, and how you use are able to use older metadate to automate the creation of metadata for new clips?
May I ask how you shoot your footage and what tools you use onboard your camera, and during ingest, that will make you more efficient in post?
Doug,
we've been through this too. At the time, you insisted that there was no money to be made with pictures, only with videos. From that discussion, you must remember that I don't offer videos. So I can't answer the last part of your question.
My average earnings per image are about $125, but that can't be compared to you because I've been around a lot longer than you.
As for the hourly rate, I come up with different numbers because I calculate it differently than you do. We've been through this too, but the amount of time per image varies a lot for me. My lucky shot made me an hourly wage of about $8,000. But I also have many images that have had tens of hours go into them that have not made me a dollar.
However I calculate it, I've never managed 5 minutes per picture.
The least amount of time, on average, is in the photos. Depending on the subject, just pressing the shutter where I was. Or setting up a tripod, making sure the lighting is right, shooting for maybe 30 minutes, post-processing, tagging, uploading, saving data...that was a bit more time.
The vectors took more time on average because I often made sketches beforehand.
And most of the time went into 3D renderings.
My calculated hourly wage is in any case significantly lower than yours. Considerably lower! Because the images didn't fall from the sky - I had to create them. This time of creating them was fun. But this time still is part of my calculation. And that is the main difference to your calculation.
I upload jpg files including IPTC data. When uploading to AS it still takes some extra time to take care of the most important keywords (which usually costs some more minutes).
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 21:15
Again, if you agree that Jensen's hourly earnings are correct, then you must also agree that mine are also correct, when I say ♾️/hour.
But Ralf, I think you could do better, if you would remember your Latin, because both claims are absurd.
Sweet dreams!
:)
Dougs calculations can make sense under certain conditions.
Let's say you are taking pictures or videos just as a hobby and are just returning from a cruise to Anarctica and Patagonia where you took a lot of great pictures of penguins, albatrosses, orcas, icebergs, mountains and whatnot.
Now someone tells you that you can earn money by offering those pictures at agencies on the Internet.
Then you can try to calculate whether the money you can earn is worth your time to process, keyword and upload the pictures. You don't have to take into account the time it took to take pictures, because you already have the pictures and you will probably never earn enough to cover the costs of your trip anyway.
If you are doing this as a business, you cannot calculate that way, though. Even if you enjoy every aspect of the work, even the keywording. Because the day has only so many hours and even if you enjoy yourself the whole time you need to make a certain amount of money per hour to cover your expanses and the cost of living. Otherwise, you cannot do it as a business, at least not without other sources of money.
This thread is an embarassment and so pre-pubescent.
Quote from: Wilm on July 04, 2023, 22:24
My calculated hourly wage is in any case significantly lower than yours. Considerably lower! Because the images didn't fall from the sky - I had to create them. This time of creating them was fun. But this time still is part of my calculation. And that is the main difference to your calculation.
Wim, thanks for the explanation and glimpse into your way of doing stock. There are many ways to skin a cat and how we judge the results.
Quote from: Big Toe on July 04, 2023, 22:56
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 21:15
Again, if you agree that Jensen's hourly earnings are correct, then you must also agree that mine are also correct, when I say ♾️/hour.
But Ralf, I think you could do better, if you would remember your Latin, because both claims are absurd.
Sweet dreams!
:)
Dougs calculations can make sense under certain conditions.
Let's say you are taking pictures or videos just as a hobby and are just returning from a cruise to Anarctica and Patagonia where you took a lot of great pictures of penguins, albatrosses, orcas, icebergs, mountains and whatnot.
Now someone tells you that you can earn money by offering those pictures at agencies on the Internet.
Then you can try to calculate whether the money you can earn is worth your time to process, keyword and upload the pictures. You don't have to take into account the time it took to take pictures, because you already have the pictures and you will probably never earn enough to cover the costs of your trip anyway.
If you are doing this as a business, you cannot calculate that way, though. Even if you enjoy every aspect of the work, even the keywording. Because the day has only so many hours and even you enjoy yourself the whole time you need to make a certain amount of money per hour to cover your expanses and the cost of living. Otherwise, you cannot do it as a business, at least not without other sources of money.
Exactly right. You have summed up my position very well. I don't understand why it gets people pissed off if I don't include my time shooting. Who wants to punch a clock?
Quote from: Big Toe on July 04, 2023, 22:56
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 21:15
Again, if you agree that Jensen's hourly earnings are correct, then you must also agree that mine are also correct, when I say ♾️/hour.
But Ralf, I think you could do better, if you would remember your Latin, because both claims are absurd.
Sweet dreams!
:)
Dougs calculations can make sense under certain conditions.
Let's say you are taking pictures or videos just as a hobby and are just returning from a cruise to Anarctica and Patagonia where you took a lot of great pictures of penguins, albatrosses, orcas, icebergs, mountains and whatnot.
Now someone tells you that you can earn money by offering those pictures at agencies on the Internet.
Then you can try to calculate whether the money you can earn is worth your time to process, keyword and upload the pictures. You don't have to take into account the time it took to take pictures, because you already have the pictures and you will probably never earn enough to cover the costs of your trip anyway.
If you are doing this as a business, you cannot calculate that way, though. Even if you enjoy every aspect of the work, even the keywording. Because the day has only so many hours and even if you enjoy yourself the whole time you need to make a certain amount of money per hour to cover your expanses and the cost of living. Otherwise, you cannot do it as a business, at least not without other sources of money.
Sure thing.
Then my ♾️/hour stands correct, since almost all my photos and videos are made while on vacation, or on trips paid by my company, thus I had zero production costs.
And since I also enjoy keywording, not just shooting and processing, then I also have zero keywording costs.
This makes my hourly rate ♾️/hour
Well, it looks like the UFOs have finally arrived, transported us back in time and landed us back in the old Shutterstock forum. The never-ending argument, Doug's hourly rate calculation. ;D
Welcome to MSG, Doug.
Quote from: Annie on July 04, 2023, 23:40
Well, it looks like the UFOs have finally arrived, transported us back in time and landed us back in the old Shutterstock forum. The never-ending argument, Doug's hourly rate calculation. ;D
Welcome to MSG, Doug.
Ha, ha. Hi Annie, it' good to know you are still around.
Welcome to MSG . . . and goodbye. This kind of crap isn't worth my time. I came by, made the little baby cry, and now I'll leave before he wants me to change his dirty diaper. I'll drop by next year to see them still bitching about Shutterstock and "the man" putting them down.
See ya.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 23:35
Sure thing.
Then my ♾️/hour stands correct, since almost all my photos and videos are made while on vacation, or on trips paid by my company, thus I had zero production costs.
And since I also enjoy keywording, not just shooting and processing, then I also have zero keywording costs.
This makes my hourly rate ♾️/hour
Well, I guess you can see it that way. I would question, though, whether it makes sense for you to calculate an hourly rate at all, since in your case, you seem to be enjoying windfall profits for basically doing nothing, similar to winning the lottery. You would not usually calculate an hourly rate for that either.
Quote from: Big Toe on July 05, 2023, 01:17
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 23:35
Sure thing.
Then my ♾️/hour stands correct, since almost all my photos and videos are made while on vacation, or on trips paid by my company, thus I had zero production costs.
And since I also enjoy keywording, not just shooting and processing, then I also have zero keywording costs.
This makes my hourly rate ♾️/hour
Well, I guess you can see it that way. I would question, though, whether it makes sense for you to calculate an hourly rate at all, since in your case, you seem to be enjoying windfall profits for basically doing nothing, similar to winning the lottery. You would not usually calculate an hourly rate for that either.
Not really, I am not doing "nothing", I am spending TIME on this lucrative hobby. But time is not free. Time is money.
Time may be taken away from doing some even more lucrative business.
Or from learning a new skill than may pay back much more in the future.
Or simply, time is taken away from the family. I am sure that many of us know well how many times our partners were upset with the amount of time we spent on this passion.
Not accounting for ALL the time spent doing this work, while claiming that money is falling from the sky at a rate of $348/hour (only to impress people), because only the keywording time matters, is a fallacy.
Anyway, it will be also interesting to see a tax return from Mr. Jensen, to understand if he truly claimed zero expenses, for this business. I have my doubts here, but even so, what I said above remains a fact: time is money.
Anyway, happy to report that today I had my best-ever sale at micros which coincidentally was at SS and not Alamy or Robert Harding.
Probably just got lucky here but there appears to be some life left in this industry.
Any reasonable contributor would laugh at what Doug says...
- 5 minutes to colour-grade the quality video, provide metadata and upload/submit
- 348$ per hour earning rate
- not including travel and fuel costs in the calculation.
C'mon, guys, why are you splitting hairs and dealing with semantics when such BS is being shovelled right in front of you?
It defies logic and experience on such a spectacular level that even the discussion about it should seem preposterous.
He's trying again to sell courses - fine by me, but not at the expense of gaslighting contributors into believing such outlandish claims.
Quote from: Brasilnut on July 05, 2023, 13:24
Probably just got lucky here but there appears to be some life left in this industry.
Congrats Alex, but probably the wrong thread! lol
Quote from: Elijah on July 05, 2023, 13:44
Any reasonable contributor would laugh at what Doug says...
- 5 minutes to colour-grade the quality video, provide metadata and upload/submit
- 348$ per hour earning rate
- not including travel and fuel costs in the calculation.
C'mon, guys, why are you splitting hairs and dealing with semantics when such BS is being shovelled right in front of you?
It defies logic and experience on such a spectacular level that even the discussion about it should seem preposterous.
He's trying again to sell courses - fine by me, but not at the expense of gaslighting contributors into believing such outlandish claims.
Exactly. It's ridiculous to make $348/hr claim. It's disingenuous at least to make such a bogus claim to unsuspecting newbies. It's laughable. lol In reality, many people in the industry knows it can often end up less than minimum wage per hour after 3, 4 years of low/no sales.
(https://i.imgflip.com/7rlaze.jpg)
Quote from: Doug Jensen on July 05, 2023, 00:22
I came by, made the little baby cry, and now I'll leave before he wants me to change his dirty diaper.
Seriously Doug... this is the level you expect us to go down to?
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 05, 2023, 03:07
Quote from: Big Toe on July 05, 2023, 01:17
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 04, 2023, 23:35
Sure thing.
Then my ♾️/hour stands correct, since almost all my photos and videos are made while on vacation, or on trips paid by my company, thus I had zero production costs.
And since I also enjoy keywording, not just shooting and processing, then I also have zero keywording costs.
This makes my hourly rate ♾️/hour
Well, I guess you can see it that way. I would question, though, whether it makes sense for you to calculate an hourly rate at all, since in your case, you seem to be enjoying windfall profits for basically doing nothing, similar to winning the lottery. You would not usually calculate an hourly rate for that either.
Not really, I am not doing "nothing", I am spending TIME on this lucrative hobby. But time is not free. Time is money.
Time may be taken away from doing some even more lucrative business.
Or from learning a new skill than may pay back much more in the future.
Or simply, time is taken away from the family. I am sure that many of us know well how many times our partners were upset with the amount of time we spent on this passion.
Now, what could possibly be more lucrative than an infinite amount of money per hour?
You cannot have it both ways. Either you are doing stock photos because it is what you love, without financial considerations and then what does it matter that something else would earn you more money, when it is just a hobby?
Or else, you do stock fotografy, or at least parts of it for the money and then you can calculate your earning per hour, either considering all time invested or only the time you would invest anyway, if you would not earn anything, because it is your hobby.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 05, 2023, 03:07
Not accounting for ALL the time spent doing this work, while claiming that money is falling from the sky at a rate of $348/hour (only to impress people), because only the keywording time matters, is a fallacy.
Anyway, it will be also interesting to see a tax return from Mr. Jensen, to understand if he truly claimed zero expenses, for this business. I have my doubts here, but even so, what I said above remains a fact: time is money.
Allt hat being said, the $348/hour is a different story. Even if we accept the premises for the calculations, I have some trouble believing the claim that Doug can process and keyword a file in five minutes. But that is a different issue.
Quote from: Big Toe on July 05, 2023, 15:55
Now, what could possibly be more lucrative than an infinite amount of money per hour?
You cannot have it both ways. Either you are doing stock photos because it is what you love, without financial considerations and then what does it matter that something else would earn you more money, when it is just a hobby?
Obviously that's absurd. It is a logical tool used to prove that the Jensen hypothesis is flawed.
My point is that Time is never free. Time costs money even when you do something you enjoy.
Time is probably our most expensive resource, and it must be accounted for.
Think about this:
Would you swap your life with Warren Buffet - one of the richest and most respected people in the world?
Or with a person with only 100 USD in her/his pocket?
Buffet is 92. The poor person is 18.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 05, 2023, 16:11
Quote from: Big Toe on July 05, 2023, 15:55
Now, what could possibly be more lucrative than an infinite amount of money per hour?
You cannot have it both ways. Either you are doing stock photos because it is what you love, without financial considerations and then what does it matter that something else would earn you more money, when it is just a hobby?
Obviously that's absurd. It is a logical tool used to prove that the Jensen hypothesis is flawed.
My point is that Time is never free. Time costs money even when you do something you enjoy.
Time is probably our most expensive resource, and it must be accounted for.
Think about this:
Would you swap your life with Warren Buffet - one of the richest and most respected people in the world?
Or with a person with only 100 USD in her/his pocket?
Buffet is 92. The poor person is 18.
Doesn't your example show the opposite of what you claim? Obviously, there is no equivalency between money and time.
Buffet cannot buy himself more time with his money (or only to a limited degree with better healthcare) and the 18 year old person cannot necessarily monetize the years they have ahead of them.
Quote from: Big Toe on July 05, 2023, 17:01
Doesn't your example show the opposite of what you claim? Obviously, there is no equivalency between money and time.
Buffet cannot buy himself more time with his money (or only to a limited degree with better healthcare) and the 18 year old person cannot necessarily monetize the years they have ahead of them.
No it doesn't. If you consider Time as being free, meaning no Time is factored in the equation, then you have something divided by zero, in other words the absurdity of ♾️.
Or $348 as per "Jensen's financials", when you only consider 5 minutes for keywording, without considering the Time for planning, shooting, processing, etc.
Obviously, when you factor all this missed Time, then the infamous $348/hour will fall down fast to realistic values.
Playing games, because you enjoy gaming, is not free. You could use that Time to shoot and process clips, for example.
So playing games for fun, is depriving you of that revenue, costing you the money you missed.
You should always treat Time as a valuable resource, which is never free. This why we have the expression "wasting Time".
Those who chose the 18 years old option are evaluating Time at more than $110 Billions (Buffet's worth) / 74 years difference/ 365 days per year / 24 hours per day = ~$170k/hour >> $0/hour
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 05, 2023, 17:38
Quote from: Big Toe on July 05, 2023, 17:01
Doesn't your example show the opposite of what you claim? Obviously, there is no equivalency between money and time.
Buffet cannot buy himself more time with his money (or only to a limited degree with better healthcare) and the 18 year old person cannot necessarily monetize the years they have ahead of them.
No it doesn't. If you consider Time as being free, meaning no Time is factored in the equation, then you have something divided by zero, in other words the absurdity of ♾️.
Or $348 as per "Jensen's financials", when you only consider 5 minutes for keywording, without considering the Time for planning, shooting, processing, etc.
Obviously, when you factor all this missed Time, then the infamous $348/hour will fall down fast to realistic values.
Playing games, because you enjoy gaming, is not free. You could use that Time to shoot and process clips, for example.
So playing games for fun, is depriving you of that revenue, costing you the money you missed.
You should always treat Time as a valuable resource, which is never free. This why we have the expression "wasting Time".
Those who chose the 18 years old option are evaluating Time at more than $110 Billions (Buffet's worth) / 74 years difference/ 365 days per year / 24 hours per day = ~$170k/hour >> $0/hour
Not necessarily. If you work from 9 to 5, you have an hourly wage right (probably a monthly salary but still).
Then you have to commute to work. One takes ten minutes, the other two hours. This time is not factored in. Then you probably drink coffee in the morning, you take a shower (who wants to smell when getting at work?). You eat breakfast because you need some energy to do your work. You sleep during the night to be able to do your work the next day.
So it can be quite arbitrarily what you may count or not as being part of how much time it actually costs to make this hourly wage/monthly salary.
You count in this and that. Doug counts in this and that. You disagree but both of you are not wrong or right.
And in that sense Doug came out better asking you for your calculation with an open vision while you only ridiculed him and did not show how you would calculate stuff.
Quote from: SVH on July 05, 2023, 20:56
Not necessarily. If you work from 9 to 5, you have an hourly wage right (probably a monthly salary but still).
Then you have to commute to work. One takes ten minutes, the other two hours. This time is not factored in. Then you probably drink coffee in the morning, you take a shower (who wants to smell when getting at work?). You eat breakfast because you need some energy to do your work. You sleep during the night to be able to do your work the next day.
So it can be quite arbitrarily what you may count or not as being part of how much time it actually costs to make this hourly wage/monthly salary.
You count in this and that. Doug counts in this and that. You disagree but both of you are not wrong or right.
And in that sense Doug came out better asking you for your calculation with an open vision while you only ridiculed him and did not show how you would calculate stuff.
A realistic calculation, as several others have suggested, must be done like for a regular business, no matter if you may, or may not have fun doing that business (while wishing everybody to be lucky enough to also enjoy doing their main jobs, not just microstock)
Include the time spent planning, the time spent traveling (or a proportion of it), the time spent shooting, the time spent editing, storing the files, the time spent keywording, maintaining/upgrading your equipment, then deduct amortization and depreciation, and any other expenses, as indicated by the IRS rules (which, btw, are also allowing for some meal deductions, fyi), etc.
Basically talk to an accountant if all this feels overwhelming.
Only then you may arrive at the realistic hourly/rate, instead of that $348/hour non-sense based only on feelings, on fun or not fun. ::)
Btw, I didn't ridicule him. I simply proved him wrong.
I'm not sure what the fuss is about. I think Doug's earnings can be easily bumped up to 600$ per hour. Some examples.
- If the person immensely enjoys keywording, it's a passion, so why include it in calculations? Should be dropped off the list.
- Resubmitting AI rejections and regular rejections from other agencies is actually fun. Looking at this green bar moving while a file is being uploaded is tantalizing. In fact, resubmitting is such fun that deleting an asset and resubmitting it again is a legit passage of time. So again, why count resubmissions toward time spent?
- Enjoy scouting locations before shooting? (Some drone pros do that before shooting footage). Why count this towards your time if you would do this for fun anyway.
- The list is long. Love flying planes or driving across the country? Total fun, who doubts it? Travel photographers can take it off the list.
- Need to buy SD cards and external disks? Spending money is fun, no need to include it. That's why people enjoy shopping on the weekends.
- Keeping up with backups of your footage and copying stuff over to external devices? Again, this is fun, people do it just out of passion for backups.
- Paying for stock submitter for multiple uploads? Love it! Charging multiple batteries? Fun! Oh, almost forgot.... the wonders of maintaining equipment. It's a dream come true.
And don't forget the spiritual aspect of it - laughing all the way to the bank is a liberating and enlightening experience.
There is literally an unlimited potential for inflating your earnings by excluding fun things. Give Doug some slack, he is pretty conservative with his exclusion list.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 05, 2023, 21:43
Btw, I didn't ridicule him. I simply proved him wrong.
I see no problem with ridiculing and lighthearted fun. After all, if we are being gaslighted it justifies a little pushback.
Quote from: Zero Talent on July 05, 2023, 15:45
(https://i.imgflip.com/7rlaze.jpg)
The last time I saw Jeniffer she didn't look like the photo on the right, close, but not exactly. So that means that Doug is right because this statement is false :)
Quote from: SVH on July 06, 2023, 16:36
The last time I saw Jeniffer she didn't look like the photo on the right, close, but not exactly. So that means that Doug is right because this statement is false :)
Here you go, show us more of your meme analysis skills:
(https://i.postimg.cc/dtntymLW/Screenshot-20230706-123109-Chrome.jpg)
;)
I recently found an image of mine on Shutterstock being offered as a "Free Download." I NEVER authorized this. I deleted all my images then and there. It was already not what it used to be since they messed with the forum. They can bite me.
8)
Looking for alternatives am looking for alternatives. Has anyone tried Art Storefronts? If so what has your experience been? Is it worth the money?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Interviewer: Good to catch up with you again DJ so since SSs new payment tier system and the introduction of A.I. and free give aways, have you found that your bottom line has moved south at all.
DJ For sure but you know because I listen to my own advice ... via my online course ... I have managed to diversify to soften the blow. And my average income from stock is a modest $348.00 per hour.
Interviewer Only Fans right?
DJ *smirk ... feetfinder ... bunions and calves like canned corned beef next to a bar fire, who knew.
Interviewer Before you discovered your new audience what kept the money rolling in?
DJ Well it was being modest and quietly humble. I think having someone to look up to in the industry really was what saw my meteoric rise in popularity with the gullible iPhone owners of Bangladesh struggling through their formative years. And of course they saw a famous, rich, videographer who's talent bordered on prodigy and yeah, they thought collectively, they wanted some of that. Of course I was duty bound then to rise to the heights of the pedestal everyone I had ever met put me on. And I exceeded their expectations. Obviously. I taught them they needed three things to equal my success.
1. My course.
2. State of the art computer.
3. A Shutterstock profile.
That's it.
Interviewer What about a camera?
DJ I don't count that because I already had a camera.
Interviewer A camera set-up worth in excess of $60,000.00+ bucks.
DJ Whinging about equipment wastes my time. If you want to be a successful stock videographer then you'll buy professional equipment but not before you've bought my course.
Interviewer You've also got access to regular rocket launches and regularly film and TV location contracts.
DJ Right and the money I make from stock footage is just stuff I would film anyway even if I didnt have those press passes and contracts. I would just do it from much, much, further away.
Interviewer Well thanks DJ it has been my honour to catch up.
DJ If anyone does want to change their life and become a less worthless human for once and excell please find my course at alphamalesnapper.com/ronburgundy and remember ... you're only one snap away ... ☝️😉 ... from the top.
Quote from: Lowls on July 07, 2023, 14:42
Interviewer: Good to catch up with you again DJ so since SSs new payment tier system and the introduction of A.I. and free give aways, have you found that your bottom line has moved south at all.
DJ For sure but you know because I listen to my own advice ... via my online course ... I have managed to diversify to soften the blow. And my average income from stock is a modest $348.00 per hour.
Interviewer Only Fans right?
DJ *smirk ... feetfinder ... bunions and calves like canned corned beef next to a bar fire, who knew.
Interviewer Before you discovered your new audience what kept the money rolling in?
DJ Well it was being modest and quietly humble. I think having someone to look up to in the industry really was what saw my meteoric rise in popularity with the gullible iPhone owners of Bangladesh struggling through their formative years. And of course they saw a famous, rich, videographer who's talent bordered on prodigy and yeah, they thought collectively, they wanted some of that. Of course I was duty bound then to rise to the heights of the pedestal everyone I had ever met put me on. And I exceeded their expectations. Obviously. I taught them they needed three things to equal my success.
1. My course.
2. State of the art computer.
3. A Shutterstock profile.
That's it.
Interviewer What about a camera?
DJ I don't count that because I already had a camera.
Interviewer A camera set-up worth in excess of $60,000.00+ bucks.
DJ Whinging about equipment wastes my time. If you want to be a successful stock videographer then you'll buy professional equipment but not before you've bought my course.
Interviewer You've also got access to regular rocket launches and regularly film and TV location contracts.
DJ Right and the money I make from stock footage is just stuff I would film anyway even if I didnt have those press passes and contracts. I would just do it from much, much, further away.
Interviewer Well thanks DJ it has been my honour to catch up.
DJ If anyone does want to change their life and become a less worthless human for once and excell please find my course at alphamalesnapper.com/ronburgundy and remember ... you're only one snap away ... ☝️😉 ... from the top.
LOL.
Quote from: stockman11 on June 23, 2023, 22:26
My SS earnings used to be 15x higher than now, and they just keep nosediving from month to month. Once a good earner, now abomination. Seems like it will join mid-tier agencies soon. Inexcusable.
During this same time, my Adobe Stock earnings has been growing, and Istock has been consistent.
I'm considering to start treating SS like the other mid-tier agencies and completely stop uploading there.
According to the earnings rating, Adobe is double SS.
Quote from: Diana Herrmann on July 25, 2023, 14:46
Quote from: stockman11 on June 23, 2023, 22:26
My SS earnings used to be 15x higher than now, and they just keep nosediving from month to month. Once a good earner, now abomination. Seems like it will join mid-tier agencies soon. Inexcusable.
During this same time, my Adobe Stock earnings has been growing, and Istock has been consistent.
I'm considering to start treating SS like the other mid-tier agencies and completely stop uploading there.
According to the earnings rating, Adobe is double SS.
AdobeStock 74.4
Shutterstock 35.2 (roughly $75 a month for the best people who volunteer to take the poll)
Dreamstime 3
iStock 29
Alamy 10
Deposit 2.8
Bigstock 2.5
I'm small time and used to make, on average, $100 a month on SSTK. Same images and more, some months just over $10 but on average is closer to $25. Keep in mind, the
on average part. The only thing that props up SSTK is an occasional $50 sale, the rest are dimes.
AS now a consistent $50 a month. AS 979 images, SS 5,429 images. Yes they are in many instances different images, because of what each agency accepts. DT? HA! :-X A cross of images that are on AS and SS and it's taking years to reach the $100 to decide if I want to continue or drop them. Alamy pays 20% now and iStock actually trudges on, slow but steady.
Joining more agencies is not my answer. Working for the ones that pay and ignoring the bottom feeders and parasites, is my way to distribute. No reason to get so desperate for cheap pay, that will never grow or amount to anything significant. There is no Mid-Tier anymore. Barely a handful of
good agencies, ($50 a month) and all the rest are low earners or low value.
Dump the chumps, work the ones that pay best. 8)
Quote from: Elijah on July 05, 2023, 13:44
He's trying again to sell courses - fine by me, but not at the expense of gaslighting contributors into believing such outlandish claims.
That's not the only thing he makes outrageous claims about. On the old SS forum, he stated that I didn't have any experience selling stock videos. I'm sorry but that is complete nonsense. I was selling stock videos on SS long before he joined that now extinct forum. And I had also sold videos through P5 as well.
Despite Doug Jenson's lies, I think I did okay with such a small video port on SS. In actual fact, it sounded like I did better than him when he first started on SS. In the beginning, I made three video sales from a port of 35 videos. I recall Doug saying that had about 200 videos or so when he first started on SS and made less sales than I did. Later on, I doubled the size of my video port and that effectively doubled my video sales.
Best month of the year on SS thanks to several good single sales,so a much better month than AS,i earned more than double on SS compared to AS this month.
Also on Depositphotos i had good sales this month,maybe this is due to the fact that i recently resumed uploading on DP after a break of a couple of years.
I just noticed that I have not had any OD sales since the middle of May. About 5% of my sales used to be OD's, but now there are none.
Have others noticed the same trend?
Quote from: Jens G on August 04, 2023, 12:58
I just noticed that I have not had any OD sales since the middle of May. About 5% of my sales used to be OD's, but now there are none.
Have others noticed the same trend?
Just checked my last 3 month - about 1 in 40 sales was OD, that rate is decreasing for me too.
see these two screenshots ⬇️
No reply even after many emails and 19 days ?? my account has not been activated even after proofs ?
i emailed them multiple times and with different E-mail address also. now they are not responding.
I think my account was deleted by Shutterstock on the first day without any valid reason. They are not responding, and it seems they cannot recover it. Do you consider this to be Shutterstock's fraud? What do you think?
what should i do now ?
Quote from: [email protected] on August 05, 2023, 22:07
see these two screenshots ⬇️
No reply even after many emails and 19 days ?? my account has not been activated even after proofs ?
i emailed them multiple times and with different E-mail address also. now they are not responding.
I think my account was deleted by Shutterstock on the first day without any valid reason. They are not responding, and it seems they cannot recover it. Do you consider this to be Shutterstock's fraud? What do you think?
what should i do now ?
Wait?
Quote from: Uncle Pete on August 06, 2023, 16:57
Quote from: [email protected] on August 05, 2023, 22:07
see these two screenshots ⬇️
No reply even after many emails and 19 days ?? my account has not been activated even after proofs ?
i emailed them multiple times and with different E-mail address also. now they are not responding.
I think my account was deleted by Shutterstock on the first day without any valid reason. They are not responding, and it seems they cannot recover it. Do you consider this to be Shutterstock's fraud? What do you think?
what should i do now ?
Wait?
You've redacted the software you used from your screenshot, but if it's Midjourney, or other AI, then that's your problem.
Quote from: KuriousKat on August 06, 2023, 19:09
Quote from: Uncle Pete on August 06, 2023, 16:57
Quote from: [email protected] on August 05, 2023, 22:07
see these two screenshots ⬇️
No reply even after many emails and 19 days ?? my account has not been activated even after proofs ?
i emailed them multiple times and with different E-mail address also. now they are not responding.
I think my account was deleted by Shutterstock on the first day without any valid reason. They are not responding, and it seems they cannot recover it. Do you consider this to be Shutterstock's fraud? What do you think?
what should i do now ?
Wait?
You've redacted the software you used from your screenshot, but if it's Midjourney, or other AI, then that's your problem.
that's not the problem,
they have deactivated my account due to copyright issue, that I have uploaded on adobe
Quote from: Uncle Pete on August 06, 2023, 16:57
Quote from: [email protected] on August 05, 2023, 22:07
see these two screenshots ⬇️
No reply even after many emails and 19 days ?? my account has not been activated even after proofs ?
i emailed them multiple times and with different E-mail address also. now they are not responding.
I think my account was deleted by Shutterstock on the first day without any valid reason. They are not responding, and it seems they cannot recover it. Do you consider this to be Shutterstock's fraud? What do you think?
what should i do now ?
Wait?
but they are not replying, if had any problem with my content they would at least tell me as before
I would wait until the Compliance team has reached a final verdict. If the proof you submitted is ok, your account will be reinstated. It's not useful and possibly counter-productive to keep spamming them for a reaction.
Quote from: dtemm12390 on August 06, 2023, 21:05
Quote from: KuriousKat on August 06, 2023, 19:09
Quote from: Uncle Pete on August 06, 2023, 16:57
Quote from: [email protected] on August 05, 2023, 22:07
see these two screenshots ⬇️
No reply even after many emails and 19 days ?? my account has not been activated even after proofs ?
i emailed them multiple times and with different E-mail address also. now they are not responding.
I think my account was deleted by Shutterstock on the first day without any valid reason. They are not responding, and it seems they cannot recover it. Do you consider this to be Shutterstock's fraud? What do you think?
what should i do now ?
Wait?
You've redacted the software you used from your screenshot, but if it's Midjourney, or other AI, then that's your problem.
that's not the problem,
they have deactivated my account due to copyright issue, that I have uploaded on adobe
It was just a thought, as Adobe take AI content, but Shutterstock won't take it because of copyright issues. If it's AI, then the removal of your account for copright reasons make sense.
Quote from: KuriousKat on August 07, 2023, 13:45
Quote from: dtemm12390 on August 06, 2023, 21:05
Quote from: KuriousKat on August 06, 2023, 19:09
Quote from: Uncle Pete on August 06, 2023, 16:57
Quote from: [email protected] on August 05, 2023, 22:07
see these two screenshots ⬇️
No reply even after many emails and 19 days ?? my account has not been activated even after proofs ?
i emailed them multiple times and with different E-mail address also. now they are not responding.
I think my account was deleted by Shutterstock on the first day without any valid reason. They are not responding, and it seems they cannot recover it. Do you consider this to be Shutterstock's fraud? What do you think?
what should i do now ?
Wait?
You've redacted the software you used from your screenshot, but if it's Midjourney, or other AI, then that's your problem.
that's not the problem,
they have deactivated my account due to copyright issue, that I have uploaded on adobe
It was just a thought, as Adobe take AI content, but Shutterstock won't take it because of copyright issues. If it's AI, then the removal of your account for copright reasons make sense.
I have uploaded on both since last 3 years when AI generation was not much popular, I upload as illustration and it is very difficult to tell if it is AI generated as it looks like illustration and edited completely, this is not the same as the image generated by Midjourney etc, thats the reason why my images approved,
even I never used ai geneted term in title on adobe, shutter, because it not completely ai generated
Quote from: dtemm12390 on August 07, 2023, 18:07
Quote from: KuriousKat on August 07, 2023, 13:45
Quote from: dtemm12390 on August 06, 2023, 21:05
Quote from: KuriousKat on August 06, 2023, 19:09
Quote from: Uncle Pete on August 06, 2023, 16:57
Quote from: [email protected] on August 05, 2023, 22:07
see these two screenshots ⬇️
No reply even after many emails and 19 days ?? my account has not been activated even after proofs ?
i emailed them multiple times and with different E-mail address also. now they are not responding.
I think my account was deleted by Shutterstock on the first day without any valid reason. They are not responding, and it seems they cannot recover it. Do you consider this to be Shutterstock's fraud? What do you think?
what should i do now ?
Wait?
You've redacted the software you used from your screenshot, but if it's Midjourney, or other AI, then that's your problem.
that's not the problem,
they have deactivated my account due to copyright issue, that I have uploaded on adobe
It was just a thought, as Adobe take AI content, but Shutterstock won't take it because of copyright issues. If it's AI, then the removal of your account for copright reasons make sense.
I have uploaded on both since last 3 years when AI generation was not much popular, I upload as illustration and it is very difficult to tell if it is AI generated as it looks like illustration and edited completely, this is not the same as the image generated by Midjourney etc, thats the reason why my images approved,
even I never used ai geneted term in title on adobe, shutter, because it not completely ai generated
But if it's partially AI generated, then you can't submit it to Shutterstock due to their decision not to accept AI generated content. If you broke the rules then this will be why they closed your account.
Content Submissions
Please note: Intentionally submitting content to which you do not own copyright or submitting content that infringes on the copyright of another artist will lead to immediate account termination.
Submitting content that infringes on the rights of any person. Including directly copying or excessive inspiration from work to which you do not own the copyright.
This exactly is what AI does!
But they take ai images that are generated by their own ai generator. Look through the collection, there is a lot of ai content that is labelled as ai generated.
I guess the difference is it was done on their own engine which is trained on legally licensed content.
https://www.shutterstock.com/de/search/people-cooking?image_type=generated (https://www.shutterstock.com/de/search/people-cooking?image_type=generated)
https://www.shutterstock.com/de/image-generated/arabic-domestic-kitchen-people-cooking-traditional-2264280661 (https://www.shutterstock.com/de/image-generated/arabic-domestic-kitchen-people-cooking-traditional-2264280661)
30 000 ai generated people keyword images
https://www.shutterstock.com/de/search/people?image_type=generated (https://www.shutterstock.com/de/search/people?image_type=generated)
https://www.shutterstock.com/de/image-generated/close-photo-person-pink-hair-ross-2285217411 (https://www.shutterstock.com/de/image-generated/close-photo-person-pink-hair-ross-2285217411)
https://www.shutterstock.com/de/image-generated/close-photo-3-different-photos-same-2295188063 (https://www.shutterstock.com/de/image-generated/close-photo-3-different-photos-same-2295188063)
They also always show the prompt used
The "artist" is the Shutterstock generator.
But so far producers cannot upload ai content.
eta:
an image of Donald Duck
https://www.shutterstock.com/de/image-generated/donald-duck-white-3d-very-happy-2240528003 (https://www.shutterstock.com/de/image-generated/donald-duck-white-3d-very-happy-2240528003)
guess noone is checking these files for copyright problems
Quote from: cobalt on August 07, 2023, 23:18
But they take ai images that are generated by their own ai generator. Look through the collection, there is a lot of ai content that is labelled as ai generated.
I guess the difference is it was done on their own engine which is trained on legally licensed content.
Except for all the stolen stuff on Shutterstock, which is a bit of a fly in the 'legally licensed' ointment. Still, I believe they make a guarantee to their customers, so they are obviously happy to take that risk.
I wonder if this is the grand plan. Not taking ai from contributors, but letting the customers prompt and create an ai collection for them.
Producer content then fill the data collection and the normal stock sales become the side show.
Some of those prompts are really well written, you can tell they come from art directors and media pros.
The customers brain basically becomes the prompting ai.
Or maybe add a prompt army from a low wage country.
Will be interesting to watch what they do.
Quote from: cobalt on August 07, 2023, 23:18
But they take ai images that are generated by their own ai generator. Look through the collection, there is a lot of ai content that is labelled as ai generated.
I guess the difference is it was done on their own engine which is trained on legally licensed content....
i had ai content accepted before the rule change
but when i asked if i could with images from their generator, they said 'no'. (maybe you can't submit made with their gen but DL & modified)
Quote from: dtemm12390 on August 06, 2023, 21:05
Quote from: KuriousKat on August 06, 2023, 19:09
Quote from: Uncle Pete on August 06, 2023, 16:57
Quote from: [email protected] on August 05, 2023, 22:07
see these two screenshots ⬇️
No reply even after many emails and 19 days ?? my account has not been activated even after proofs ?
i emailed them multiple times and with different E-mail address also. now they are not responding.
I think my account was deleted by Shutterstock on the first day without any valid reason. They are not responding, and it seems they cannot recover it. Do you consider this to be Shutterstock's fraud? What do you think?
what should i do now ?
Wait?
You've redacted the software you used from your screenshot, but if it's Midjourney, or other AI, then that's your problem.
that's not the problem,
they have deactivated my account due to copyright issue, that I have uploaded on adobe
I saw that and it sure looks unusual that they would close your account for uploading your own images. I would think that instead of telling you it was copyright infringement and as others have suggested, AI, then they should tell you that, not some vague claim against you personally.
Good Luck.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on August 08, 2023, 21:26
Quote from: dtemm12390 on August 06, 2023, 21:05
Quote from: KuriousKat on August 06, 2023, 19:09
Quote from: Uncle Pete on August 06, 2023, 16:57
Quote from: [email protected] on August 05, 2023, 22:07
see these two screenshots ⬇️
No reply even after many emails and 19 days ?? my account has not been activated even after proofs ?
i emailed them multiple times and with different E-mail address also. now they are not responding.
I think my account was deleted by Shutterstock on the first day without any valid reason. They are not responding, and it seems they cannot recover it. Do you consider this to be Shutterstock's fraud? What do you think?
what should i do now ?
Wait?
You've redacted the software you used from your screenshot, but if it's Midjourney, or other AI, then that's your problem.
that's not the problem,
they have deactivated my account due to copyright issue, that I have uploaded on adobe
I saw that and it sure looks unusual that they would close your account for uploading your own images. I would think that instead of telling you it was copyright infringement and as others have suggested, AI, then they should tell you that, not some vague claim against you personally.
Good Luck.
there is nothing can i do now for it ?
I am happy to report I have now crossed the quarter million dollar earnings threshold at Shutterstock.
That's an average of $27.06 per download.
That's an average of $23.80 per video in my portfolio.
The earnings just keep rolling in.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on April 30, 2024, 21:57
I am happy to report I have now crossed the quarter million dollar earnings threshold at Shutterstock.
That's an average of $27.06 per download.
That's an average of $23.80 per video in my portfolio.
The earnings just keep rolling in.
Fantastic results though I see 227 would it be 250 to make quarter million?
Ha, ha! You're right. Oh well, I better use a calculator next time.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on April 30, 2024, 21:57
I am happy to report I have now crossed the quarter million dollar earnings threshold at Shutterstock.
That's an average of $27.06 per download.
That's an average of $23.80 per video in my portfolio.
The earnings just keep rolling in.
How many images you have in your Port?
9562 clips. ($23.80 x 9562 = $227,575)
0 photos.
Let's see if you can still do it in 2024.
Do what? I have sales every day.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on April 30, 2024, 23:08
Do what? I have sales every day.
Reaching the $250,000 - that's what I meant. Or will you manage the 828 statistically missing downloads within two or three months? I don't know how long you've been at it.
Okay, I understand now. No, I doubt I will hit $250K lifetime earnings this year at Shutterstock. But in 2025 for sure. Shutterstock is slipping lately so probably won't make another $23K in 2024. Fortunately, Adobe is rising to take up the slack.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on April 30, 2024, 23:55
Okay, I understand now. No, I doubt I will hit $250K lifetime earnings this year at Shutterstock. But in 2025 for sure. Shutterstock is slipping lately so probably won't make another $23K in 2024. Fortunately, Adobe is rising to take up the slack.
Yes Adobe is doing really well. Is Adobe earnings surpassing Shutterstock earnings on a monthly basis for you now?
like many,I know you from the days of the SS forum,excellent work,congratulations! :)
I don't think anyone who starts producing videos and uploading them to SS today,will ever be able to achieve these results.
I seem to remember that until a few years ago you used to make over $30k in a year.
luckily there is Adobe,otherwise microstock would have no future!
Quote from: Pacesetter on May 01, 2024, 00:12
Yes Adobe is doing really well. Is Adobe earnings surpassing Shutterstock earnings on a monthly basis for you now?
No, Adobe has not surpassed Shutterstock yet, but every month they come closer. However, I have about 3x more clips at Shutterstock right now, so if you divide the earnings by the size of the portfolio then Adobe might be doing the best statistically.
Quote from: Injustice for all on May 01, 2024, 00:14
like many,I know you from the days of the SS forum,excellent work,congratulations! :)
I don't think anyone who starts producing videos and uploading them to SS today,will ever be able to achieve these results.
I seem to remember that until a few years ago you used to make over $30k in a year.
luckily there is Adobe,otherwise microstock would have no future!
No, I'm not making $30K per year at Shutterstock, but the earnings keep rolling in month after month with virtually no effort on my part. And quite a few newer clips that I've uploaded are making good money now. I have had a pretty busy last couple of years with regular work and have not had the time to upload very many new clips. I'm still out shooting regularly because I enjoy it, but doing the metadata is another story. I've got a backlog of about 5000 4K clips that are all edited and graded. Will I ever find time to do the metadata and get them earning some money for me? I don't know. Too busy with other work to even think about it right now. Metadata is the bane of my existence. It takes time to do it well, and if you don't take that time, then why upload at all? Without good metadata it is just a waste of time.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 01, 2024, 02:19
Quote from: Injustice for all on May 01, 2024, 00:14
like many,I know you from the days of the SS forum,excellent work,congratulations! :)
I don't think anyone who starts producing videos and uploading them to SS today,will ever be able to achieve these results.
I seem to remember that until a few years ago you used to make over $30k in a year.
luckily there is Adobe,otherwise microstock would have no future!
No, I'm not making $30K per year at Shutterstock, but the earnings keep rolling in month after month with virtually no effort on my part. And quite a few newer clips that I've uploaded are making good money now. I have had a pretty busy last couple of years with regular work and have not had the time to upload very many new clips. I'm still out shooting regularly because I enjoy it, but doing the metadata is another story. I've got a backlog of about 5000 4K clips that are all edited and graded. Will I ever find time to do the metadata and get them earning some money for me? I don't know. Too busy with other work to even think about it right now. Metadata is the bane of my existence. It takes time to do it well, and if you don't take that time, then why upload at all? Without good metadata it is just a waste of time.
Are you using any app for your metadata, if you don't mind me asking.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 01, 2024, 02:19
Quote from: Injustice for all on May 01, 2024, 00:14
like many,I know you from the days of the SS forum,excellent work,congratulations! :)
I don't think anyone who starts producing videos and uploading them to SS today,will ever be able to achieve these results.
I seem to remember that until a few years ago you used to make over $30k in a year.
luckily there is Adobe,otherwise microstock would have no future!
No, I'm not making $30K per year at Shutterstock, but the earnings keep rolling in month after month with virtually no effort on my part. And quite a few newer clips that I've uploaded are making good money now. I have had a pretty busy last couple of years with regular work and have not had the time to upload very many new clips. I'm still out shooting regularly because I enjoy it, but doing the metadata is another story. I've got a backlog of about 5000 4K clips that are all edited and graded. Will I ever find time to do the metadata and get them earning some money for me? I don't know. Too busy with other work to even think about it right now. Metadata is the bane of my existence. It takes time to do it well, and if you don't take that time, then why upload at all? Without good metadata it is just a waste of time.
ok,I thought I remembered a post on the old shutterstock forum,where you showed that for the first time you had reached $30K in a year,but if you say no then I remember wrong,maybe it was someone else.
however you have achieved incredible results,but well deserved,the work you did was extraordinary.
Yes i agree,metadata is as important as the content itself,perhaps even more important in some cases.
so in proportion you are earning more on Adobe,given that on SS you have 3 times more videos,interesting,this shows that even with videos Adobe has now surpassed even Shutterstock.
Quote from: Injustice for all on May 01, 2024, 09:43
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 01, 2024, 02:19
Quote from: Injustice for all on May 01, 2024, 00:14
like many,I know you from the days of the SS forum,excellent work,congratulations! :)
I don't think anyone who starts producing videos and uploading them to SS today,will ever be able to achieve these results.
I seem to remember that until a few years ago you used to make over $30k in a year.
luckily there is Adobe,otherwise microstock would have no future!
No, I'm not making $30K per year at Shutterstock, but the earnings keep rolling in month after month with virtually no effort on my part. And quite a few newer clips that I've uploaded are making good money now. I have had a pretty busy last couple of years with regular work and have not had the time to upload very many new clips. I'm still out shooting regularly because I enjoy it, but doing the metadata is another story. I've got a backlog of about 5000 4K clips that are all edited and graded. Will I ever find time to do the metadata and get them earning some money for me? I don't know. Too busy with other work to even think about it right now. Metadata is the bane of my existence. It takes time to do it well, and if you don't take that time, then why upload at all? Without good metadata it is just a waste of time.
ok,I thought I remembered a post on the old shutterstock forum,where you showed that for the first time you had reached $30K in a year,but if you say no then I remember wrong,maybe it was someone else.
however you have achieved incredible results,but well deserved,the work you did was extraordinary.
Yes i agree,metadata is as important as the content itself,perhaps even more important in some cases.
so in proportion you are earning more on Adobe,given that on SS you have 3 times more videos,interesting,this shows that even with videos Adobe has now surpassed even Shutterstock.
You probably remember correctly as I recall that too. If I'm not mistaken, I think Doug's response above refers to more recent and current yearly earnings where he no longer makes 30k a year on Shutterstock like he use to.
Quote from: Pacesetter on May 01, 2024, 10:33
If I'm not mistaken, I think Doug's response above refers to more recent and current yearly earnings where he no longer makes 30k a year on Shutterstock like he use to.
Yes, that is correct.
Quote from: Faustvasea on May 01, 2024, 09:31
Are you using any app for your metadata, if you don't mind me asking.
No, I am not aware of any app that will ease the burden of metadata. It is something you have to do manually if you want good results. Like I said before, without great metadata you're just wasting your time, no matter how good your clips are.
I do, however, have a custom Apple Numbers spreadsheet that stores all my metadata and significantly makes the submission process faster and easier. It uses auto-fill from similar clips, counts the characters in my description and alerts me if I go over the limit; shows the number of keywords and alerts me if I have too many or not enough; segregates editorial clips; etc. It helps, but still hate doing metadata.
I can average 12 clips per hour doing the ingest, editing, color grading, export, and all metadata. 5 minutes per clip.
I have made a similar lifetime amount on SS but sadly these days it is a very poor earner. However I did have a very good sales day a week ago when I got several EL's and cart sales on the same day! It (briefly) felt like the old days!
Quote from: synthetick on May 01, 2024, 13:29
It (briefly) felt like the old days!
Yes, I love days like that! I just checked my account and found that I had a $180 download late last night after I'd gone to bed. A great way to wrap up April in the last hour of the month.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 01, 2024, 13:28
Quote from: Faustvasea on May 01, 2024, 09:31
Are you using any app for your metadata, if you don't mind me asking.
No, I am not aware of any app that will ease the burden of metadata. It is something you have to do manually if you want good results. Like I said before, without great metadata you're just wasting your time, no matter how good your clips are.
I do, however, have a custom Apple Numbers spreadsheet that stores all my metadata and significantly makes the submission process faster and easier. It uses auto-fill from similar clips, counts the characters in my description and alerts me if I go over the limit; shows the number of keywords and alerts me if I have too many or not enough; segregates editorial clips; etc. It helps, but still hate doing metadata.
I can average 12 clips per hour doing the ingest, editing, color grading, export, and all metadata. 5 minutes per clip.
Thanks, I thoughts you use Ai tags or description using apps like Xpiks or other similar apps.
Quote from: Faustvasea on May 01, 2024, 13:54
Thanks, I thoughts you use Ai tags or description using apps like Xpiks or other similar apps.
AI is crap for stock. In my experience, it can't tell the difference between a smokestack and a rocket; between a goldfish and a salamnder; between an airplane and a cross. I could go on an on, but anyone who relies on AI is leaving money on the table. If buyers cannot find your images, then they cannot buy them. Simple as that.
BTW, we don't get paid for images or clips because that is the fun stuff most people would shoot for free. We get paid for the boring drudgery work of creating metadata. More than anything else, that's what separates the the successful from unsuccessful.
If anyone honestly thinks AI can replace a human for creating effective metadata, I will challenge that person to show me some examples.
And May is off to a good start too, with a $104 sale this morning. It does feel like the old days.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 01, 2024, 14:06
Quote from: Faustvasea on May 01, 2024, 13:54
Thanks, I thoughts you use Ai tags or description using apps like Xpiks or other similar apps.
AI is crap for stock. In my experience, it can't tell the difference between a smokestack and a rocket; between a goldfish and a salamnder; between an airplane and a cross. I could go on an on, but anyone who relies on AI is leaving money on the table. If buyers cannot find your images, then they cannot buy them. Simple as that.
BTW, we don't get paid for images or clips because that is the fun stuff most people would shoot for free. We get paid for the boring drudgery work of creating metadata. More than anything else, that's what separates the the successful from unsuccessful.
If anyone honestly thinks AI can replace a human for creating effective metadata, I will challenge that person to show me some examples.
Thanks for heads up, I have started stock last year, and I am using Ai description and Keywords, there aren't big money in stock, so don't want to sink too much time. Any advice for a newbie like me?
Quote from: Faustvasea on April 30, 2024, 22:52
Quote from: Doug Jensen on April 30, 2024, 21:57
I am happy to report I have now crossed the quarter million dollar earnings threshold at Shutterstock.
That's an average of $27.06 per download.
That's an average of $23.80 per video in my portfolio.
The earnings just keep rolling in.
How many images you have in your Port?
hard to accept their questionable claim as a newbie without a portfolio, so w/o a link doesn't matter what numbers they post
and remember this is the same guy who last year they were making $348/hr!
and besides, i've made $666,000 so far with my NFT w more sales every day
Quote from: cascoly on May 01, 2024, 21:19
Quote from: Faustvasea on April 30, 2024, 22:52
Quote from: Doug Jensen on April 30, 2024, 21:57
I am happy to report I have now crossed the quarter million dollar earnings threshold at Shutterstock.
That's an average of $27.06 per download.
That's an average of $23.80 per video in my portfolio.
The earnings just keep rolling in.
How many images you have in your Port?
hard to accept their questionable claim as a newbie without a portfolio, so w/o a link doesn't matter what numbers they post
and besides, i've made $666,000 so far with my NFT w more sales very day
Doug has been around for years and has over 9000 videos. Claims are legit. Port is easy to find with a search.
Quote from: cascoly on May 01, 2024, 21:19
and remember this is the same guy who last year they were making $348/hr!
That was last year. Now it is higher than $348/hour because the 9000+ clips in my portfolio have earned even more now. If you ask nicely, I could run the numbers again if you want an update. My numbers are completely legit, and whether you want to believe them or not doesn't change that fact.
Quote from: cascoly on May 01, 2024, 21:19
and besides, i've made $666,000 so far with my NFT w more sales every day
Excellent. Keep up the great work. Stock is a big pie with plenty of slices for everyone.
What is your hourly wage so far on your earnings?
May is off to an even better start. Two sales today for $104 each plus another for $10. A nice way to start the month.
Deleted. Accidently posted twice.
Quote from: Faustvasea on May 01, 2024, 18:35
Thanks for heads up, I have started stock last year, and I am using Ai description and Keywords, there aren't big money in stock, so don't want to sink too much time. Any advice for a newbie like me?
Actually, there is good money in stock video. Maybe not as much as a few years ago, but still plenty profitable for the amount of time I invest into it. The best advice I can give you is to do your own metadata. You have to put in the work if you want the rewards. There are no shortcuts.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 01, 2024, 22:06
Quote from: Faustvasea on May 01, 2024, 18:35
Thanks for heads up, I have started stock last year, and I am using Ai description and Keywords, there aren't big money in stock, so don't want to sink too much time. Any advice for a newbie like me?
Actually, there is good money in stock. Maybe not as much as a few years ago, but still plenty profitable for the amount of time I invest into it. The best advice I can give you is to do your own metadata. You have to put in the work if you want the rewards. There are no shortcuts.
Thanks a lot, really appreciate your help. I've seen your portfolio, and I think even If I would have good metadata, I won't be make big money, your videos are way superior than mine.
Quote from: Faustvasea on May 01, 2024, 22:12
Thanks a lot, really appreciate your help. I've seen your portfolio, and I think even If I would have good metadata, I won't be make big money, your videos are way superior than mine.
And other people's videos are way superior to mine. It makes no difference. :-)
You cannot predict what customers are looking for. If you have subject matter that is in demand; if you shoot, edit, and grade it competently; and if you have excellent metadata, you will succeed. That is the recipe for success.
Congratulations on the great triple-digit sales!
I only had one video sale today, which is more in line with the thread title ;-)
(see picture)
I had quite a few 3-digit sales last year but none so far this year. Image below is the biggest single sale I had in September last year and in fact biggest single sale I've ever had on a video.
Quote from: Pacesetter on May 02, 2024, 01:35
I had quite a few 3-digit sales last year but none so far this year. Image below is the biggest single sale I had in September last year and in fact biggest single sale I've ever had on a video.
Wow.
Quote from: Pacesetter on May 02, 2024, 01:35
I had quite a few 3-digit sales last year but none so far this year. Image below is the biggest single sale I had in September last year and in fact biggest single sale I've ever had on a video.
Fantastic! I never had a single sale that big. I think around $500 was my best, so yours is really impressive.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 02, 2024, 00:40
Quote from: Faustvasea on May 01, 2024, 22:12
Thanks a lot, really appreciate your help. I've seen your portfolio, and I think even If I would have good metadata, I won't be make big money, your videos are way superior than mine.
And other people's videos are way superior to mine. It makes no difference. :-)
You cannot predict what customers are looking for. If you have subject matter that is in demand; if you shoot, edit, and grade it competently; and if you have excellent metadata, you will succeed. That is the recipe for success.
I will have to focus more on quality and metadata. I only sold a video for the first time on pond5. But I have very small port of 800 clips. Obviously I won't compete with people that has 10k+, and being longer on the market.
Quote from: Faustvasea on May 02, 2024, 11:10
ut I have very small port of 800 clips. Obviously I won't compete with people that has 10k+, and being longer on the market.
The size of another contributor's account does not give them an advantage. Every clip has to stand on its own merits. In other words, if I have 10,000 clips and you have 800, but we both have two clips that are very similar, mine does not have an advantage just because my portfolio is bigger than yours. There is no reason not to submit good content that meets the needs of buyers.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 02, 2024, 14:03
Quote from: Faustvasea on May 02, 2024, 11:10
ut I have very small port of 800 clips. Obviously I won't compete with people that has 10k+, and being longer on the market.
The size of another contributor's account does not give them an advantage. Every clip has to stand on its own merits. In other words, if I have 10,000 clips and you have 800, but we both have two clips that are very similar, mine does not have an advantage just because my portfolio is bigger than yours. There is no reason not to submit good content that meets the needs of buyers.
But if yours is already longer on the market, and sold quite a few times (due to lower competition at that time) then the newer one will generally end up lower in the rankings, get less views, and yours will have the advantage. Right? (Of course, all depending on competition and saturation, as the algorithm mixes new content with established content. Niche markets are easier to break into than highly saturated area's of the market)
Quote from: Roscoe on May 02, 2024, 17:57
But if yours is already longer on the market, and sold quite a few times (due to lower competition at that time) then the newer one will generally end up lower in the rankings, get less views, and yours will have the advantage. Right? (Of course, all depending on competition and saturation, as the algorithm mixes new content with established content. Niche markets are easier to break into than highly saturated area's of the market)
But now you are talking about something entirely different. Yes, an older clip that has been successful and sold multiple times does have an advantage. But that has nothing to do with the overall size of the contributor's portfolio or how long the contributor has been a contributor. That is the myth I was trying to dispel. Please read my earlier post again, and I hope you can understand the difference.
But to address the point you are making, don't assume that the best-selling clip last year of a toddler eating spaghetti is going to continue to dominate year after year. The algorithms are constantly trying to promote newer clips to keep the content fresh on the site. In my own case, many of my clips that used to sell almost every day hardly ever sell at all anymore. Why is that? Well, it is because other similar clips have probably pushed them off their pedestal. That's what competition does. And it has nothing to do with the
size of the contributor's portfolio. My point is that it is never to late to get your feet wet. If you sit on the sidelines and say "it's too late", then you are guaranteed of 100% failure.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 02, 2024, 19:02
Quote from: Roscoe on May 02, 2024, 17:57
But if yours is already longer on the market, and sold quite a few times (due to lower competition at that time) then the newer one will generally end up lower in the rankings, get less views, and yours will have the advantage. Right? (Of course, all depending on competition and saturation, as the algorithm mixes new content with established content. Niche markets are easier to break into than highly saturated area's of the market)
But now you are talking about something entirely different. Yes, an older clip that has been successful and sold multiple times does have an advantage. But that has nothing to do with the overall size of the contributor's portfolio or how long the contributor has been a contributor. That is the myth I was trying to dispel. Please read my earlier post again, and I hope you can understand the difference.
But to address the point you are making, don't assume that the best-selling clip last year of a toddler eating spaghetti is going to continue to dominate year after year. The algorithms are constantly trying to promote newer clips to keep the content fresh on the site. In my own case, many of my clips that used to sell almost every day hardly ever sell at all anymore. Why is that? Well, it is because other similar clips have probably pushed them off their pedestal. That's what competition does. And it has nothing to do with the size of the contributor's portfolio. My point is that it is never to late to get your feet wet. If you sit on the sidelines and say "it's too late", then you are guaranteed of 100% failure.
I have a similar view. The size of a portfolio is of course an important factor from a purely mathematical point of view.
Nevertheless, there have been and still are indications that an extremely fast and extensively growing portfolio does not automatically guarantee that the download figures and revenues will grow in parallel.
Of course, I don't know how the algorithms work. So I can only make assumptions. But I am firmly convinced that an extreme expansion of the portfolio with the pure goal of mass can even be very harmful for the findability of the images. I believe that a small portfolio with well-ranked images can be damaged if countless poor-quality images are added to it. But once again: I can't prove that.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 01, 2024, 02:19
I've got a backlog of about 5000 4K clips that are all edited and graded. Will I ever find time to do the metadata and get them earning some money for me? I don't know. Too busy with other work to even think about it right now. Metadata is the bane of my existence. It takes time to do it well, and if you don't take that time, then why upload at all? Without good metadata it is just a waste of time.
Here you go, Wirestock, my link. Upload and let them do the work, the data and distribution to all the agencies. You just keep working on what keeps you busy and WS makes you more money. 5000 files should make you far more, on all the agencies, than it does sitting on your hard drive?
https://wirestock.io?ref=peter.klinger
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 02, 2024, 14:03
Quote from: Faustvasea on May 02, 2024, 11:10
ut I have very small port of 800 clips. Obviously I won't compete with people that has 10k+, and being longer on the market.
The size of another contributor's account does not give them an advantage. Every clip has to stand on its own merits. In other words, if I have 10,000 clips and you have 800, but we both have two clips that are very similar, mine does not have an advantage just because my portfolio is bigger than yours. There is no reason not to submit good content that meets the needs of buyers.
Good Point!
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 02, 2024, 21:34
Here you go, Wirestock, my link. Upload and let them do the work, the data and distribution to all the agencies. You just keep working on what keeps you busy and WS makes you more money. 5000 files should make you far more, on all the agencies, than it does sitting on your hard drive?
It looks like you are giving up 50% of your commissions. Is that correct? If so, what do you get for giving up half your income in perpetuity?
Fifty (50%) percent of the month's total revenue generated and actually paid to Wirestock for subscriptions to the Wirestock Marketplace ("Marketplace Subscription Revenue") will be paid to contributors of Marketplace Content (the "Total Contributor Share"). You agree and understand that Wirestock will keep the remaining fifty (50%) percent of each month's Marketplace Subscription Revenue. You agree and understand that the monthly amount you earn and the method by which Wirestock determines your earnings each month from the month's Total Contributor Share will be determined by Wirestock, in its sole discretion, and Wirestock may change how it calculates your compensation from month to month, without advance notice to you. You agree and understand that the specific method by which Wirestock determines, in its sole discretion, how to compensate you from the month's Total Contributor Share will be published in Wirestock's FAQs, found here, and the FAQ related to Marketplace compensation is hereby incorporated by reference into these terms.Who does the metadata, you or them? If they do it, how good are they? If you do it, why would you cut them in on your income when you have done all the work?
Quote from: Wilm on May 02, 2024, 21:22
I have a similar view. The size of a portfolio is of course an important factor from a purely mathematical point of view.
Nevertheless, there have been and still are indications that an extremely fast and extensively growing portfolio does not automatically guarantee that the download figures and revenues will grow in parallel.
Of course, I don't know how the algorithms work. So I can only make assumptions. But I am firmly convinced that an extreme expansion of the portfolio with the pure goal of mass can even be very harmful for the findability of the images. I believe that a small portfolio with well-ranked images can be damaged if countless poor-quality images are added to it. But once again: I can't prove that.
With a similar point, people who say images need to age, to make better sales, are neglecting the math and fact, that you only know what sells, after the fact. So of course, after years, you will see what has sold more, than in weeks or months. The time is the difference, not because images will sell better, but because they HAVE sold better.
If we only know whether more images, made more sales, because there are more, or because the popularity of some images, which is hard to predict, is only because the cream rises to the top. I mean in this way. 100 great images and that's it, or 100 great images and 900 maybe, good enough images. If we know what a "great Image" is, then the only advantage would be, from the 900 others, we might have misjudged some, and they will make more total sales, than the just 100 images. :)
Who here knows that this great image they just made is going to be a success, and has never been wrong? Or who here, has uploaded something, not so special, that probably wasn't going to work out, but it took off and unexpectedly sold. Raise Your Hand? ;D
Back to the great 100 theory. The other 900 may not be significant, but there could be a sleeper in there, and there could be a dud or two in the best 100.
That's the only reason I'd say more is better. Pure math. Otherwise,
"Nevertheless, there have been and still are indications that an extremely fast and extensively growing portfolio does not automatically guarantee that the download figures and revenues will grow in parallel."
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 02, 2024, 21:45
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 02, 2024, 21:34
Here you go, Wirestock, my link. Upload and let them do the work, the data and distribution to all the agencies. You just keep working on what keeps you busy and WS makes you more money. 5000 files should make you far more, on all the agencies, than it does sitting on your hard drive?
It looks like you are giving up 50% of your commissions. Is that correct? If so, what do you get for giving up half your income in perpetuity?
Fifty (50%) percent of the month's total revenue generated and actually paid to Wirestock for subscriptions to the Wirestock Marketplace ("Marketplace Subscription Revenue") will be paid to contributors of Marketplace Content (the "Total Contributor Share"). You agree and understand that Wirestock will keep the remaining fifty (50%) percent of each month's Marketplace Subscription Revenue. You agree and understand that the monthly amount you earn and the method by which Wirestock determines your earnings each month from the month's Total Contributor Share will be determined by Wirestock, in its sole discretion, and Wirestock may change how it calculates your compensation from month to month, without advance notice to you. You agree and understand that the specific method by which Wirestock determines, in its sole discretion, how to compensate you from the month's Total Contributor Share will be published in Wirestock's FAQs, found here, and the FAQ related to Marketplace compensation is hereby incorporated by reference into these terms.
Who does the metadata, you or them?
15% they do the metadata they do the uploads, no minimum cash outs by agency, as soon as you reach $30 you get paid, every month. Yes, you are giving them 15% to do the metadata and upload, forever, for all future sales. But 85% of something, is far more than 100% of nothing? ;)
You quoted Marketplace which has nothing at all to do with the distribution. You took something irrelevant and out of context.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 02, 2024, 21:46
Who here knows that this great image they just made is going to be a success, and has never been wrong? Or who here, has uploaded something, not so special, that probably wasn't going to work out, but it took off and unexpectedly sold. Raise Your Hand? ;D
I'll raise my hand. That is 100% correct. You cannot predict which images will be popular, so uploading a lot of potential winners is the best approach. Let the marketplace sort out the winners and losers. But each of those image you submit must be well-shot, well-graded, and have good metadata to even have a sporting chance of success.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 02, 2024, 21:50
You quoted Marketplace which has nothing at all to do with the distribution. You took something irrelevant and out of context.
That's why I asked. They have a terrible website so, don't blame me for not understanding. Where do they talk about metadata?
As for giving up 15%. Nope. Not gonna do it unless they can show me how good they are at metadata. That is the key to success. Adobe offered to do metadate for me a few years ago and it was a joke. I'd have to see some examples before committing.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 02, 2024, 21:55
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 02, 2024, 21:50
You quoted Marketplace which has nothing at all to do with the distribution. You took something irrelevant and out of context.
That's why I asked. They have a terrible website so, don't blame me for not understanding. Where do they talk about metadata?
As for giving up 15%. Nope. Not gonna do it unless they can show me how good they are at metadata. That is the key to success. Adobe offered to do metadate for me a few years ago and it was a joke. I'd have to see some examples before committing.
They (Wirestock) went from terrible to, allowing us to add our own, to not so really good, and I don't know if they read ours anymore? You can be the best judge by looking at some agencies and files that are submitted by WireStock, because there's another down side. The name on the agencies is theirs, if that matters.
I wouldn't claim their metadata is above, basic, obvious, descriptions. I can give them a break, in some ways, because they don't know the details, but sometimes that's what sells a license.
I was only half serious, in saying, if you have 5,000 files, and you're too busy, a place like Wirestock is the answer. It still comes down to, give them 15%, let them do the work and make something, vs make nothing. I don't shoot enough to make it worth my while, while you appear to have a backlog of good work. Some people like them, many more people, don't feel there's a value in a paid account, and giving WS 15%. They do their own.
So the key to this is, nothing vs something, not about quality or best way to make money. Just a quick and easy way to profit, from your backlog.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 02, 2024, 21:46
Quote from: Wilm on May 02, 2024, 21:22
I have a similar view. The size of a portfolio is of course an important factor from a purely mathematical point of view.
Nevertheless, there have been and still are indications that an extremely fast and extensively growing portfolio does not automatically guarantee that the download figures and revenues will grow in parallel.
Of course, I don't know how the algorithms work. So I can only make assumptions. But I am firmly convinced that an extreme expansion of the portfolio with the pure goal of mass can even be very harmful for the findability of the images. I believe that a small portfolio with well-ranked images can be damaged if countless poor-quality images are added to it. But once again: I can't prove that.
With a similar point, people who say images need to age, to make better sales, are neglecting the math and fact, that you only know what sells, after the fact. So of course, after years, you will see what has sold more, than in weeks or months. The time is the difference, not because images will sell better, but because they HAVE sold better.
If we only know whether more images, made more sales, because there are more, or because the popularity of some images, which is hard to predict, is only because the cream rises to the top. I mean in this way. 100 great images and that's it, or 100 great images and 900 maybe, good enough images. If we know what a "great Image" is, then the only advantage would be, from the 900 others, we might have misjudged some, and they will make more total sales, than the just 100 images. :)
Who here knows that this great image they just made is going to be a success, and has never been wrong? Or who here, has uploaded something, not so special, that probably wasn't going to work out, but it took off and unexpectedly sold. Raise Your Hand? ;D
Back to the great 100 theory. The other 900 may not be significant, but there could be a sleeper in there, and there could be a dud or two in the best 100.
That's the only reason I'd say more is better. Pure math. Otherwise, "Nevertheless, there have been and still are indications that an extremely fast and extensively growing portfolio does not automatically guarantee that the download figures and revenues will grow in parallel."
900 additional "maybe good pictures" is not what I generally mean, Pete. I have that too. I upload images that I could imagine have what it takes to sell. But I don't upload a single image that I'm absolutely sure is so bad or replaceable that it won't sell. And I'm wrong often enough.
There are so many images that everyone who uploads them knows or should know from the outset that they are "not good enough" compared to what is already there.
Nevertheless, many contributors hope that these images might sell after all, even though they secretly know or at least suspect that this will not happen, and upload masses of them. But the opposite is probably the case: these images may harm the overall ranking of the portfolio.
Doug sums it up well: "But each of those image you submit must be well-shot, well-graded, and have good metadata to even have a sporting chance of success."
This - at least in my opinion - is not sufficiently taken into account by many contributors.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 02, 2024, 22:06
Just a quick and easy way to profit, from your backlog.
But I won't profit at all if the metadata is crap. 85% of nothing is the same as 100% of nothing. Beleive me, I could do some half-assed metadata myself and FTP the clips myself and not give up any percentage. But why waste my time?
If someone could demonstrate to me they could do excellent metadata I'd gladly give up 25%. But they can't. It takes effort to describe the content correctly and choose the right keywords and exclude unhelpful keywords -- but they won't make the investment in time and attention. Metadata is king!! Most people totally underestimate it's importance. 9 times out of 10 people have asked me to look at their portfolio because they aren't getting sales, it turns out their metadata is crap.
Uncle Pete, can you post a link to the page on Wirestock where they talk about generating metadata? I can't find it.
Pete, I'm looking at Alexandre Rotenberg's figures.
He has 3,000 files online at Wirestock. In March that earned him $7, in February $10, in January $4. In December and November 2023 it was $5 each.
Of course, I can't automatically transfer from Alexandre to other contributors. But his numbers suggest to me that Wirestock is not a good model.
Quote from: Wilm on May 02, 2024, 22:32
Pete, I'm looking at Alexandre Rotenberg's figures.
He has 3,000 files online at Wirestock. In March that earned him $7, in February $10, in January $4. In December and November 2023 it was $5 each.
Of course, I can't automatically transfer from Alexandre to other contributors. But his numbers suggest to me that Wirestock is not a good model.
I dumped them my leftovers to be honest and Arcangel rejects (that were not similar to those accepted). Def not the most of commercial content so I'll take anything I can get with them :D Was basically just dump and let them keyword and forget about them...that is when they had that free option.
Neverthless, just checked and from those 3,000 I've earned some $600 over 5 years + $144 for the latest custom project on storytelling.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 02, 2024, 19:02
Quote from: Roscoe on May 02, 2024, 17:57
But if yours is already longer on the market, and sold quite a few times (due to lower competition at that time) then the newer one will generally end up lower in the rankings, get less views, and yours will have the advantage. Right? (Of course, all depending on competition and saturation, as the algorithm mixes new content with established content. Niche markets are easier to break into than highly saturated area's of the market)
But now you are talking about something entirely different. Yes, an older clip that has been successful and sold multiple times does have an advantage. But that has nothing to do with the overall size of the contributor's portfolio or how long the contributor has been a contributor. That is the myth I was trying to dispel. Please read my earlier post again, and I hope you can understand the difference.
But to address the point you are making, don't assume that the best-selling clip last year of a toddler eating spaghetti is going to continue to dominate year after year. The algorithms are constantly trying to promote newer clips to keep the content fresh on the site. In my own case, many of my clips that used to sell almost every day hardly ever sell at all anymore. Why is that? Well, it is because other similar clips have probably pushed them off their pedestal. That's what competition does. And it has nothing to do with the size of the contributor's portfolio. My point is that it is never to late to get your feet wet. If you sit on the sidelines and say "it's too late", then you are guaranteed of 100% failure.
I must have been misunderstood or not have made myself fully clear. I'm with you regarding the size of a portfolio not influencing individual asset ranking. I don't believe that purely the number of assets you have influences the individual ranking of those assets. I mentioned the advantage an older asset
can have because @Faustvasea also mentioned competing against well established assets, and up to a certain point he's right about that. And yes, new assets are mixed up in the search results of a customer, so if the new one matches the quality and content the customer is looking for, it will get sold and will keep on getting views to generate more sales. Until it is outcompeted again. Of course, competition is still increasing, and I have the feeling (no hard claim) that libraries are growing faster than customer demand which means it gets more difficult to break into certain niches. So I understand why some contributors start making weird assumptions about rankings.
I think we're on the same page, but nobody really knows how the algorithms work. The only agency I know of giving some transparency about their algorithm was Indivstock, and they are very small and irrelevant. Yet they have a rather complex algorithm in place with a lot of bonus or punishment factors for content ranking. Portfolio size was not of any influence, but popularity in general was. (data from 2022)
+ 3.00% Artist bonus in general as well as keywords and titles of images predominantly without "spam" keywording, also title.
+ 2.00% Artist bonus in general as well as portfolio mostly popular.
+ 2.00% Artist bonus in general as well as portfolio mostly "outstanding".
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 02, 2024, 22:15
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 02, 2024, 22:06
Just a quick and easy way to profit, from your backlog.
But I won't profit at all if the metadata is crap. 85% of nothing is the same as 100% of nothing. Beleive me, I could do some half-assed metadata myself and FTP the clips myself and not give up any percentage. But why waste my time?
If someone could demonstrate to me they could do excellent metadata I'd gladly give up 25%. But they can't. It takes effort to describe the content correctly and choose the right keywords and exclude unhelpful keywords -- but they won't make the investment in time and attention. Metadata is king!! Most people totally underestimate it's importance. 9 times out of 10 people have asked me to look at their portfolio because they aren't getting sales, it turns out their metadata is crap.
I would be very careful with Wirestock. You also will need to take a monthly subscription in order to get your content distributed to agencies. $14.99 for 200 submissions per month. On top of the 15% commission they take.
I tested them when it was still free, except for the 15% commission, and the keywording done by them was below par. That said, content uploaded through Wirestock gets sold on the agencies.
I got increasingly more dissatisfied with them, as they just do what they like with your content without giving much transparency or control over it. They onboard new agencies as they like, and some of them are agencies you might not want to be affiliated with (bottom of the barrel stuff). Back then, their site was also full of bugs which took forever to fix. In the end, the monthly subscription killed it for me, and now I just take the money from what I uploaded back then.
I would only use them for content you don't really care about, and never plan to upload. So if you have a few thousands of useful clips that are sitting there and you don't plan to upload it you might give it a try. In that case, I would contact them directly, and try to work out a deal. 200 assets/month upload limit is ridiculous and will take you forever.
Quote from: Roscoe on May 03, 2024, 07:11
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 02, 2024, 19:02
Quote from: Roscoe on May 02, 2024, 17:57
But if yours is already longer on the market, and sold quite a few times (due to lower competition at that time) then the newer one will generally end up lower in the rankings, get less views, and yours will have the advantage. Right? (Of course, all depending on competition and saturation, as the algorithm mixes new content with established content. Niche markets are easier to break into than highly saturated area's of the market)
But now you are talking about something entirely different. Yes, an older clip that has been successful and sold multiple times does have an advantage. But that has nothing to do with the overall size of the contributor's portfolio or how long the contributor has been a contributor. That is the myth I was trying to dispel. Please read my earlier post again, and I hope you can understand the difference.
But to address the point you are making, don't assume that the best-selling clip last year of a toddler eating spaghetti is going to continue to dominate year after year. The algorithms are constantly trying to promote newer clips to keep the content fresh on the site. In my own case, many of my clips that used to sell almost every day hardly ever sell at all anymore. Why is that? Well, it is because other similar clips have probably pushed them off their pedestal. That's what competition does. And it has nothing to do with the size of the contributor's portfolio. My point is that it is never to late to get your feet wet. If you sit on the sidelines and say "it's too late", then you are guaranteed of 100% failure.
I must have been misunderstood or not have made myself fully clear. I'm with you regarding the size of a portfolio not influencing individual asset ranking. I don't believe that purely the number of assets you have influences the individual ranking of those assets. I mentioned the advantage an older asset can have because @Faustvasea also mentioned competing against well established assets, and up to a certain point he's right about that. And yes, new assets are mixed up in the search results of a customer, so if the new one matches the quality and content the customer is looking for, it will get sold and will keep on getting views to generate more sales. Until it is outcompeted again. Of course, competition is still increasing, and I have the feeling (no hard claim) that libraries are growing faster than customer demand which means it gets more difficult to break into certain niches. So I understand why some contributors start making weird assumptions about rankings.
I think we're on the same page, but nobody really knows how the algorithms work. The only agency I know of giving some transparency about their algorithm was Indivstock, and they are very small and irrelevant. Yet they have a rather complex algorithm in place with a lot of bonus or punishment factors for content ranking. Portfolio size was not of any influence, but popularity in general was. (data from 2022)
+ 3.00% Artist bonus in general as well as keywords and titles of images predominantly without "spam" keywording, also title.
+ 2.00% Artist bonus in general as well as portfolio mostly popular.
+ 2.00% Artist bonus in general as well as portfolio mostly "outstanding".
That's what I was trying to say, portfolio size and the time being on the platform really matters. I think is the same case with each platform , instagram, YouTube . I would personally do the same, I will promote the old contributors and let the new one struggle or provide something really unique.
At the moment I only contribute videos to AS and P5, but as I said, I am certain sure that the new contributors have less chance to make same amount of money as the old contributors.
Quote from: Faustvasea on May 03, 2024, 16:36
I am certain sure that the new contributors have less chance to make same amount of money as the old contributors.
I can't prove it, but I strongly disagree with that statement. Yes, someone with a larger portfolio may earn more total dollars -- because they have more clips that can earn. And someone who already has a good stable of high-earning clips will probably continue to make more money from those clips than someone just getting started. But I firmly believe that if I upload a clip today, and a newbie uploads a nearly identical clip today, and we both have the same excellent metadata, then we are on a level playing field for those clips. In other words, portfolio size, longevity, past earnings, etc. will not help my new clips earn more than the same clips from someone else.
Quote from: Roscoe on May 03, 2024, 07:35
I would be very careful with Wirestock.
I wouldn't get into bed with them or any of the other similar services, which I will not name.
Just look at their website and notice the lack of information they provide to potential contributors. Their "service" is clearly aimed at a certain demographic who doesn't really want to do the hard work of running a stock footage business or be bothered with the details. If someone has the attitude, "hey, why not send them some stuff and if it makes a couple of bucks, that's a couple of bucks I wouldn't have had otherwise." Fine. But that is a lazy way to try to make money from the content you have created.
And then, when their earnings amount to practically nothing, they will announce "See, there's no money in stock anymore. I missed the boat". But they never actually did the work or put in the effort that is required to become a successful contributor. They took the easy way and it didn't pay off. What a surprise!
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 03, 2024, 18:03
Quote from: Roscoe on May 03, 2024, 07:35
I would be very careful with Wirestock.
I wouldn't get into bed with them or any of the other similar services, which I will not name.
Just look at their website and notice the lack of information they provide to potential contributors. Their "service" is clearly aimed at a certain demographic who doesn't really want to do the hard work of running a stock footage business or be bothered with the details. If someone has the attitude, "hey, why not send them some stuff and if it makes a couple of bucks, that's a couple of bucks I wouldn't have had otherwise." Fine. But that is a lazy way to try to make money from the content you have created.
And then, when their earnings amount to practically nothing, they will announce "See, there's no money in stock anymore. I missed the boat". But they never actually did the work or put in the effort that is required to become a successful contributor. They took the easy way and it didn't pay off. What a surprise!
Yes, distributors in general can be risky business. All your stuff is in one basket without much control, and that's never a good idea imho.
But not everyone takes it as seriously or professionally as you do. Some just want to dump their stuff and are happy with whatever it brings in while other have a very calculated approach with something that actually looks like a business plan. Some just don't have the time (or don't want to spend their time) to keyword, have way too many files sitting there doing nothing and I can understand why they dump them to a distributor. Plenty of examples from people that made quite some money that way that they wouldn't have made otherwise. That's the easy road yes, but not always sure it's lazy as they might be very busy or passionate outside microstock. Not up to me to judge any kind of approach, and it's each to their own preferences or needs. Whatever works. Microstock is probably a side hustle anways, and very few have or want to do what it takes to make a comfortable living from it.
I think many of us are somewhere in the middle along that road, and in many cases it means that the distributor gets the leftovers or even crapstock. So if I were a distributor, I wouldn't want to be in that place either, I would still want that quality content that sells as I would have to make money too. So I don't understand Wirestock. If you have quality content it really pays off to keep control and do the effort of keywording and uploading to personal accounts. If you have leftovers or crapstock, rejections (Wirestock has their standards too and if they don't the receiving agency has), sloppy keywording (not very sure this is still the case) probably result in low sales and you might even lose money due to paying the subscription fee. So who are they targeting? I don't fully understand, but apparently it's working as they are still around.
I agree that it's never too late to step in and that putting effort in it is the only way to success. But I feel like it became way more difficult, and success is way higher up the learning curve than it was in the past. A beginner or intermediate food photographer for example will have a hard time to break in, and might get discouraged pretty early in that process. I'm not very familiar with video, but I guess the same applies there. It's what competition does, and I think you have to ask yourself whether the hard work is worth the potential return, and whether equal hard work in other areas outside microstock woulnd't bring in more money :-)
Quote from: Roscoe on May 03, 2024, 07:35
I would be very careful with Wirestock.
I would be careful with any agency! Let's be reminded that I'm currently involved in a friviolous lawsuit via Alamy. Out of all the agencies Alamy would be the last I think this something would happen since perhaps I've naively thought that I'm covered under editorial licenses shooting out in public.
Lots appear contentious these days. Those experimenting with AI may be acting recklessly. Who knows one of my artsy Arcangel silhouettes of people may come back to haunt me, literally! Or my drone footage that was often borderline legal.
Wirestock are just a distributor, so they are at the mercy of their B2B model. They do have a "Wirestock Direct" channel but haven't had sales on there.
I do like Wirestock as at least they're trying to innovate. Check out their challenges page and custom projects, can earn $4 per image accepted. It's both fun and profitable. Their keywording was awful for a long time but they have made efforts to improve.
I've reviewed some turd agencies that have recently popped up and their business model is like something you'd see 15 years ago - wow you're offering subscriptions who would have thought of that!?
Quote from: Brasilnut on May 04, 2024, 12:03
Check out their challenges page and custom projects, can earn $4 per image accepted. It's both fun and profitable.
It takes me an average of 5 minutes per clip to edit, grade, export, keyword, write a description, and upload. I wouldn't do that for $4 unless they guaranteed 100% acceptance of every clip I submitted.
Quote from: Roscoe on May 03, 2024, 07:35
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 02, 2024, 22:15
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 02, 2024, 22:06
Just a quick and easy way to profit, from your backlog.
But I won't profit at all if the metadata is crap. 85% of nothing is the same as 100% of nothing. Beleive me, I could do some half-assed metadata myself and FTP the clips myself and not give up any percentage. But why waste my time?
If someone could demonstrate to me they could do excellent metadata I'd gladly give up 25%. But they can't. It takes effort to describe the content correctly and choose the right keywords and exclude unhelpful keywords -- but they won't make the investment in time and attention. Metadata is king!! Most people totally underestimate it's importance. 9 times out of 10 people have asked me to look at their portfolio because they aren't getting sales, it turns out their metadata is crap.
I would be very careful with Wirestock. You also will need to take a monthly subscription in order to get your content distributed to agencies. $14.99 for 200 submissions per month. On top of the 15% commission they take.
I tested them when it was still free, except for the 15% commission, and the keywording done by them was below par. That said, content uploaded through Wirestock gets sold on the agencies.
I got increasingly more dissatisfied with them, as they just do what they like with your content without giving much transparency or control over it. They onboard new agencies as they like, and some of them are agencies you might not want to be affiliated with (bottom of the barrel stuff). Back then, their site was also full of bugs which took forever to fix. In the end, the monthly subscription killed it for me, and now I just take the money from what I uploaded back then.
I would only use them for content you don't really care about, and never plan to upload. So if you have a few thousands of useful clips that are sitting there and you don't plan to upload it you might give it a try. In that case, I would contact them directly, and try to work out a deal. 200 assets/month upload limit is ridiculous and will take you forever.
I think you covered that quite well.
I was only making a simple point, which has turned into many side discussions, variations, inspections, and contradictions.
Here's what I was trying to point out. If someone has 5,000 videos and is too busy with better ways to make money and more profitable endeavors. They could dump them on a distribution platform, and continue doing the more profitable work.Yes, another negative is, paying for 200 files a month, which is also limiting. Or some annual plan. How long would it take to upload 5,000 files? ;D
You also hit something in that WS makes deals. Someone with 5,000 video files, could probably say, here's what I have, and WS would jump at the volume and quality of someone established. But I can't speak for them or any promises of some hypothetical. I can say that, WS does make special deals, outside of the published.
Let me reduce this to minimal math. If I have 500 files, making nothing and I upload them "somewhere" and I make $1. I have $1, and doing nothing, I have NOTHING. Which is more? :)
Yes I know, there's no incentive to make $1, but $1, $100 or $1,000 is always going to be more than nothing. The only sure thing in this is, if someone does nothing, uploads nothing, I can promise them a sure thing. They will earn nothing.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 06, 2024, 03:13
The only sure thing in this is, if someone does nothing, uploads nothing, I can promise them a sure thing. They will earn nothing.
Sometimes nothing is better than something that takes more effort than it is worth.
I also want to be mindful of not uploading content that cannibalizes my own similar content. For example, I have about 5000 4K clips that are edited, graded, and waiting for metadata. But almost all of that content is similar to other stuff I already have submitted before. So, if I already have a dozen nice clips of elk bugling in Yellowstone, will another dozen significantly improve my earnings? Doubtful. Do I want to allow an agency to sell clips for $1 that are similar to clips that regularly earn $30 per download? No. Clearly uploading more and more similar content has diminishing returns.
If I really want to increase my earnings, I would need to create content that is markedly different from what I already have in my portfolio. And that is true for every contributor that already has a successful portfolio. If you want to earn more, you really need to spread your wings and come up with stuff that does not cannibalize what you already have working for you.
The problem is, I have no interest in shooting what I think will sell. I shoot what I want to shoot for fun, and any income it may earn is a secondary consideration. So, as long as I'm not willing to go shoot stuff like hipsters playing ukuleles on the beach or silver-haired senior citizens people cycling through a park while grinning like morons -- even though there is money to be made there -- my earnings will not increase in proportion to the size of my portfolio.
Excuse me now, while I go shoot another 200 clips of birds in flight. :-)
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 06, 2024, 03:13
I can say that, WS does make special deals, outside of the published.
I aksed you earlier, but didn't see an answer. Can you post a link to the page on Wirestock where they talk about their service of generating metadata? I can't find it anywhere on their site. I hope you would agree that is a very serious topic to learn about before signing up. Where is it?
Hmmm, I guess Uncle Pete is ghosting me or he has no answer to a simple question. Either way, I think that confirms exactly what I thought about Wirestock.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 09, 2024, 00:09
Hmmm, I guess Uncle Pete is ghosting me or he has no answer to a simple question. Either way, I think that confirms exactly what I thought about Wirestock.
Pete is busy promoting his crapstock portfolio...
here's what WS says
https://wirestock.io/about-us what we do
Quote from: cascoly on May 09, 2024, 18:08here's what WS says
https://wirestock.io/about-us what we do
Thanks for the link. I must say I am overwhelmed my the amount of detail they provide:
"Here at Wirestock, we eliminate all the manual steps such as keywording and captioning".That's it. Not a single scrap of information beyond that one sentence. And if that doesn't convince me that they know what they are doing, nothing will. :-\
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 09, 2024, 18:23
Quote from: cascoly on May 09, 2024, 18:08here's what WS says
https://wirestock.io/about-us what we do
Thanks for the link. I must say I am overwhelmed my the amount of detail they provide:
"Here at Wirestock, we eliminate all the manual steps such as keywording and captioning".
That's it. Not a single scrap of information beyond that one sentence. And if that doesn't convince me that they know what they are doing, nothing will. :-\
they used to have more details, but i couldn't find them. they always did metadat earlier (w variable results) but i havent uploaded since they went to a premium option
Quote from: cascoly on May 09, 2024, 18:08
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 09, 2024, 00:09
Hmmm, I guess Uncle Pete is ghosting me or he has no answer to a simple question. Either way, I think that confirms exactly what I thought about Wirestock.
Pete is busy promoting his crapstock portfolio...
here's what WS says
https://wirestock.io/about-us what we do
;D
Yes and I actually work for a living sometimes, especially in the Summer.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 09, 2024, 00:09
Hmmm, I guess Uncle Pete is ghosting me or he has no answer to a simple question. Either way, I think that confirms exactly what I thought about Wirestock.
First part, I don't work for WS, I don't think their keywording is particularily good. It's visually descriptive, and we all know that without details, that wouldn't be as good as, the artist who knows.
They charge to have an account and take 15%, unless that changed. There's a 200 limit, but I'm pretty sure, with your reputation and history, if you said, I have 5,000 files... they would jump at the opportunity. Maybe for free and maybe, mail a hard drive, we'll do everything else.
I'm going to make my point, as a person and what I was trying to say TO YOU, not about WS or anything else.
If you have a pile of horse crap in one hand, and 5,000 files on a hard drive... which one is more? If you uploaded 5,000 files to WS and got 85% of whatever they make you, for doing nothing else but taking the time to upload them, or you have no account, no files and nothing. Which one is more valuable.
Stop nit picking at side issues and details, and expecting me to know WS business. I was simply saying, if you upload the files, they will get distributed to any of the places you select, and you'll make money. Which is? "more than what you have now which is nothing." ;D
Now for myself and my motivation? I get $8 if you use the link. And some kind of pennies, if you get some downloads. I hope you make a million dollars, because I'd make...
1. When you refer a new contributor to Wirestock and they become a premium subscriber, you'll instantly earn $8.
2. Additionally, you will earn ten percent (10%) of the total royalties generated by your referral for a full year. For example, if your referral earns $500 in royalties, you get an extra $50 in your pocket.
Important: Wirestock will pay you the referral commission from our share of the earnings (the 15%), so rest assured that your referral's earnings will not be affected in any way. It's a fantastic way to benefit from helping grow the Wirestock community!I'm only in it for the money. https://wirestock.io?ref=peter.klinger Mercenary, money grubbing, promotion, referral link = https://wirestock.io?ref=peter.klinger
BTW here's more from WS about what they pay you.
https://wirestock.io/docs/faq?q=doYouHaveAReferral
"Why Do I Need Wirestock?
Selling on all major marketpaces from a single account is a unique feature that helps creators save time and boost sales by more than 10 times. In addition Wirestock's one-of-a-kind "Easy Submission" tool takes the writing of metadata off of creators' shoulders, filling out descriptions, titles, keywords, and other required fields for them. The required information will be filled out by Wirestock submission experts, so you will be getting top quality while boosting your sales in the meantime.
How Do I Get Paid?
Payment structure
You will get 85% of all royalties earned through Wirestock's partner marketplaces. The earnings will be displayed on your dashboard. At the end of each month, you will be paid the total amount earned if the balance on your account exceeds the minimum payout amount."
Conclusion? You can make 85% by submitting the files, that are making nothing. And you are now making 100% of nothing, instead of 85% of something. If you make $1, it's more than nothing. You said you have 5,000 files, and no time to do anything with them. WS will do the data and distribution and pay you whenever you reach $30 in credit. (oh and the coolest part is, they will give me $3!)
Click here now, everyone, make me some money?
https://wirestock.io?ref=peter.klinger
note, though, you can't have them submit to any agency you've already submitted those images to
Quote from: cascoly on May 13, 2024, 21:18
note, though, you can't have them submit to any agency you've already submitted those images to
And you don't always have control over that. If they onboard a new agency and it's one that you are already submitting to via a personal account, you might end up in a situation where they submit images that are already there... and get accepted. Easy to miss such notification from them because their mails tend to end up in a spam folder or you just might be on holiday and miss it. I have that with Getty (via iStock on my personal account, and via Wirestock). And they sell via both channels. I haven't seen any consequences of that, but I guess theoretically it can happen that one of the accounts get suspended.
Anyhow, that's a situation you have with any distributor. Same with EyeEm in the past.
Quote from: Roscoe on May 14, 2024, 17:07
Quote from: cascoly on May 13, 2024, 21:18
note, though, you can't have them submit to any agency you've already submitted those images to
And you don't always have control over that. If they onboard a new agency and it's one that you are already submitting to via a personal account, you might end up in a situation where they submit images that are already there... and get accepted. Easy to miss such notification from them because their mails tend to end up in a spam folder or you just might be on holiday and miss it. I have that with Getty (via iStock on my personal account, and via Wirestock). And they sell via both channels. I haven't seen any consequences of that, but I guess theoretically it can happen that one of the accounts get suspended.
Anyhow, that's a situation you have with any distributor. Same with EyeEm in the past.
Yes, there's another negative. I don't know how or what I could do to end the 3¢ uses by Extra Channels. Maybe that was Evanto or ? They did add everything to IS when that came back online. I'm sure I have duplicates being sold under two accounts. Pond5 wrote me to say I either stole and image or mine was stolen, because two accounts have the same image. Guess what? It was mine from Wirestock.
Hasn't hurt me, but you are right, there is some lack of control. On the other hand, I won't pay to play, so only the oldest images from, upload everything and see what passed, when WS opened, is online. It's "everything" going back to about 2009.
AS, SS, I upload on my own. Which makes WS prefect for distribution of aging Microstock, where I don't have to have an account and wait 10 years to cash out. IS, AL, DT, I have some from both myself and WS.
There's my biggest attraction. Make $30, anywhere, any combination of agencies, get paid.
Sorry for the thread hijack:
Shutterstock is an embarassment
Quote from: qunamax on July 03, 2023, 12:33
Quote from: stockman11 on June 23, 2023, 22:26
My SS earnings used to be 15x higher than now, and they just keep nosediving from month to month. Once a good earner, now abomination. Seems like it will join mid-tier agencies soon. Inexcusable.
During this same time, my Adobe Stock earnings has been growing, and Istock has been consistent.
I'm considering to start treating SS like the other mid-tier agencies and completely stop uploading there.
Identical experience for me too.
This. In the 20 years I've been doing this, I've never even considered an exclusive agreement, but if Adobe offered one, I'd drop the rest of them, inlcuding SS. They used to be 50% of my total revenue, now they are 10-20% while adobe is 60-80%.
Quote from: dbvirago on May 15, 2024, 00:19
Quote from: qunamax on July 03, 2023, 12:33
Quote from: stockman11 on June 23, 2023, 22:26
My SS earnings used to be 15x higher than now, and they just keep nosediving from month to month. Once a good earner, now abomination. Seems like it will join mid-tier agencies soon. Inexcusable.
During this same time, my Adobe Stock earnings has been growing, and Istock has been consistent.
I'm considering to start treating SS like the other mid-tier agencies and completely stop uploading there.
Identical experience for me too.
This. In the 20 years I've been doing this, I've never even considered an exclusive agreement, but if Adobe offered one, I'd drop the rest of them, inlcuding SS. They used to be 50% of my total revenue, now they are 10-20% while adobe is 60-80%.
Nearly every sale now is a Single Other for 10 cents. Adobe will never offer exclusive, but if they did, I'm with you.
So far this month, I've had almost exactly the same number of downloads at Shutterstock as at Adobe.
The average sale at Adobe has been $11.60
The average sale at Shutterstock has been $16.47
That's about 40% more income for the same number of sales. Shutterstock isn't what it used to be, but it is still king.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 15, 2024, 14:28
So far this month, I've had almost exactly the same number of downloads at Shutterstock as at Adobe.
The average sale at Adobe has been $11.60
The average sale at Shutterstock has been $16.47
That's about 40% more income for the same number of sales. Shutterstock isn't what it used to be, but it is still king.
Just curious, are you in the USA?
Quote from: wds on May 15, 2024, 15:41
Just curious, are you in the USA?
Yes, why do you ask?
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 15, 2024, 15:59
Quote from: wds on May 15, 2024, 15:41
Just curious, are you in the USA?
Yes, why do you ask?
Only because in other previous posts (by other stills photogs), there seemed to be a trend where US based Shutterstock contributors seemed to be complaining about dropping SS sales and contributors outside the US seemed to be happier with their SS results.
Quote from: wds on May 15, 2024, 17:25
Only because in other previous posts (by other stills photogs), there seemed to be a trend where US based Shutterstock contributors seemed to be complaining about dropping SS sales and contributors outside the US seemed to be happier with their SS results.
Just to be clear, I only sell video. Stills is a waste of time.
Nevertheless, I am also experiencing fewer sales and lower revenue at Shutterstock. On the other hand, Adobe is slowly rising, but still not as good as Shutterstock by total dollar volume or per-clip revenue.
Quote from: Doug Jensen on May 15, 2024, 17:29
Quote from: wds on May 15, 2024, 17:25
Only because in other previous posts (by other stills photogs), there seemed to be a trend where US based Shutterstock contributors seemed to be complaining about dropping SS sales and contributors outside the US seemed to be happier with their SS results.
Just to be clear, I only sell video. Stills is a waste of time.
Nevertheless, I am also experiencing fewer sales and lower revenue at Shutterstock. On the other hand, Adobe is slowly rising, but still not as good as Shutterstock by total dollar volume or per-clip revenue.
Interesting. I primarily sell stills....could be that at SS video (vs. other agencies) is holding it's own and it is on the stills side where SS seems to be doing seriously worse than AS.
... shutterstock was really a star, especially for video... but they slapped us hard, with those sub plans and royalties... they do sell, by quantity they do - but our part of cake have became a particle.. after years of nor uploading on both SS and AS, first one is going down and second rises even with lower portfolio size...
I wouldn't blame Shutterstock for the lowering of revenue. In my job exporting agricultural products, I understand the impact of market forces. The producers, like farmers and stock content creators, suffer the most from increased competition. Instead of blaming specific agencies, adapting to the market is essential.
Here's how my sales are looking so far in May. Shutterstock was showing promise in April and even at the beginning of May, but has since slowed considerably. Shuttertock assets are (at this moment) 2586 videos and 1776 still images, while Adobe is 2135 videos and 1066 still images. iStock not represented as payment is yet to arrive.
Shutterstock is indeed an embarassment but the rest of the industry show serious signs of terminal decline at least for my niche.
I've crunched some numbers since 2019 and the picture isn't pretty. Difficult to justify any sort of investment and upgrades with these results.
Key takeaways (SS only)
Port size 2019 (stills): 10,128
Port size May 2024 (still): 12, 297
Increase of 21%
Port size 2019 (clips): 1,030
Port size May 2024 (clips): 1,993
Increase of 94%
Now for my results, see below.
In summary, a decline from 2019 peak for clips of 60% on average downloads and 17% for stills.
Let's not forget that inflation from 2019 to 2024 is about 24% (US) or 4% a year on average.
Is it worth it as a business model for me, not really.
this month shutterstock slows down. anyone experience that ?
Quote from: [email protected] on May 16, 2024, 17:19
this month shutterstock slows down. anyone experience that ?
This month is better than last month.
Comparing April to May:
49% more earnings per day average.
82% more downloads per day average.
This month, I've earned about $80 per download on Pond5. Last month was nearly $90 per download. Number of download hasn't increased much or slightly down compared to last year this time, but because I raised my prices, revenue is up a little bit. Still mostly HD sales. Maybe 10-20% are 4k sales depending on the month. Many HD sales are custom license higher than the prices I set. Some are discounted due to buyers buying credit packs.
https://www.pond5.com/artist/blvdoneprime (https://www.pond5.com/artist/blvdoneprime)
Quote from: [email protected] on May 16, 2024, 17:19
this month shutterstock slows down. anyone experience that ?
So far, May is normal for me. Not great and not terrible.
I'm on track for the BME on SS, SS is performing very well for me overall, AS it's lower than usual this month.
Earnings comparison between Shutterstock and Adobe Stock:
WTD = Week-To-Date
MTD = Month-To-Date
These figures use to be in reverse several years ago which shows for my efforts how far Adobe has progressed compared to poor old beaten down washed-up Shutterstock.
Quote from: DaLiu on May 17, 2024, 01:59
I'm on track for the BME on SS, SS is performing very well for me overall, AS it's lower than usual this month.
Same here.
SS is performing really well this month.
If I look at my total revenue so far this year from both AS and SS, they are pretty close to each other, and that is with a lower commission on SS.
I just got a $48 sale in SS today. I tend to get a couple of big sales every month on SS. I cannot recall when that happened on AS.
this month so far on Adobe I have earned 650% more than on SS,but I haven't uploaded to SS since September 2023.
Quote from: Injustice for all on May 18, 2024, 11:29
this month so far on Adobe I have earned 650% more than on SS,but I haven't uploaded to SS since September 2023.
The Shutterstock is an embarrassment continues. I've earned
2.6 times in just
5 hours on Adobe Stock than I have in
10 days on Shutterstock.
It's really strange that I only received 40-50% of the earnings and sales that I usually get in Shutterstock. And the sales and earnings in Adobe Stock is normal like every month.
... two crazy days, with big footage sales... being on rollercoaster is really frustrating, while P5 is silecened again...
Quote from: Pacesetter on May 20, 2024, 07:23
Quote from: Injustice for all on May 18, 2024, 11:29
this month so far on Adobe I have earned 650% more than on SS,but I haven't uploaded to SS since September 2023.
The Shutterstock is an embarrassment continues. I've earned 2.6 times in just 5 hours on Adobe Stock than I have in 10 days on Shutterstock.
Something similar in my case as well, even though sales at AS have dropped drastically in the last two months.
i had 9 image sales today. i didn't make $1. pathetic.
SS is going stronger than ever. I make $300/hr on SS. ;D ;D
Just kidding.
I only sell photos on SS just like on Adobe Stock btw. No video sub for me.
Somewhat comforting to see others experiencing similar rubbish results I am, though I also sell video but have just taken a more deeper look and noticed that I have only sold videos on 2 days in the last 12 days (and for garbage prices at that) and I usually sell videos more than every second day on average, even during quieter months. So something really wrong here. >:(
ok in the interest of transparency i followed up yesterdays ridiculous 9 sales for less than $1 with my biggest ever image sale on SS. this is more than 4x my previous largest so i guess miracles are possible (or they heard me complain and threw me a bone).
For me SS is by far the best agency and the number of sales are constant.
Quote from: DaLiu on May 23, 2024, 13:38
For me SS is by far the best agency and the number of sales are constant.
same h ere - my running average has been about the same over last few years, down maybe 10%. AS has been slightly up during that time but is usually < 50% of SS sales. for me, it may be that SS sells my editorials, while AS won't
Quote from: DaLiu on May 23, 2024, 13:38
For me SS is by far the best agency and the number of sales are constant.
Download numbers are quite good there but I see you have 10x more photos than mine and few less videos. How's the revenue-per-download going? That's where I've seen the biggest hit to earnings.
Quote from: Pacesetter on May 24, 2024, 00:09
Quote from: DaLiu on May 23, 2024, 13:38
For me SS is by far the best agency and the number of sales are constant.
Download numbers are quite good there but I see you have 10x more photos than mine and few less videos. How's the revenue-per-download going? That's where I've seen the biggest hit to earnings.
My RPD mixed (videos+images) is around 0,80$ per download for this year, actually it went up compared with last years.
AS RPD is over 1.1$ per download mixed but half the downloads of SS.
Shutterstock would be a great agency,they just need to get these 10c out of the way and set 0.25c at least as minimum.
selling most photos and vectors for 0.10c is not acceptable,there is too much work behind it.
To give an indication of how far my Shutterstock port has fallen in terms of sales...
Last year in May, my Adobe revenue was half of SS. Downloads were about a quarter of the downloads I had on SS.
This year, Adobe revenue is double that of SS. Downloads are almost equal and slightly higher on SS (SS downloads are down 50 percent from last year though). The revenue is double because my Adobe RPD is about 1$ while on SS it's 25 cents. This despite the fact that I have the same images on both ports. In fact, my SS port is bigger because of editorials.
As well as being a contributor, I often buy from Shutterstock on behalf of the company I work for, and it's just as bad from the customer side. I can't even search for new content, and just get the filter options for Popular and Most Relevant. They return a different selection, but why can't I browse new stuff?
Doesn't seem to be much point in uploading new stuff if customers can't even search for it?
Quote from: offisapup on May 27, 2024, 09:37
To give an indication of how far my Shutterstock port has fallen in terms of sales...
Last year in May, my Adobe revenue was half of SS. Downloads were about a quarter of the downloads I had on SS.
This year, Adobe revenue is double that of SS. Downloads are almost equal and slightly higher on SS (SS downloads are down 50 percent from last year though). The revenue is double because my Adobe RPD is about 1$ while on SS it's 25 cents. This despite the fact that I have the same images on both ports. In fact, my SS port is bigger because of editorials.
But overall revenue (AS + SS) how is it compared with the last May?
Quote from: DaLiu on May 27, 2024, 17:58
Quote from: offisapup on May 27, 2024, 09:37
To give an indication of how far my Shutterstock port has fallen in terms of sales...
Last year in May, my Adobe revenue was half of SS. Downloads were about a quarter of the downloads I had on SS.
This year, Adobe revenue is double that of SS. Downloads are almost equal and slightly higher on SS (SS downloads are down 50 percent from last year though). The revenue is double because my Adobe RPD is about 1$ while on SS it's 25 cents. This despite the fact that I have the same images on both ports. In fact, my SS port is bigger because of editorials.
But overall revenue (AS + SS) how is it compared with the last May?
Slightly higher thanks to AS. Would have been much higher if SS downloads hadn't dipped so hard.
something strange is happening on SS today.
I sold more in 2 hours than I sold in the first 27 days of May,and they keep coming!
but not even a sale above 1 USD for the moment,a storm of 0.10c.
most likely something went off in the algorithm that decided that I had to start selling.
if I had sold all this on Adobe I would have been much happier,unfortunately my portfolio on Adobe seems to be hibernating this month!
wake up Adobe it's almost summer! :D
I had my best month ever on Shutterstock in May 2024.
From reading other people's posts, it's clear that SS performs better for videos and AS for photos.
I only have videos in my portfolio, so I'm very happy with the sales there, even with lower commissions than AS and Pond5.
Just received $28.40 contributor fund payment.
Anyone else?
At least Shutterstock pays contributors for its use however a poorly performing agency compared to what it once was.
yes,I also received a small contributor fund bonus yesterday.
this month on SS did nothing but confirm that I was right to stop uploading last September.
too many 0.10c sales,when I see all this content sold at 0.10c I feel bad thinking about all the work that went into making it,and I don't want to upload new content,I don't want to see more new content sold at 0, 10,it's unbearable!
I'd like to go back to uploading to SS but they need to get these 0.10c out of the way!
I have actually had quite a good month on SS in May, with two larger sales for photos. However, they have now started refusing model releases that are perfectly fine, in some cases accepting four releases for a family of four, then refusing the same releases for other images of the same family, crazy behaviour. Or accepting a photo of a 19th century church and refusing the presbytery next to it on intellectual property grounds. Not sure if the reviewers are human or not, the reviews are much faster but crazy now. Have any of you experienced this in the last few days? Is it worth it contacting them to have explanations?
I also had quite a good month on SS, actually it is even my BME, especially thanks to 3 big editorial photo sales. After a long time, my RPD at SS is around 1 dollar this month, which is very decent. Interestingly enough, all those big sales revolve around transportation.
20% more downloads than any other month at SS and the BME in revenue.
I've had a pretty good month on SS. Second best ever for number of downloads but no big sales so RPD is only $0.32. However still quite a lot more revenue than AS.
Anyone elso who is annoyed by the 200 videos per week submission limit? (used to be 100 per day)
I know it still allows to upload up to 10400 yearly (assuming all gets accepted ???)
However, when I want to upload 2K vertical clips, it takes 10+ weeks blocking me from uploading normal content, so pretty annoying from my point tbh.
When I take stock seriously, I probably make 350 clips weekly...
Since 6 June, my download figures have deteriorated dramatically. Am I the only one or is it the same for someone else?
-
Quote from: Wilm on June 18, 2024, 13:29
Since 6 June, my download figures have deteriorated dramatically. Am I the only one or is it the same for someone else?
Download numbers while not good I can't see any dramatic drop off from normal. But the RPD is completely abysmal. For me, Shutterstock doesn't even look the same agency as it did as recent as last year with its consistently poor performance.
Quote from: Wilm on June 18, 2024, 13:29
Since 6 June, my download figures have deteriorated dramatically. Am I the only one or is it the same for someone else?
Showing the same, 30% or so roughly overnight then hasnt picked up.
June on SS has been okay for me at least so far. Decent level of downloads and RPD for the month to date is at $0.50. AS is about average with RPD at $0.84. But in actual dollars, I'm making three times as much on SS albeit with a significantly larger portfolio.
Quote from: Wilm on June 18, 2024, 13:29
Since 6 June, my download figures have deteriorated dramatically. Am I the only one or is it the same for someone else?
I've been on Shutterstock since 2012 and it's worse than in 2014 when I was building up my portfolio. Yesterday, I had a very small number of sales, but I think it's due to changes in search results. In the popular section, there are some mixtures and not what has been positioned over the years. Shutterstock has repeatedly mixed with the algorithms, so let's hope this is temporary.
Quote from: Wilm on June 18, 2024, 13:29
Since 6 June, my download figures have deteriorated dramatically. Am I the only one or is it the same for someone else?
Not since June 6th, but somewhere earlier this year. Sudden drop in sales volume of let's say 50% and never recovered, despite regular uploading.
A lot of people are complaining about significant lower sales volume, so it seems to be a more general thing. On the other hand, some folks also report to see very little impact and they keep their volumes on par or even see a rise.
Strange. I know sales volumes can highly depend on quality and type of content, and comparing between contributors is very difficult, but those sudden drops are weird.
Only photos in my library but rankings is the same every month in terms of value (not number of photos sold).
1. Adobe
2. iStock
3. Shutterstock
4. Alamy
5. Dreamtime
6. Deposit Photos
7. 123RF
8. Bigstock
Quote from: Roscoe on June 20, 2024, 08:42
Quote from: Wilm on June 18, 2024, 13:29
Since 6 June, my download figures have deteriorated dramatically. Am I the only one or is it the same for someone else?
Not since June 6th, but somewhere earlier this year. Sudden drop in sales volume of let's say 50% and never recovered, despite regular uploading.
A lot of people are complaining about significant lower sales volume, so it seems to be a more general thing. On the other hand, some folks also report to see very little impact and they keep their volumes on par or even see a rise.
Strange. I know sales volumes can highly depend on quality and type of content, and comparing between contributors is very difficult, but those sudden drops are weird.
In my case, taking for example my results for May 2019 vs May 2024 (photos only).
May 2019
Portfolio size: 9,565
Images sold: 453
Earnings: 304
Average return per download: 67cents
https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2019/05/31/may-2019-brutally-honest-earnings-report/
May 2024
Portfolio size: 12,318
Images sold: 264
Earnings: 97
Average return per download: 38cents
https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2024/05/31/may-2024-brutally-honest-earnings-report/
Now let's compare the metrics (May 2019 vs May 2024).
Portfolio size: +28%
Images sold: -42%
Earnings: -68%
Average return per download: -45%
If this were a flower shop or restaurant, etc with similar numbers it would have been forced to close long ago.
Interesting. This month is on its way to the lowest download this year, but the highest revenue due to several higher price sales. Maybe SS realized el cheapo isn't the way to go to maximize corporate profit. RPD is higher on SS than Adobe Stock this month so far. Adobe Stock RPD is $0.80.
This month (June), i have very low sales. Down about 70% from average. Very unusual for me :( :(
Quote from: blvdone on June 23, 2023, 23:23
I only sell photos on Shutterstock and Adobe Stock. I have 2x more photos on Shutterstock because they accept editorials. But my revenue is 1/3 of Adobe Stock. Shutterstock definitely isn't for creators. They are for their stockholders. Squeeze squeeze squeeze!!
I would ditch SS if i could but they take editorial.Adobe is better for creators & Alamy is for editorial but sales there are very poor for me.
Thank you all for your answers!
@Alexandre: It looks similar for me. June in a 5-year comparison at shutterstock:
06/2014:
- approx. 1,000 images in the portfolio
- $ 508
06/2019:
- approx. 1,200 images in the portfolio
- $ 353
06/2024 until now:
- 1,367 images in the portfolio
- $ 90
Quote from: Brasilnut on June 20, 2024, 11:54
If this were a flower shop or restaurant, etc with similar numbers it would have been forced to close long ago.
If this was a flower shop and they promised to pay you $10 an hour, then every year, dropped your wages, so 2019 $10, 2020 $9, 2021 $8... 2024 $5, but the employee keeps coming to work (as in, keeps uploading to SS) then why would the business care? They get the job done, the business profits, they pay less and less, and the workers may complain, but they keep coming to work. :o
I tend to think that a couple hundred images and videos ago, SS decided, they didn't really need new content, just pay pennies for the old. And if people leave, what does SS care, they have hundreds of millions of images already.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on June 21, 2024, 17:27
Quote from: Brasilnut on June 20, 2024, 11:54
If this were a flower shop or restaurant, etc with similar numbers it would have been forced to close long ago.
If this was a flower shop and they promised to pay you $10 an hour, then every year, dropped your wages, so 2019 $10, 2020 $9, 2021 $8... 2024 $5, but the employee keeps coming to work (as in, keeps uploading to SS) then why would the business care? They get the job done, the business profits, they pay less and less, and the workers may complain, but they keep coming to work. :o
I tend to think that a couple hundred images and videos ago, SS decided, they didn't really need new content, just pay pennies for the old. And if people leave, what does SS care, they have hundreds of millions of images already.
It's even a bit different, because we don't have to show up at ShutterStock every day as we should do in a flower shop :-) We just leave our images there which is effortless. And they still sell. But less, and for less than in the past. We accept it and squeeze it out. We also still upload there, because for most of us it's an automated or semi-automated process. Rather effortless too to upload to ShutterStock.
But the main point is very right: they can do whatever they want, they keep on growing in terms of database volume. If everybody would pull their portfolio's it's a different story, but that's never gonna happen. For many people, myself included, ShutterStock still provides some money that comes in very handy and would be a shame to miss out on. And for some, it even provides a living. Having the right niche, having the unfair advantage as the tend to call it, combine it with some good enough photography skills and you'll probably still doing rather good there.
That said: the trend is clear. Downhill. But this was already the case in 2019 when I started out and started reading the forums. People were complaining and moaning about a dying business model too. Truth has to be said: they were pretty much right on it :-)
Flower shop is perhaps the wrong analogy. Closer to our business is something liker Uber.
In many countries the drivers pay Uber 25% of their gross profits. In the UK I was shocked to hear that they pay 40%!
What is stopping Uber from increasing their commission in most countries up to 40%? Of course if they did many drivers would protest and quit (or use alternative apps) as it's just not viable...but Uber wouldn't care, they have too many drivers anyway and have run all the projections anyway on their spreadsheets. Or do away with drivers altogether in 10-15 years' time when some cars will be fully automated.
Just like what Alamy did in 2019 and even worse, Shutterstock in 2020. We, as contributors, have put up with it because as mentioned above it's easy for us to keep going as our workflow is fast and efficient (and mine now even more with AI keywording with PhotoTag).
But there will come a point when it's absolutely not viable anymore. Perhaps if I'm earning just $50 from 15,000 images and 4,000 clips at Shutterstock on any given month it's really time to never upload again. I wouldn't close the account because at that point it's 100% passive.
In the meantime we have some hope of a great month...i sometimes hear news of an image at Shutterstock earning someone $500 and a clip even close to $1k. I don't get it.
Quote from: Brasilnut on June 21, 2024, 18:43
But there will come a point when it's absolutely not viable anymore. Perhaps if I'm earning just $50 from 15,000 images and 4,000 clips at Shutterstock on any given month it's really time to never upload again. I wouldn't close the account because at that point it's 100% passive.
Let's not kid ourselves, Alexandre: the day will come. And it won't be long now.
There was a time when microstock was really fun.
A few years ago, I said that I would quit Microstock if the monthly income fell below 1,000 euros.
The time has since come. I'm still involved, but my productivity has dropped to almost zero.
It also no longer makes sense as long as the legalities between AI and copyright have not been clarified.
Nevertheless, the microstock period also had its good side: money is still coming in. Less, much less, than before. But also without work.
Last two days of the week:
Thursday 1 sale for 10 cents
Friday zero sales
All this place can achieve on two weekdays is an average of 5 cents a day with 2500+ videos and 1700+ images.
And it's not like my content doesn't sell. I regularly sell over 70 videos a month on iStock as well as about the same in images and sell a good amount of photos and videos on Adobe Stock (which currently has 220% more earnings this month than Shutterstock), and even doing kinda okay on Pond5.
Last year, whenever I had a couple of low consecutive days it was almost certain it would be followed with a high-price video sale. But those sales have vanished this year. Maybe those sales are still happening but I'm not seeing them.
Yesterday, I only made 10 cents on a Friday. Wow. This never happened on a weekday. I want to be making $300/hr of work like some guys do on Shutterstock. I think many Shutterstock subscribers left and joined Adobe Stock subscription for much larger collection of AI generated photos.
For me SS is going better and better, last month was the BME for income and downloads.
Over 4 digits income this month and still one week left to go.
Quote from: DaLiu on June 22, 2024, 13:33
For me SS is going better and better, last month was the BME for income and downloads.
Over 4 digits income this month and still one week left to go.
Congrats! Well deserved!
Quote from: DaLiu on June 22, 2024, 13:33
For me SS is going better and better, last month was the BME for income and downloads.
Over 4 digits income this month and still one week left to go.
For me, Shutterstock is the best platform for video earning compared to Adobe Stock and Pond5.
... Shutterstock really was the best and still sells after years of no uploading...
Quote from: Uncle Pete on June 21, 2024, 17:27
I tend to think that a couple hundred images and videos ago, SS decided, they didn't really need new content, just pay pennies for the old. And if people leave, what does SS care, they have hundreds of millions of images already.
Id agree but also add SS seems to be transitioning itself to a big-data company not a media stock agency. Its got the vast database of images, videos complete with descriptions and keywords. They see the money in offering subsections of that as datasets for AI training and production.
They dont really NEED any more content so will be happy to slow or stop it at some point once the transition is complete.
Quote from: gnirtS on June 24, 2024, 22:37
Quote from: Uncle Pete on June 21, 2024, 17:27
I tend to think that a couple hundred images and videos ago, SS decided, they didn't really need new content, just pay pennies for the old. And if people leave, what does SS care, they have hundreds of millions of images already.
Id agree but also add SS seems to be transitioning itself to a big-data company not a media stock agency. Its got the vast database of images, videos complete with descriptions and keywords. They see the money in offering subsections of that as datasets for AI training and production.
They dont really NEED any more content so will be happy to slow or stop it at some point once the transition is complete.
I think you're right. Also remember when the story was subscription model, how people paid and didn't use all their allotted image downloads. Maybe it's just me, but I get almost no Subs anymore. They list as Single and Other, as if everything is being sold with some new system.
On track to make less $$$ than I did my first month in 2013. The lowest in 11 years.
Good job, SS!
A nice surprise this morning at Shutterstock. My highest image sale ever.
It's an editorial photo from the 50s with 2 American celebrities.
Quote from: RalfLiebhold on June 28, 2024, 19:10
A nice surprise this morning at Shutterstock. My highest image sale ever.
It's an editorial photo from the 50s with 2 American celebrities.
congrats, i can tell you've been at this a long time
Quote from: RalfLiebhold on June 28, 2024, 19:10
A nice surprise this morning at Shutterstock. My highest image sale ever.
It's an editorial photo from the 50s with 2 American celebrities.
Congratulations! When I was looking earlier on my phone with my aging eyes, I mistakenly saw the 5 as a $ and thought yeah $44 not bad. Didn't realise it was a $544 sale!
Congratulations from me as well
Although I am increasingly more and more frustrated by SS like everyone else, things like this are still possible over there. We all rightfully glorify Adobe but I haven't heard of anyone making 3-digit sale on Adobe. Unless you count these 5 bucks a pop free royalties that reach 3-digit net payout once a year for many. Correct me if I am wrong.
Congrats on the sale!! Makes me miss my port ...;)
ss monthly earnings are a joke, -90% over the last 2 years
Quote from: RalfLiebhold on June 28, 2024, 19:10
A nice surprise this morning at Shutterstock. My highest image sale ever.
It's an editorial photo from the 50s with 2 American celebrities.
Congrats!!
Amazing one Ralf,congrats! :)
I came across this Contributor Strategy video via the SS dashboard: https://vimeo.com/961199114?share=copy
Could not have foreseen such poor results with a grand total of $2.30 for the week. But even Adobe Stock has fallen to well under half usual weekly earnings this past week with the lowest since January which is typically very slow (trend line 1 Jan to 6 July attached).
It's the start of the new financial year here in Australia so might have something to do with it but even Shutterstock was doing a whole lot better in July 2023.
Some of it might be slowing down because of start of summer season, as well as 1st week of July has 2 major holidays in US/Canada (Canada Day July 1st, 4th of July in US) & many people just take whole week off and go somewhere.
June 2024 was my worst month on SS since August 2009, a few months after I started. Of course I stopped submitting there when they changed the system in 2020 so that doesn't help. Every time I think I should just go ahead and submit my already processed and key worded images to them it just isn't worth the bother for 10 cents a pop.
Quote from: sgoodwin4813 on July 07, 2024, 18:05
June 2024 was my worst month on SS since August 2009, a few months after I started. Of course I stopped submitting there when they changed the system in 2020 so that doesn't help. Every time I think I should just go ahead and submit my already processed and key worded images to them it just isn't worth the bother for 10 cents a pop.
You and I share similar experiences and game plan. I'll keep my hard earned images with the SS and collect my pennies but they're not going to get another submission until they return to the original minimum compensation of $0.35 I "enjoyed" in 2009 when I first started submitting to them. If everyone adopts the same strategy it'll force their hand. The SS and other agencies will have to listen to all of those who have worked so hard building their portfolios.
Same with me.June was my worst month on Shutterstock.
Anyone get paid from Shutterstock yet?
I see that the issue is widespread. I haven't had it this bad since June and now July for the past 9 years, even though I've been uploading to Shutterstock since 2014. Back then, my portfolio was a fraction of what it is now, and uploading new content didn't feel like throwing it straight into the trash. I've also noticed that very few subscriptions are selling; only on-demand images are moving.
Quote from: sofijab on July 08, 2024, 18:34
Same with me.June was my worst month on Shutterstock.
Anyone get paid from Shutterstock yet?
Yes, paid last week.
Quote from: Micha91 on July 08, 2024, 19:02
I see that the issue is widespread. I haven't had it this bad since June and now July for the past 9 years, even though I've been uploading to Shutterstock since 2014. Back then, my portfolio was a fraction of what it is now, and uploading new content didn't feel like throwing it straight into the trash. I've also noticed that very few subscriptions are selling; only on-demand images are moving.
Maybe buyers are shifting over to Adobe Stock, as sales there keep increasing?
Quote from: stocky on July 08, 2024, 19:35
Quote from: Micha91 on July 08, 2024, 19:02
I see that the issue is widespread. I haven't had it this bad since June and now July for the past 9 years, even though I've been uploading to Shutterstock since 2014. Back then, my portfolio was a fraction of what it is now, and uploading new content didn't feel like throwing it straight into the trash. I've also noticed that very few subscriptions are selling; only on-demand images are moving.
Maybe buyers are shifting over to Adobe Stock, as sales there keep increasing?
Yes, on Adobe, but I felt the most growth on iStock, where the increases have been 2-3 times over the past two years.
Quote from: sofijab on July 08, 2024, 18:34
Same with me.June was my worst month on Shutterstock.
Anyone get paid from Shutterstock yet?
Yes.
Quote from: sgoodwin4813 on July 07, 2024, 18:05
June 2024 was my worst month on SS since August 2009, a few months after I started. Of course I stopped submitting there when they changed the system in 2020 so that doesn't help. Every time I think I should just go ahead and submit my already processed and key worded images to them it just isn't worth the bother for 10 cents a pop.
I stopped submitting images to Shuttterstock last year and stopped videos in March this year before briefly uploading again after a good month in April only to stop again after poor months in May and June.
July 2022: $543.15
July 2023: $683.47
as of 8 July 2024: $2.70
Quote from: Asthebelltolls on July 08, 2024, 16:42
Quote from: sgoodwin4813 on July 07, 2024, 18:05
June 2024 was my worst month on SS since August 2009, a few months after I started. Of course I stopped submitting there when they changed the system in 2020 so that doesn't help. Every time I think I should just go ahead and submit my already processed and key worded images to them it just isn't worth the bother for 10 cents a pop.
You and I share similar experiences and game plan. I'll keep my hard earned images with the SS and collect my pennies but they're not going to get another submission until they return to the original minimum compensation of $0.35 I "enjoyed" in 2009 when I first started submitting to them. If everyone adopts the same strategy it'll force their hand. The SS and other agencies will have to listen to all of those who have worked so hard building their portfolios.
I think it's already happening. Two comments on Facebook group Stock Coalition discussion this past week or so I find interesting (paraphrased):
1. Shutterstock didn't count on many of the contributors they burned also being customers and accordingly, moved their contributions and purchases (along with other customers they had connections with) to other agencies.
2. The mismanagement of that company is down and out scary!! <-- Actually that's quoted verbatim. ;D
Shutterstock: After the first 9 days of
July 2020 : $66.07 ( around 1000 videos)
July 2021 :$404.12( around 2200 videos)
July 2022 :$171.01( around 3000 videos)
July 2023 :$319.99( around 4500 videos)
July 2024 :$61.03 ( More than 5200 videos)
Thanks for sharing, Ambu. And everyone has to ask themselves...You put ALL that time, energy and money to submit your clips to the SS. Was it worth upgrading to 4K and simply have the SS throw a few pennies at you? Ambu has the resounding response. NO!
Quote from: Pacesetter on July 09, 2024, 02:54
July 2022: $543.15
July 2023: $683.47
as of 8 July 2024: $2.70
From a little over $2 on 8 July to over $200 by 11 July.
Meanwhile earnings sinking faster than the RMS Lusitania on Adobe.
It's why can really not go exclusive with anyone as things can change very quickly and unexpectedly.
These last four days is what Shutterstock should look like... and reflects the sales activity as it was last year until December when there was a drop that never really recovered for the first half of 2024.
Anyone else seeing a lift in higher paying sales?
Quote from: Pacesetter on July 12, 2024, 11:57
These last four days is what Shutterstock should look like... and reflects the sales activity as it was last year until December when there was a drop that never really recovered for the first half of 2024.
Anyone else seeing a lift in higher paying sales?
You sound like a
troll working for the SS. What part of
monthly earnings with the SS are a fraction of what they were more than a decade ago for contributors? Are you
contributing to the SS hoping that
the majority of your sales with the SS will drop from $0.35us to $0.10us and then perhaps to $0.05us but you can still look forward to an occasional lift in higher paying sales?
Quote from: Asthebelltolls on July 12, 2024, 12:49
Quote from: Pacesetter on July 12, 2024, 11:57
These last four days is what Shutterstock should look like... and reflects the sales activity as it was last year until December when there was a drop that never really recovered for the first half of 2024.
Anyone else seeing a lift in higher paying sales?
You sound like a troll working for the SS. What part of monthly earnings with the SS are a fraction of what they were more than a decade ago for contributors? Are you
contributing to the SS hoping that the majority of your sales with the SS will drop from $0.35us to $0.10us and then perhaps to $0.05us but you can still look forward to an occasional lift in higher paying sales?
Well most of my posts concerning Shutterstock are critical and scathing of the agency's payments and performance, though sometimes with a touch of sarcasm and dry dark humour. 8) I haven't contributed any stills since last year and pulled back on uploading videos. Thus, my posting record is hardly that of a Shutterstock troll. So calm down there ol' fella.
... something is going on and I like it... like good old days...
Comparison between Shutterstock and Adobe Stock after 15 days of July 2023 & July 2024:
July 2023:
Shutterstock : $426.10
Adobe Stock : $263.23
July 2024
Shutterstock : $97.31
Adobe Stock : $283.03
Quote from: Ambu on July 16, 2024, 06:23
Comparison between Shutterstock and Adobe Stock after 15 days of July 2023 & July 2024:
July 2023:
Shutterstock : $426.10
Adobe Stock : $263.23
July 2024
Shutterstock : $97.31
Adobe Stock : $283.03
I have similar results on shutterstock; everything is divided by four.
... I really miss those times with multiple 23.70$ cart sales...
Surprised to have gotten a $95.01 sale from SS today.
On track for the worst month in 11 years.
July 2023 $510
July 2024 $64
Best month on SS since im doing stock, both revenue and downloads, keep up the good work SS.
Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 17, 2024, 16:37
On track for the worst month in 11 years.
July 2023 $510
July 2024 $64
This might explain why we saw a huge drop in sales. The King is back
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/peopleimages-yuri+a (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/peopleimages-yuri+a)
Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 17, 2024, 16:37
On track for the worst month in 11 years.
July 2023 $510
July 2024 $64
Now that the month is over, worst month ever on SS since I started. New record was also set, with six days, in a row, no sales. That's roughly 14 years of being a contributor to SS.
I know this varies by content and amounts and we're all different. One sale on Alamy, surpassed the entire month on SS. That's how bad it was.
Quote from: DaLiu on July 31, 2024, 15:37
Best month on SS since im doing stock, both revenue and downloads, keep up the good work SS.
Congrats! What percentage of your earnings are from videos and what percentage from photos on Shutterstock?
Unfortunately, this was my worst month on SS in 12 years.
In July +10% downloads than June, but my earnings per download dropped from $1.25 to $0.47! :(
Quote from: Big Money on July 31, 2024, 21:22
Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 17, 2024, 16:37
On track for the worst month in 11 years.
July 2023 $510
July 2024 $64
This might explain why we saw a huge drop in sales. The King is back
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/peopleimages-yuri+a (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/peopleimages-yuri+a)
I'm hoping that was humor? But one person won't change my sales, I have nothing, like anything his business does. I mean, he doesn't shoot what I do and I don't shoot what he does. (of course his choices and work is much better, but we don't cross markets)
437,116 stock photos, vectors, and illustrations from PeopleImages.com - Yuri A.I'd guess he does alright. :)
Quote from: Bauman on August 01, 2024, 15:29
Quote from: DaLiu on July 31, 2024, 15:37
Best month on SS since im doing stock, both revenue and downloads, keep up the good work SS.
Congrats! What percentage of your earnings are from videos and what percentage from photos on Shutterstock?
30% video, rest images.
July was awful for me (video), didn't even reach payout threshold and August is already shaping up to be just as bad or if not worse.
Shutterstock are beating Adobe for me this month for the first time....Adobe continues will mass rejections, very long review time and long payout time......still good though
August 1 - 6, 2023: $289.34
August 1 - 6, 2024: $21.77
Quote from: Pacesetter on August 07, 2024, 23:56
August 1 - 6, 2023: $289.34
August 1 - 6, 2024: $21.77
My August, 2024 is bad, but my August, 2023 was horrible.
August 1 - 6, 2023: $22.42
August 1 - 6, 2024: $177.84
Starting August 8, 2023, the month picked up tremendously, so I am still holding out hope for
this August.
Quote from: odesigns on August 08, 2024, 00:30
Quote from: Pacesetter on August 07, 2024, 23:56
August 1 - 6, 2023: $289.34
August 1 - 6, 2024: $21.77
My August, 2024 is bad, but my August, 2023 was horrible.
August 1 - 6, 2023: $22.42
August 1 - 6, 2024: $177.84
Starting August 8, 2023, the month picked up tremendously, so I am still holding out hope for this August.
again, given the wide variability month to month, single month comparisons aren't as useful as 3 or 4 month running averages
Quote from: cascoly on August 08, 2024, 20:01
Quote from: odesigns on August 08, 2024, 00:30
Quote from: Pacesetter on August 07, 2024, 23:56
August 1 - 6, 2023: $289.34
August 1 - 6, 2024: $21.77
My August, 2024 is bad, but my August, 2023 was horrible.
August 1 - 6, 2023: $22.42
August 1 - 6, 2024: $177.84
Starting August 8, 2023, the month picked up tremendously, so I am still holding out hope for this August.
again, given the wide variability month to month, single month comparisons aren't as useful as 3 or 4 month running averages
this is comparing a single week of a single month
Quote from: yuriy on August 08, 2024, 22:54
Quote from: cascoly on August 08, 2024, 20:01
Quote from: odesigns on August 08, 2024, 00:30
Quote from: Pacesetter on August 07, 2024, 23:56
August 1 - 6, 2023: $289.34
August 1 - 6, 2024: $21.77
My August, 2024 is bad, but my August, 2023 was horrible.
August 1 - 6, 2023: $22.42
August 1 - 6, 2024: $177.84
Starting August 8, 2023, the month picked up tremendously, so I am still holding out hope for this August.
again, given the wide variability month to month, single month comparisons aren't as useful as 3 or 4 month running averages
this is comparing a single week of a single month
statistically, even worse!
next we'll see day by day comparisons!
I've found hourly and even minutely comparisons to be statistically reliable and informative.
I'm still at about 60% of my best year in 2017 at Shutterstock, but Adobe has more than made up the difference, so overall, my sales have continued to grow, albeit only slightly.
Month by month, it's getting worse, at least for me. Last month was very weak, and August seems like it won't even reach half of last month. I earned more when I had just a few hundred works back in 2015. New items aren't selling, which is strange because on Adobe Stock, new items are moving, so that's probably not the issue. Maybe I have a shadow ban because how else can I explain it? After reaching level 5, I noticed quite intense drops in sales.
Does anyone else have a similar experience? It breaks my heart to see how my once-favorite stock photo site is hitting rock bottom.
Quote from: Micha91 on August 19, 2024, 14:54
Does anyone else have a similar experience? It breaks my heart to see how my once-favorite stock photo site is hitting rock bottom.
My August is surprisingly bad. I may not hit $1K. And this at an agency where it wasn't uncommon for me to hit $5K - $7K per month just a few years ago! Guess everyone who wanted my clips got them.
Quote from: Pacesetter on August 09, 2024, 03:28
I've found hourly and even minutely comparisons to be statistically reliable and informative.
Remember the software that would ping the sites, every minute, to check if we had a new download? The agencies had to block that. But 14 years ago, minute by minute was a real thing.
And then the people who watched so close that if there was a drop, in a particular time period, they imagined that they were being blacked out by zones. Now instead of hours, it's black out days.
Speaking of the best SS Subject, which is so true, I've noticed that most of my sales, those wonderful dimes, are not subscriptions anymore. Almost all are Single or OD. Talk about an embarrassment. What used to be no sale Saturday has become, no sale weekends.
I have cameras, lenses, lighting, all kinds of expensive equipment to make better images, and what do I get?
(https://i.postimg.cc/vm0jXMFH/pete_with_dime_400_G.gif)
Quote from: stockman11 on June 23, 2023, 22:26
My SS earnings used to be 15x higher than now, and they just keep nosediving from month to month. Once a good earner, now abomination. Seems like it will join mid-tier agencies soon. Inexcusable.
During this same time, my Adobe Stock earnings has been growing, and Istock has been consistent.
I'm considering to start treating SS like the other mid-tier agencies and completely stop uploading there.
I stopped uploading to shutterstock in 2020. Was all in but 10 cents is not worth the trouble. Im not very succesful at all in these stock companies but adobe stock is doing better for me than shutter ever did. Shutter was great with video sales.
Quote from: Camillo on August 21, 2024, 00:02
Quote from: stockman11 on June 23, 2023, 22:26
My SS earnings used to be 15x higher than now, and they just keep nosediving from month to month. Once a good earner, now abomination. Seems like it will join mid-tier agencies soon. Inexcusable.
During this same time, my Adobe Stock earnings has been growing, and Istock has been consistent.
I'm considering to start treating SS like the other mid-tier agencies and completely stop uploading there.
I stopped uploading to shutterstock in 2020. Was all in but 10 cents is not worth the trouble. Im not very succesful at all in these stock companies but adobe stock is doing better for me than shutter ever did. Shutter was great with video sales.
I feel your pain! when shutter used to pay 40 bucks a video I whent out and got a gymbal, professional studio lighting and started leveling up my skills and quality on videos. Was all n and really motivated in 2019 but then in 2020 the great news came and I still feel like what?
Quote from: Stockhome Syndrome on August 19, 2024, 21:43
Quote from: Micha91 on August 19, 2024, 14:54
Does anyone else have a similar experience? It breaks my heart to see how my once-favorite stock photo site is hitting rock bottom.
My August is surprisingly bad. I may not hit $1K. And this at an agency where it wasn't uncommon for me to hit $5K - $7K per month just a few years ago! Guess everyone who wanted my clips got them.
I used to earn somewhat lower amounts, and I don't think I'll surpass $1K this month either. The worst part is that I barely have any subscription sales anymore—just Single & Other, sometimes clip packs. The number of sales has dropped about 8 to 10 times compared to the best years, 2017-2019. I'm not sure if it's due to algorithm changes or customers leaving, but I can't stop the decline despite frequent uploads.
Quote from: Stockhome Syndrome on August 19, 2024, 21:43
Quote from: Micha91 on August 19, 2024, 14:54
Does anyone else have a similar experience? It breaks my heart to see how my once-favorite stock photo site is hitting rock bottom.
My August is surprisingly bad. I may not hit $1K. And this at an agency where it wasn't uncommon for me to hit $5K - $7K per month just a few years ago! Guess everyone who wanted my clips got them.
I can only imagine what your production costs must be if you're making what you claim to make in the microstock business!
Quote from: Asthebelltolls on August 21, 2024, 15:11
I can only imagine what your production costs must be if you're making what you claim to make in the microstock business!
Production costs? For me, basically zero. It's me in a spare room in my free time churning out video clips when the inspiration hits.
Quote from: Stockhome Syndrome on August 21, 2024, 18:53
Quote from: Asthebelltolls on August 21, 2024, 15:11
I can only imagine what your production costs must be if you're making what you claim to make in the microstock business!
Production costs? For me, basically zero. It's me in a spare room in my free time churning out video clips when the inspiration hits.
Curious what your port numbers are, do you have both stills and video?
Quote from: Pacesetter on August 21, 2024, 22:58
Curious what your port numbers are, do you have both stills and video?
Mostly video. Over 10.000 clips at multiple agencies. And a handful of stills.
Quote from: Stockhome Syndrome on August 21, 2024, 23:29
Quote from: Pacesetter on August 21, 2024, 22:58
Curious what your port numbers are, do you have both stills and video?
Mostly video. Over 10.000 clips at multiple agencies. And a handful of stills.
Really well done and great results (from reading your post on the other thread) even with over 10,000 clips.
Quote from: Camillo on August 21, 2024, 00:02....
I stopped uploading to shutterstock in 2020. Was all in but 10 cents is not worth the trouble. Im not very succesful at all in these stock companies but adobe stock is doing better for me than shutter ever did. Shutter was great with video sales.
your choice, but the 10c cheapest sale isn't a true measure - i can't remember anyone here reporting their RPD was < $.20 /image -- mine varies from$.50-.75 /image - only slightly less than AS but with higher actual income/mo (which is what really matters)
A $76.31 video sale on SS today. It's picking up at about the same time as it did on August 23. I'm hoping the summer slump is over now.
Hello !
That mean that for videographer shutterstock is still relevant ? I'm quitting blackbox guild to upload on my own name. I realized that plateform wasn't good at all for the business.
I'm originally videographer, but would like to become hybrid shooter like 80% video / 20% photo.
Do you think Shutterstock is a go to ?
Quote from: cascoly on August 22, 2024, 01:14
Quote from: Camillo on August 21, 2024, 00:02....
I stopped uploading to shutterstock in 2020. Was all in but 10 cents is not worth the trouble. Im not very succesful at all in these stock companies but adobe stock is doing better for me than shutter ever did. Shutter was great with video sales.
your choice, but the 10c cheapest sale isn't a true measure - i can't remember anyone here reporting their RPD was < $.20 /image -- mine varies from$.50-.75 /image - only slightly less than AS but with higher actual income/mo (which is what really matters)
I quit SS when my RPD went to <20c for several months in a row, that and their ethics made me pull the pin.
Quote from: cascoly on August 22, 2024, 01:14
Quote from: Camillo on August 21, 2024, 00:02....
I stopped uploading to shutterstock in 2020. Was all in but 10 cents is not worth the trouble. Im not very succesful at all in these stock companies but adobe stock is doing better for me than shutter ever did. Shutter was great with video sales.
your choice, but the 10c cheapest sale isn't a true measure - i can't remember anyone here reporting their RPD was < $.20 /image -- mine varies from$.50-.75 /image - only slightly less than AS but with higher actual income/mo (which is what really matters)
My average RPD since I started with SS in 2018 is $0.57. My average RPD for this year is $0.91 (helped by a $261 sale a couple of days ago 8))
Quote from: Micha91 on August 19, 2024, 14:54
...
Does anyone else have a similar experience? It breaks my heart to see how my once-favorite stock photo site is hitting rock bottom.
Same here.
My earnings on Depositphotos is twice that of Shutterstock this month. And it's not because Depositphotos is better than normal.
Shutterstock used to be at least 10 times better than Depositphotos.
This is a recurring and daily groundhog day discussion ;)
There is in my opinion no fundamental general pro or con for Adobe or Shutter ... or any other agency. It all depends very much on the portfolio content.
My personal reality at the moment is that Adobe has pretty much crashed.
Adobe: approx. 200 DLs per month - RPD 80 - 90
Shutterstock: 800 - 900 DLs per month, RPD 70 - 80
Only Foto, no AI
And yes, I hate the January reset at Shutter, but are several months of review times at Adobe really more "ethical" while those images are making money at other agencies in that time?
Here's the real embarrassment for Shutterstock Inc.
On full public display, sinking share prices across all periods. If it's a bit hard to see in the attachment then below is a list of the results.
The only 'green' shoot is its MAX period share price which increased 49.23% but that's across almost 12 years.
Clearly investors are not invested in this company. Not surprising.
Down 4.79% -1.65 Today
Down 10.47% -3.84 5 Days
Down 20.83% -8.64 1 Month
Down 29.81% -13.94 6 Months
Down 31.03% -14.77 Year-To-Date
Down 24.48% -10.64 1 Year
Down 5.93% -2.07 5 Years
Up 49.23% +10.83 MAX (Since October 2012)
Quote from: Pacesetter on August 23, 2024, 10:31
Here's the real embarrassment for Shutterstock Inc.
On full public display, sinking share prices across all periods. If it's a bit hard to see in the attachment then below is a list of the results.
The only 'green' shoot is its MAX period share price which increased 49.23% but that's across almost 12 years.
Clearly investors are not invested in this company. Not surprising.
Down 4.79% -1.65 Today
Down 10.47% -3.84 5 Days
Down 20.83% -8.64 1 Month
Down 29.81% -13.94 6 Months
Down 31.03% -14.77 Year-To-Date
Down 24.48% -10.64 1 Year
Down 5.93% -2.07 5 Years
Up 49.23% +10.83 MAX (Since October 2012)
So should I start shorting Shutterstock on wall street and I will earn more than with stock photos? ;D
August 2023 - 1505 downloads
August 2024 - 2831 downloads (still 1 day to go) with 6% more photos added and 65% more income
Weird, some people are seeing growth and others are seeing virtual collapses. Maybe it's geographic?
Quote from: wds on August 30, 2024, 18:52
Weird, some people are seeing growth and others are seeing virtual collapses. Maybe it's geographic?
more likely portfolio contents - i sell many editorial images on SS but AS doesn't accept editorial
and then depends whether you concentrate on food, people, travel, etc
Quote from: cascoly on August 30, 2024, 20:38
Quote from: wds on August 30, 2024, 18:52
Weird, some people are seeing growth and others are seeing virtual collapses. Maybe it's geographic?
more likely portfolio contents - i sell many editorial images on SS but AS doesn't accept editorial
and then depends whether you concentrate on food, people, travel, etc
I have editorial on both (AS generally accepts editorial without people), in fact more editorial on SS than AS, and SS earnings are far below AS at this point.
August 2024 for me on Shutterstock is a decrease in income compared to:
-July 2024 decrease by 42%,
-August 2023 decrease by 56%
Quote from: wds on September 01, 2024, 00:46
Quote from: cascoly on August 30, 2024, 20:38
Quote from: wds on August 30, 2024, 18:52
Weird, some people are seeing growth and others are seeing virtual collapses. Maybe it's geographic?
more likely portfolio contents - i sell many editorial images on SS but AS doesn't accept editorial
and then depends whether you concentrate on food, people, travel, etc
I have editorial on both (AS generally accepts editorial without people), ..
that's why it's so, difficult to compare - most of my editorials have people/ crowds
August 2020
Downloads : 74
Earnings : 105.88
August 2021
Downloads : 94
Earnings : 134.68
Port had 410 videos as of November 2021
August 2022
Downloads : 80
Earnings : 308.62
August 2023
Downloads : 117
Earnings : 571.69
August 2024
Downloads : 135
Earnings : 258.21
Port increased to over 2700 videos by August 2024
Quote from: stockman11 on June 23, 2023, 22:26
My SS earnings used to be 15x higher than now, and they just keep nosediving from month to month. Once a good earner, now abomination. Seems like it will join mid-tier agencies soon. Inexcusable.
During this same time, my Adobe Stock earnings has been growing, and Istock has been consistent.
I'm considering to start treating SS like the other mid-tier agencies and completely stop uploading there.
After 15 pages, I just wanted to agree with the OP "Shutterstock is an embarassment"
Shutterstock it's just fine for some of us, more than fine.
what can I say. from 220-280 sales per day in 2017-2021. Now I have about 20-30 per day :-[. I have no idea what's going on there but the algorithm hates me.
It's getting worse from month to month in my case.
Quote from: Micha91 on July 08, 2024, 19:02
I see that the issue is widespread. I haven't had it this bad since June and now July for the past 9 years, even though I've been uploading to Shutterstock since 2014. Back then, my portfolio was a fraction of what it is now, and uploading new content didn't feel like throwing it straight into the trash. I've also noticed that very few subscriptions are selling; only on-demand images are moving.
Im thinking fewer and fewer are renewing subscriptions (or just abusing the free month). They've so completely screwed up their licence pricing people no longer bother.
Has anyone seen an increase in their earnings this year from uploading new content to SS?
Quote from: Micha91 on September 09, 2024, 08:07
what can I say. from 220-280 sales per day in 2017-2021. Now I have about 20-30 per day :-[. I have no idea what's going on there but the algorithm hates me.
It's getting worse from month to month in my case.
Similar here, I feel your pain.
Quote from: stocker2011 on September 19, 2024, 13:59
Has anyone seen an increase in their earnings this year from uploading new content to SS?
Yes, this summer I mainly uploaded new material. The new images have led to an increase in income. (The spike in June is due to a single $500 sale).
Sales volume doesn't appear to have fallen too much (though relative to growing port size it has) but earnings are still way down on last year.
Something curious happening with images though, I'm seeing a lift in the RPD this past two months. Anyone else noticing the same?
Quote from: RalfLiebhold on September 19, 2024, 21:23
Quote from: stocker2011 on September 19, 2024, 13:59
Has anyone seen an increase in their earnings this year from uploading new content to SS?
Yes, this summer I mainly uploaded new material. The new images have led to an increase in income. (The spike in June is due to a single $500 sale).
So there is some hope then, thanks for sharing.
Quote from: stocker2011 on September 19, 2024, 13:59
Has anyone seen an increase in their earnings this year from uploading new content to SS?
No however for me the algorithm appears to have changed. Previously about 90% of my stuff sold was older content (3 years or older). The last few months its shifted to about 75% of newer content (3 years or even a few months) vs older. Ive never seen that before.
Sales volume is down about 30%, im breaking "worst month for a decade" records every month now in terms of revenue.
Also noticed almost all sales are now low value SODs not subscriptions. Previously subs made up 90% of sales.
Quote from: gnirtS on September 22, 2024, 12:19
No however for me the algorithm appears to have changed. Previously about 90% of my stuff sold was older content (3 years or older). The last few months its shifted to about 75% of newer content (3 years or even a few months) vs older. Ive never seen that before.
Sales volume is down about 30%, im breaking "worst month for a decade" records every month now in terms of revenue.
Also noticed almost all sales are now low value SODs not subscriptions. Previously subs made up 90% of sales.
The same thing is happening to me unfortunately. I also stopped selling my bestsellers three months ago on SS and my earnings have decreased by 30-40%.
The only positive aspect is that I am selling the new files, something that is not happening on Adobe Stock.
Usually, in the last two years, I am sending 100 photographs per month (only photos, no videos, no AI). This September I sold about 60 images on Shutterstock created from August 1st onwards ... while the opposite is happening on Adobe, where I only sold 2 photos sent in the same period.
So, now on SS I sell the new files, while on AS only the old ones ... 3 months ago it was the opposite. Unfortunately with these algorithm changes I am losing $300-400 per month ... and I am full time and this is not a good thing. :(
For me the number of downloads increased almost 80-90% compared with last year, I uploaded this year probably 5% more images and videos and I see a trend that the new files are sold more often and some of the old files from 5-6-7 years ago are starting to sell for the first time but as well I lost some of the best sellers, they don't show up on the first page anymore but overall I'm happy since my earning are growing and this month again its going for the BME regarding earnings and downloads.
Quote from: gnirtS on September 22, 2024, 12:19
Also noticed almost all sales are now low value SODs not subscriptions. Previously subs made up 90% of sales.
Yes, same for me. Nearly no subs and almost all sales are now OD or SO.
Perhaps the sub people have moved to IS or AS or somewhere else, like those horrid places like Freepik. Anyone who contributes to Freepik is cutting their own (and our) subscription sales at SS, by direct competition.
Quote from: Bauman on September 22, 2024, 14:14
Quote from: gnirtS on September 22, 2024, 12:19
No however for me the algorithm appears to have changed. Previously about 90% of my stuff sold was older content (3 years or older). The last few months its shifted to about 75% of newer content (3 years or even a few months) vs older. Ive never seen that before.
Sales volume is down about 30%, im breaking "worst month for a decade" records every month now in terms of revenue.
Also noticed almost all sales are now low value SODs not subscriptions. Previously subs made up 90% of sales.
The same thing is happening to me unfortunately. I also stopped selling my bestsellers three months ago on SS and my earnings have decreased by 30-40%.
The only positive aspect is that I am selling the new files, something that is not happening on Adobe Stock.
Usually, in the last two years, I am sending 100 photographs per month (only photos, no videos, no AI). This September I sold about 60 images on Shutterstock created from August 1st onwards ... while the opposite is happening on Adobe, where I only sold 2 photos sent in the same period.
So, now on SS I sell the new files, while on AS only the old ones ... 3 months ago it was the opposite. Unfortunately with these algorithm changes I am losing $300-400 per month ... and I am full time and this is not a good thing. :(
The algorithm has definitely changed. I'm a long term contributor, and had images on page one of some search results, which sold almost daily. Now they are nowhere to be seen. However, the images they've been replaced with are very recent uploads, so the search currently appears to be skewed to favour new content, rather than older, popular images. I also have some new images that have sold a few times, and these are on page one of the search.
It looks as if Shutterstock wants us to keep feeding the beast.
I'm guessing they've done this to counterbalance the removal of the option to search by 'New'. Perhaps if they stopped accepting rubbish, they could switch this back on, but I'm pretty sure searching by 'new' would be an embarrassment at the moment.
As a result, my September earnings are way down.
I haven't uploaded images since October 2023 to Shutterstock but am considering restarting given Adobe Stock's review taken forever.
I haven't uploaded to SS since September 2023,it's been a year,and I can say that as far as I'm concerned I made the right choice,Shutterstock is dead for me.
this month so far I have made 600% more on Adobe than on SS not counting the Firefly bonus,with the Firefly bonus I get around 1100% more,compared to SS.
Shutterstock continues to be my best seller.
So far this year, I've sold 3.5 times more images on SS than on AS and made 3.25 times more revenue.
That said, I've stopped uploading to AS because approval takes months and is extremely inconsistent. 99% of my uploads to SS are approved in less than 48 hours.
Quote from: Jaggy on September 24, 2024, 14:06
Shutterstock continues to be my best seller.
So far this year, I've sold 3.5 times more images on SS than on AS and made 3.25 times more revenue.
That said, I've stopped uploading to AS because approval takes months and is extremely inconsistent. 99% of my uploads to SS are approved in less than 48 hours.
I feel the same, keep up the good work.
Shutterstock became very worst for me, Adobe stock is working well for me.
All of sudden sales and earnings on Shutterstock dropped this year, 40-60% earnings down.
After the earnings down...
Like some people said before, Shutterstock kept those earnings within limits. Not earning more than some limit.
If I earn near to that limit within first 20 days of a month, then Get very low earnings for next to days to not cross more than that limit.
If I earn very less than that limit in first 20-25 days. Then that last few days I am getting some good sales. But that don't cross the limit.
Anyone feeling or experiencing the same?
Till last year, I earned more in Shutterstock than Adobe stock every month.
This year, completely opposite. Adobe stock earnings more than Shutterstock earnings every month.
For video it's just awful and continues to decline.
I continue to upload some decent stuff, but revenue always stays within a certain bracket which I can never seem to break out of.
It's almost as if there's a throttle and when I get one decent sale the algorithm says 'right, that's all you're getting for the month' and the tap turns off.
I personally think someone's really f*ckn around with the search results and contributor exposure.
Very discouraging.
Quote from: Ambu on October 31, 2024, 00:43
Shutterstock became very worst for me, Adobe stock is working well for me.
All of sudden sales and earnings on Shutterstock dropped this year, 40-60% earnings down.
After the earnings down...
Like some people said before, Shutterstock kept those earnings within limits. Not earning more than some limit.
I only wish they would do that for me. Feb/March are triple what Jan and other months are. June way up, July and August dropped down. There's nothing even or limited.
For me SS has outperformed AS several months this year, incl. October despite FireFly bonus and Extended License on AS.
Dismissing SS is premature IMHO. But to each their own.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on October 31, 2024, 19:27
Quote from: Ambu on October 31, 2024, 00:43
Shutterstock became very worst for me, Adobe stock is working well for me.
All of sudden sales and earnings on Shutterstock dropped this year, 40-60% earnings down.
After the earnings down...
Like some people said before, Shutterstock kept those earnings within limits. Not earning more than some limit.
I only wish they would do that for me. Feb/March are triple what Jan and other months are. June way up, July and August dropped down. There's nothing even or limited.
I said that's happening to me after decreasing earnings by 40-50%
Are you happy if your earnings decreased by 50% from what you earnings now, and then they keep those earnings in that 50% limit?
Quote from: blvdone on July 02, 2023, 13:36
Quote from: Brasilnut on June 29, 2023, 13:05
I interviewed Doug Jensen, veteran stock footage contributor, with a portfolio of 9,187.
Question: In terms of sales volumes and revenue, have you experienced a decrease in the past two years since our last interview?
Answer: "If you define "sales volume" as being the total number of clips that are sold, then that number has remained fairly consistent since we last spoke. Unfortunately, my revenue, which is ultimately the metric that matters most, has dropped by more than 50% during that same time period. I attribute this to two things: First, Shutterstock made a lot of changes to their commission structure that have hurt contributors. And second, Shutterstock is really pushing customers towards a subscription-based sales model which results in overall lower pricing per clip — thus lower revenue for the contributors who created those clips.
Here's how I see it: If a customer pays an agency $50, does it really matter to the agency whether that $50 covers a single download or a hundred downloads? $50 is $50 of income to the agency no matter how you slice it. But the agency didn't put any effort whatsoever into shooting, editing, uploading, or creating the metadata, so they don't really care whether that $50 covers one download or a hundred downloads. It's still $50 of income (minus the commission) to their bottom line. But to the average contributor, it is devastating because we only get a very small slice of that $50 if the customer is downloading multiple files. The way the subscription model works, the more clips a customer downloads, the less money any individual contributor will get for their slice of the pie. The bottom line is that when you have agencies that are offering customers unlimited 4K and HD downloads for as little as $50 per month, who do you think loses? The contributor."
Link to full interview:
https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2023/06/28/interview-with-doug-jensen-stock-footage-expert-fresh-insight-after-2-years/
"That dude used to attack me when I criticized Shutterstock on Shutterstock's contributor forum. Now he's suffering the same fate as everybody else huh."... I had completely forgotten about Shutterstock's forum. That certainly went away fast after they lowered our commissions.
Quote from: zeljkok on November 01, 2024, 00:58
For me SS has outperformed AS several months this year, incl. October despite FireFly bonus and Extended License on AS.
Dismissing SS is premature IMHO. But to each their own.
i'm seeing this too. for months (maybe a year) adobe was about 5x shutterstock but starting around may ss starting catching up. oct is the first month where ss beat as (by about 50%). i, like many others, was prepared to dismiss them after months of minuscule sales but now that they are competitive i think you're right.
Quote from: yuriy on November 01, 2024, 14:47
Quote from: zeljkok on November 01, 2024, 00:58
For me SS has outperformed AS several months this year, incl. October despite FireFly bonus and Extended License on AS.
Dismissing SS is premature IMHO. But to each their own.
i'm seeing this too. for months (maybe a year) adobe was about 5x shutterstock but starting around may ss starting catching up. oct is the first month where ss beat as (by about 50%). i, like many others, was prepared to dismiss them after months of minuscule sales but now that they are competitive i think you're right.
10 years ago the SS paid
a minimum $35us per HD sale. I guess today's generation of contributors are far more happy with sales versus income. :'(
I think SS changed the search algorithm for pictures/videos again from 1st of November, I was checking a lot in the last months where my files where located in the pages and for the last 3-4 months they prioritize the new files which jumped my sales a lot, over 100 assets on daily basis, now I see they went back to the most downloaded assets back on the front pages, I already see an impact, curios if anybody else saw any impact in volume of sales for the 1st of November compared with the last months.
Quote from: DaLiu on November 02, 2024, 16:15
I think SS changed the search algorithm for pictures/videos again from 1st of November, I was checking a lot in the last months where my files where located in the pages and for the last 3-4 months they prioritize the new files which jumped my sales a lot, over 100 assets on daily basis, now I see they went back to the most downloaded assets back on the front pages, I already see an impact, curios if anybody else saw any impact in volume of sales for the 1st of November compared with the last months.
I probably don't have your volume of sales but, from what I can see, November sales, so far, are the usual mix of old and new material. Overall, I've increased my portfolio by 21% this year (32% last year) and sales are on track to be up around 25%-30% for 2024. Revenue is already up 33% over 2023.
Quote from: Asthebelltolls on November 01, 2024, 15:57
Quote from: yuriy on November 01, 2024, 14:47
Quote from: zeljkok on November 01, 2024, 00:58
For me SS has outperformed AS several months this year, incl. October despite FireFly bonus and Extended License on AS.
Dismissing SS is premature IMHO. But to each their own.
i'm seeing this too. for months (maybe a year) adobe was about 5x shutterstock but starting around may ss starting catching up. oct is the first month where ss beat as (by about 50%). i, like many others, was prepared to dismiss them after months of minuscule sales but now that they are competitive i think you're right.
10 years ago the SS paid a minimum $35us per HD sale. I guess today's generation of contributors are far more happy with sales versus income. :'(
having trouble understanding your point but i am happy that SS is paying me more this month than all the months that came before. i haven't found a way to go back to 10 years ago yet but let me know if you have a good strategy.
Their point was probably that today' contributors are just glad to get a sale, regardless of actual $ amount.
But decline is not pertinent only to SS. In old days $$$ sales on places like Alamy were common, even occasional 4 figure sale. This is just general fall of the industry as a whole, because of content saturation and now AI generative engines trying to stamp final nail in the artist coffin. SS is just one player.
at the end of the day everyone has to decide for themselves if they want to continue contributing to microstock agencies at the current rates of pay. i know it was better before but there doesn't seem to be a convenient way to go back to that time. most of us on the forum in 2024 are here because we are still contributing despite the lower pay. a few folks here and other places have recently recognized that SS has been earning more, much more than when this thread started. in my option it is becoming relevant again, by today's standards, even if it will never earn what it did in 2016 ever again.
After SS cut the contributor rates, I never submitted again. I started at SS in 2012 and with less than 1,000 photos and no video I was making a consistent $200-$300/month from 2014 until 2019. After the executive bandits arrived (2020 and left 2022?) sales dropped below $100/month and now I don't even reach payout (<$25) some months. Hasn't cost me any effort at all since I stopped submitting, so anything my now 'vintage' archive brings is free money.
I forget the name of the CEO (or whatever title he had) who ushered in the crushing of contributor earnings but he must have made out like a bandit with all his stock options.....and within a couple of years he was gone...greener pastures on the horizon and thanks for all the folding greenery in my pocket!
I knew it would happen eventually, but after 19 years, I finally quit uploading to Shutterstock. As with many of you, sales have been sliding downhill for years. Rather than making more than all other sites combined, they are now just another middle tier. And a few weeks ago, for whatever reason, they went from accepting 99% of my submissions, they have been rejecting 90%. This tipped them way over on the trouble/worth scale. Over the last few years I have culled my agencies down considerably and now there are 4. It wouldn't take much incentive to do something I thought I'd never do and go exclusive with Adobe.
Quote from: OM on November 06, 2024, 16:26
After SS cut the contributor rates, I never submitted again. I started at SS in 2012 and with less than 1,000 photos and no video I was making a consistent $200-$300/month from 2014 until 2019. After the executive bandits arrived (2020 and left 2022?) sales dropped below $100/month and now I don't even reach payout (<$25) some months. Hasn't cost me any effort at all since I stopped submitting, so anything my now 'vintage' archive brings is free money.
I forget the name of the CEO (or whatever title he had) who ushered in the crushing of contributor earnings but he must have made out like a bandit with all his stock options.....and within a couple of years he was gone...greener pastures on the horizon and thanks for all the folding greenery in my pocket!
You're right. Two years and out.
Stan Pavlovsky, announced as Chief Executive Officer. He will also join the Board of Directors and, Jon Oringer, currently Chief Executive Officer, who will be Executive Chairman of the Board. These changes are effective April 1, 2020.
The new earnings structure was announced to take effect June 1, 2020. Included with that. all contributors will be reset to level 1 for both images and videos every year on January 1st, 2021. (Instead of 25c minimum and rewards for selling more, lifetime, the minimum is now 10¢)
Level 1: Up to 100 (15%)
Level 2: 101 to 250 (20%)
Level 3: 251 to 500 (25%)
Level 4: 501 to 2,500 (30%)
Level 5: 2,501 to 25,000 (35%)
Level 6: Over 25,000 (40%)
Paul Hennessy was named Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2022. Mr. Hennessy, a Company Board member since 2015, succeeds Jon Oringer, Shutterstock's founder, who is currently serving as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Oringer will remain as Executive Chairman of the Board.
"SSTK's top-line growth has largely been driven by acquisitions, a trend that may not continue, as management has indicated a plan to maintain these costs as recurring expenses for the next several years. This reliance on acquisitions, combined with
a gradual decline in subscriber numbers and revenue per subscriber metrics, signals a troubling trend that management has not adequately addressed." https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/topstocks/shutterstock-inc-sstk-a-bear-case-theory/ar-AA1tCwSF?ocid=BingNewsSerp (https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/topstocks/shutterstock-inc-sstk-a-bear-case-theory/ar-AA1tCwSF?ocid=BingNewsSerp)
SSTK stock Round numbers:
June 2020 $38 a share
June 2021 $91
June 2022 $59 (Stan gone)
June 2023 $49
June 2024 $38
today $29 a share
We paid for that boom along with the popularity of SSTK as a hot and growing stock. The value has come back down to reality. The article above which is recent, says there might be an interest in selling SSTK short, which means, in effect, betting that the price is going to drop further.
Now that Shutterstock has taken all the value out of what it costs to pay us, and they have invested in buying other companies and branched out, they are in trouble.Or maybe, if I want to be kinder and more positive, they are going to level off at some point. I still get a laugh out of the most recent earnings call, where they said "we aren't losing money as fast as we were" which is supposed to be a positive?
One more prediction is, the stock may fall to under $20 a share. "Furthermore, data from ALTD shows a notable decline in e-commerce sales that contradicts management's assertions, further validating the bearish thesis.
Concerns regarding management integrity are heightened by prior misrepresentations about the performance of their e-commerce segment, which raises questions about the reliability of their segment reporting and overall transparency. These factors collectively suggest that SSTK is at a critical juncture, reinforcing the case for a short position in light of the deteriorating fundamentals and management's failure to acknowledge the broader challenges facing the business."
Anyone who thinks SS is their best earner and will continue to be that, might want to brace for the future. Things will get worse and may never get better. Microstock is not making a comeback. AI and Adobe are growing and earning, maybe including that in your future plans would be a good idea.
Quote from: dbvirago on November 19, 2024, 16:02... Over the last few years I have culled my agencies down considerably and now there are 4. It wouldn't take much incentive to do something I thought I'd never do and go exclusive with Adobe.
of course, you have to remove all your images on other sites, not just stop uploading
That is a good article.
The point about being intransparent about how the business is falling is important.
They have been trying to mask losing huge amounts of customers to Adobe by buying up agencies. But since they are not addressing the underlying issues why customers and producers are leaving them, the problem is only getting worse.
They need a completely new management that is sincerely interested at growing the core business.
Or they could just sell themselves to Getty or Adobe if the share price keeps falling.
Of course they can keep cruising down for a few years, it is not something that will happen overnight.
Here is the twitter feed
https://x.com/Fierce__beast/status/1834341574219534648
Quote from: cascoly on November 19, 2024, 20:53
Quote from: dbvirago on November 19, 2024, 16:02... Over the last few years I have culled my agencies down considerably and now there are 4. It wouldn't take much incentive to do something I thought I'd never do and go exclusive with Adobe.
of course, you have to remove all your images on other sites, not just stop uploading
No, I didn't mean be exclusive to them, but have all future images exclusive to them. Some site, don't remember which, used to pay better for images that were exclusive. I have 34K images on SS. It would take a lot to incent me to delete them all.
For videos, SS consistently remains my top earner.
It is unclear why the authors' income has decreased. It seems that buyers are leaving Shutterstock, but why.
Quote from: stoker2014 on November 20, 2024, 08:16
It is unclear why the authors' income has decreased. It seems that buyers are leaving Shutterstock, but why.
Maybe because they are accepting loads of rubbish images and the search is awful? I'm guessing customers that have relied on Shutterstock for years, can't find what they want and are jumping ship.
A lot of new high quality content is missing. The ports that used to make 6k a month from SS alone, if they drop to below a thousand or maybe even just a few hundred..why should they keep sending their expensive people productions to ss.?
A lot of quality content is now going mostly to Adobe or exclusive to Getty premium.
And both Adobe and Getty have large exclusive collections, getty with real photos, adobe mostly with ai.
Millions of files ss simply does not have.
They still have the largest video collection especially with the p5 exclusive collection. Also editorial is still good.
But if Adobe or Getty ever decide they also want to become great with video and make a real push promoting it, how long will clients keep buying from ss.
And how long until those 60% exclusive royalties on ss disappear?
Exciting news is coming, just a matter of time.
I guess the worst is still yet to come, hold onto your hats.
In bad times It's always nice to take a look at their stock price, especially the jump in 2021 at our expense and then...that beautiful slider ;D
Quote from: stoker2014 on November 20, 2024, 08:16
It is unclear why the authors' income has decreased. It seems that buyers are leaving Shutterstock, but why.
My subscription sales started disappearing back in July this month next to nothing.
Single and others going for 10 to 15 cents.
SS are a ghost of what they used to be.
Quote from: Mimi the Cat on November 20, 2024, 16:05
Quote from: stoker2014 on November 20, 2024, 08:16
It is unclear why the authors' income has decreased. It seems that buyers are leaving Shutterstock, but why.
My subscription sales started disappearing back in July this month next to nothing.
Single and others going for 10 to 15 cents.
SS are a ghost of what they used to be.
Went from 75% of my stock income to 15%, then they decided to reject everything. I think AI is running management now.
I have to rant again,
November is shaping up to be one of my worst ever at SS.
All the algorithm wants to do is sell just one of my videos, it's bizarre.
Adobe frequently sells both my new and old vids, while recognizing the better ones which sell even more.
The weighting at SS is definitely off. All it needs is a small adjustment and it could make such a difference, so frustrating.
What's the point in uploading more content there?
Quote from: Mimi the Cat on November 20, 2024, 16:05
Quote from: stoker2014 on November 20, 2024, 08:16
It is unclear why the authors' income has decreased. It seems that buyers are leaving Shutterstock, but why.
My subscription sales started disappearing back in July this month next to nothing.
Single and others going for 10 to 15 cents.
SS are a ghost of what they used to be.
My port has moved from about 85% sub sales to 75% "single" sales of a similar value.
From that i guess they have fewer subscription buyers than before.
Quote from: gnirtS on November 26, 2024, 14:20
My port has moved from about 85% sub sales to 75% "single" sales of a similar value.
From that i guess they have fewer subscription buyers than before.
Mine as well, even more than 75%. Who knows what they did with their licensing model. At the end it doesn't really matter, end $ is similar which is the only thing that really matters to us.
Quote from: stocker2011 on November 26, 2024, 13:39
I have to rant again,
November is shaping up to be one of my worst ever at SS.
All the algorithm wants to do is sell just one of my videos, it's bizarre.
Adobe frequently sells both my new and old vids, while recognizing the better ones which sell even more.
The weighting at SS is definitely off. All it needs is a small adjustment and it could make such a difference, so frustrating.
What's the point in uploading more content there?
Historically, November is a slow month for me at SS. However, compared to November 2023, sales for this November are up by 47% and revenue is up by 40% and still a few days to go.
Hasn't been worth uploading to SS for ages now because new photos just aren't selling, I just get repeat DLs for the same old photos often for 10c but not all the time. adobe on the other hand has improved certainly this year since I could upload brand editorial. I got more money some months on AS than SS despite having less than half the number of images on there. Same I cannot earn more at this kind of thing because I cannot get a normal day job due to my eyesight problem. They even ignore my education I had in the past.
Quote from: TonyD on December 25, 2024, 00:35
Hasn't been worth uploading to SS for ages now because new photos just aren't selling,
You can speak for yourself, the new photos are selling very good if you produce the right quality, my downloads doubled this year compared with last year on SS and the new material is selling very well for me.
Quote from: DaLiu on December 25, 2024, 15:56
Quote from: TonyD on December 25, 2024, 00:35
Hasn't been worth uploading to SS for ages now because new photos just aren't selling,
You can speak for yourself, the new photos are selling very good if you produce the right quality, my downloads doubled this year compared with last year on SS and the new material is selling very well for me.
I find some of each. New photos that catch on, do just as well as the old.
Also the easy sales for new photos, aren't what they used to be. But that's because instead of being one new photo in thousands, for that day, I'd be one new in hundreds of thousands. Same thing for competition. When the agencies had 50 million images, we could sell more. Now they have 500 Million. Logically, nothing will sell as many or as much.
But you're right, something new, top quality, will eventually sell.
I don't think there is special distinction between "new" and "old" photos on SS. It's demand and downloads. When a "new" photo catches up, it gets higher and higher. I uploaded this shot fairly recently and for some reason really took off on SS, multiple downloads almost daily - while on others, incl. Adobe, barely gets a sniff
(https://www.shutterstock.com/shutterstock/photos/2475444311/display_1500/stock-photo-dinosaur-skeleton-bones-in-sand-near-moqui-cave-paleontology-museum-in-southern-utah-us-2475444311.jpg)
The last few months new stuff appears to be selling far more than it was prior to that for a long time so i suspect something changed.
Ive had a few images take off including one that now seems to be a daily seller (for no clear reason that i can see, its average at best). I havent seen that for a new image for several years.
RSM Subscription Dec.01, 2024 - Subscription Plan $0.005 $0 (0%) $0.005
Does anyone know how much this is on Depositphotos?
Quote from: gnirtS on December 26, 2024, 01:49
The last few months new stuff appears to be selling far more than it was prior to that for a long time so i suspect something changed.
Ive had a few images take off including one that now seems to be a daily seller (for no clear reason that i can see, its average at best). I havent seen that for a new image for several years.
This largely matches my experience on SS. Dec '24 is already more than double than Dec '23, most months as well. Basically back to "pre 10 cents" level. Still trailing Adobe though
Im way down on Dec 2023 but that was because i had several highly unusual $900 sales. Take those off and on average yes its better.
(But still 50% or so what it was in 2022 to 2017).
Tap on Tap off.
2025 appears to be following the same trend as 2024, tap turns on for the 1st week then they turn it off again for the rest of the month.
Every single month it's the same pattern for me.
shutterstock sales have been pathetic lately, are others seeing the same thing? adobe is currently 3x for me in feb, same thing in jan.
For my CGI video port it's just a downward spiral at SS, breaking new records every month.
Adobe Stock seems to be maintaining but not as good as it used to be. istock is the only one that has seen an improvement since late last year.
I have a mix portfolio with images and videos but this month I see a big downfall in video sales, volum of sales for images is ok for this month but RPD is lower than expected.
Unfortunately I agree with DaLiu and Stocker2011.
I don't have video, but my images on SS are hitting their lowest point as RPD. This February only $0.39. In 2024 it was $0.75.
The number of sales on the other hand is always good. It seems that the high-priced sales have disappeared. And this is a big problem for full-time people like me.
Also because Adobe is weak and does not recover what I lose on SS. Even on Adobe the RPD is down.
The total RPD of February after 12 days is $0.59. The lowest month in over 15 years of stock.
Same here - I have the feeling that we are experiencing the melt down of the whole microstock industry.
The fact that Shutterstock is now merging with iStock only confirms my impression....
Quote from: cruiser on February 13, 2025, 11:04
Same here - I have the feeling that we are experiencing the melt down of the whole microstock industry.
The fact that Shutterstock is now merging with iStock only confirms my impression....
For me, both volumes and average prices are at 10-year lows. But then again I'm not uploading much new stuff to micros so that may be a factor.
My February RPD improved today.
From 0.39 it increased to 0.40! 8)
For me, volume on Shutterstock is pretty good and well ahead of this point in 2024. RPD, however, is poor so far and well behind 2024. So plenty of low value sales and I need a few higher value ones to pull the RPD up. But early days still.
Quote from: Jaggy on February 13, 2025, 15:42
For me, volume on Shutterstock is pretty good and well ahead of this point in 2024. RPD, however, is poor so far and well behind 2024. So plenty of low value sales and I need a few higher value ones to pull the RPD up. But early days still.
why care about RPD?
would you rather have an RPD of .90 and sales of $50 or an RPD of .25 and $100 sales?
What really matters in the end is the bottom line.
RPD is one way of understanding changes to the bottom line - double your images and double your sales but bottom line is unchanged - it probably is because the RPD has dropped. If you double your images and sales number doesn't change but RPD is the same - it is probably due to falling sales per image and not RPD.
Of course, in reality sales per image are dropping along with RPD for most contributors.
RPE - Return Per Effort would be a better metric, but also a lot harder to see and chart.
Quote from: pancaketom on February 13, 2025, 22:55
What really matters in the end is the bottom line.
RPD is one way of understanding changes to the bottom line - double your images and double your sales but bottom line is unchanged - it probably is because the RPD has dropped. If you double your images and sales number doesn't change but RPD is the same - it is probably due to falling sales per image and not RPD. ....
but the RPD is irrelevant - your examples are correct, but cherry picked - my AS RPD has always been 2-3x SS RPD but SS h as consistently produced 2x the $ which is the only metric I'm concerned with.
i submit same images to both, but many fewer accepted by AS since they don't take editorial (i do try to not upload editorials to AS but sometimes it's just easier to l et them reject them, since AS often accepts images (cafes, crowd scenes, people in bkgd ) that SS considers editorial
bottom line - SS pays more bills than AS, no matter what the RPD says. everything else is window dressing & bragging rights
you're right, rpd by itself doesn't matter but rpd times volume is your bottom line. for me and i think many others volume is a little higher on shutterstock but the rpd is so low that the bottom line is much less $ than adobe. i think we can all agree that $ in the bank is what matters at the end of the day.
RPD matters because it represents the average price that you sell your work for. Microstock is a business and, in a business, you can't work out if you are making money if you don't know what your sales price is.
Quote from: Jaggy on February 14, 2025, 15:00
RPD matters because it represents the average price that you sell your work for. Microstock is a business and, in a business, you can't work out if you are making money if you don't know what your sales price is.
you need more than sales price to determine if you're making money. again, my AS RPD is 2-3x that of SS but SS brings in more cash , often 2x or more.
so reporting JUST RPD is meaningless - at best, it's only half the equation - you need to consider actual income = RPD * sales.
Quote from: cascoly on February 14, 2025, 21:13
Quote from: Jaggy on February 14, 2025, 15:00
RPD matters because it represents the average price that you sell your work for. Microstock is a business and, in a business, you can't work out if you are making money if you don't know what your sales price is.
you need more than sales price to determine if you're making money. again, my AS RPD is 2-3x that of SS but SS brings in more cash , often 2x or more.
so reporting JUST RPD is meaningless - at best, it's only half the equation - you need to consider actual income = RPD * sales.
Or actual income is = Total pay from sales minus expenses? :) Or $$$ - Cost of doing business!
RPD, RPI, acceptance rate, how many images, sales per image, sales % of portfolio and pretty much anything else someone can come up with, (oh yeah almost forgot Position) is just a way to see how images or agencies are preforming. You said it, the only real answer in the end is, how much did I put in the bank. (or spend on scotch and more camera gear)
Hardly anything ever gets to the bank.
I picked this up last week. A Loupedeck+
(https://i.postimg.cc/LXbdfQX8/loupedeck-websize.jpg)
Not sure why, except it seemed like a good idea.
Quote from: Jaggy on February 14, 2025, 15:00
RPD matters because it represents the average price that you sell your work for. Microstock is a business and, in a business, you can't work out if you are making money if you don't know what your sales price is.
Well, if you look at it that way, RPD is as important as volume. Both go together in terms of earnings. And earnings in relation to effort is what really counts if you see it as a business. In other words, how much do I earn at an agency against which effort. In that regard, submitting to Adobe or Shutterstock is more or less comparable. iStock requires more effort Motion Array even more.
But of course, there are emotions involved too. Selling your content via microstock agencies is per definition degrading your work. We all hate the 10 cents at Shutterstock, but are the 38 cents at Adobe so much better in terms of valuing your work? Still pennies, and the only way to get something out of it is having volume.
In the end, what keeps us going, is the payout at the end of the month. Businesswise, I don't care whether it's done via high volumes on low RPD's or high RPD's on low volumes. Emotionally, I prefer higher RPD's on lower volumes, but then again, is it really a difference in terms of getting treated respectfully or getting recognition for your work? Not for me. If you want your work to be valued emotionally, then Microstock is not the right place for you.
Quote from: Roscoe on February 14, 2025, 22:03
...
Well, if you look at it that way, RPD is as important as volume. Both go together in terms of
earnings. And earnings in relation to effort is what really counts if you see it as a business. In other words, how much do I earn at an ency against which effort. In that regard, submitting to Adobe or Shutterstock is more or less comparable. iStock requires more effort Motion Array even more. ...
again, RPD is worthless as a measure of usefulness or performance- my RPD from alamy is $30 but actual % of my income is < 5%. similarly, pond RPD has varied from $2 to $15 but overall income is again < 10% since actual sales (ie INCOME) is just a blip (tho welcome) on monthly sales
if RPD were important i'd be concentrating on alamy & pond rather than AS & SS which provide 90% of my income. i heartily endorse those who make their decisions based on RPD since it pays for my additional international travel!
Quote from: cascoly on February 15, 2025, 02:24
Quote from: Roscoe on February 14, 2025, 22:03
...
Well, if you look at it that way, RPD is as important as volume. Both go together in terms of
earnings. And earnings in relation to effort is what really counts if you see it as a business. In other words, how much do I earn at an ency against which effort. In that regard, submitting to Adobe or Shutterstock is more or less comparable. iStock requires more effort Motion Array even more. ...
again, RPD is worthless as a measure of usefulness or performance- my RPD from alamy is $30 but actual % of my income is < 5%. similarly, pond RPD has varied from $2 to $15 but overall income is again < 10% since actual sales (ie INCOME) is just a blip (tho welcome) on monthly sales
if RPD were important i'd be concentrating on alamy & pond rather than AS & SS which provide 90% of my income. i heartily endorse those who make their decisions based on RFD since it pays for my additional international travel!
But I am concentrating on Alamy? ;D Yes, of course and this is what it all comes down to in these threads. Alamy has a wonderful RPD IF someone gets a download. SSTK has the worst RPD but for many had higher volume. (that's ended now, from what I see) Adobe has the best mix of downloads and RPD for many people. iStock is a mystery. For what used to be the top agency, they went downhill, until (for me) they are doing slightly better than DT.
Wirestock, for
all others, all the agencies where I don't want to have an account, I only have 500 images or so, and I make more there than IS or DT. The RPD is scary bad, but the all others, and the $30 minimum, I get paid, makes up for that. I may have never made payout at 123RF or Envato or DP, but just by having the old collection, on WS, I get "Free Money" from all the deadbeat agencies.
The other problem and I've said this for years, all agencies don't accept the same images, some sell different types better than others. I sell many more Illustrations on Adobe than SSTK. IS seems to sell anything, but the problem is, low RPD and low volume. Alamy is all kinds of things that none of the previous do well on.
Anyone who's comparing RPD, RPI or pick your stat, and they have a different number of images, different images or video, different styles, and then compares agency A to Agency B, isn't using comparable data. And especially when someone says, SSTK is much better than Adobe, and someone else says, Adobe is much better than SSTK, the point is, we don't have the same images, subjects, or numbers. My numbers are nearly worthless to anyone else, and visa versa.
SSTK 5,500 images, RPD for 2024 was $0.65
Adobe 1,041 images, RPD for 2024 was $0.87 And total I made 3 times more money from Adobe
Quote from: cascoly on February 14, 2025, 00:43
bottom line - SS pays more bills than AS, no matter what the RPD says. everything else is window dressing & bragging rights
And yes, I agree, except Adobe pays more bills than SSTK, and all the letters and numbers are mostly, after the fact, observations, that don't really change sales? It's like looking at the weather. Watching doesn't change it.
Besides the stats and bragging and watching, the most important part of this, for anyone who's actually trying to make some money, isn't RPD, RPI, or position, rank or any of the other junk stats. The heart of the business is, what sells the most, what sells best, and where. Then recognizing the market demands, and creating more of that kind of material.
ps I just passed 7,000 images on Alamy. I expect I'll make more money this year, than when I had 5,000 images last year. Of course my expectations don't mean anything to the buyers. They only care about their needs. ;D
One Alamy DL is equal to an entire month of iStock. I just need to get up to one DL a month on Alamy, to have things balance. Otherwise 1,087 images on IS is making me more than 7,000+ images on Alamy. $$$ to DLs I'll take Alamy over IS for now.
Have to agree with the above.
My January SS wasn't too bad even with the levels reset (not as good as before but better than any Jan under the "new" system.
Feb im seeing the same download numbers but despite having levelled up, ALL the sales are tiny. Im under half the RPD for last month.
Absolutely everything is a low value SOD or Sub. I have "sold" 2 videos though.... at $0.25 each.
Quote from: gnirtS on February 16, 2025, 09:15
Have to agree with the above.
My January SS wasn't too bad even with the levels reset (not as good as before but better than any Jan under the "new" system.
Feb im seeing the same download numbers but despite having levelled up, ALL the sales are tiny. Im under half the RPD for last month.
Absolutely everything is a low value SOD or Sub. I have "sold" 2 videos though.... at $0.25 each.
Only SS (photo, no video)
Jan 2025 RPD $0.57
Feb 2025 RPD $0.41 (up to today)
RPD 2024 $0.75
Best month Jun 2024 RPD $1.25
Worst month Feb 2024 RPD $0.45
February is going terribly for me too. But it happened last year too. It was the worst month of 2024.
Interesting - im seeing about $0.44 RPD for Feb as well (vs 0.77 or so for Jan) and thats despite level increases. For context December was $1.22 and November was $1.05. Last Feb was $0.78.
Most i know seem to have RPD dropping to the low 40c area this month. People not renewing subscriptions or packages? Another killer SS giveaway or sale?
Quote from: cascoly on February 15, 2025, 02:24
Quote from: Roscoe on February 14, 2025, 22:03
...
Well, if you look at it that way, RPD is as important as volume. Both go together in terms of
earnings. And earnings in relation to effort is what really counts if you see it as a business. In other words, how much do I earn at an ency against which effort. In that regard, submitting to Adobe or Shutterstock is more or less comparable. iStock requires more effort Motion Array even more. ...
again, RPD is worthless as a measure of usefulness or performance- my RPD from alamy is $30 but actual % of my income is < 5%. similarly, pond RPD has varied from $2 to $15 but overall income is again < 10% since actual sales (ie INCOME) is just a blip (tho welcome) on monthly sales
if RPD were important i'd be concentrating on alamy & pond rather than AS & SS which provide 90% of my income. i heartily endorse those who make their decisions based on RPD since it pays for my additional international travel!
Here's what counts:
(https://i.postimg.cc/CL5rFp7m/money-counting-money.gif)
This is all that stats are, most of the time:
(https://i.postimg.cc/wMZPm9Q5/matrix-code.gif)
People are worshiping the stat Oracle, instead of the money and the images. Are we in business for money or for stats?
The only way to divine future sales is by carefully studying WHAT sells, and where, not what numbers things sell for, rank, position or trying to game the algorithm for better sales. scientia et sapientia
Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 17, 2025, 18:30
People are worshiping the stat Oracle, instead of the money and the images. Are we in business for money or for stats?
I think that to understand WHAT sells, WHERE sells, and HOW sells you need only one thing: numbers. Data analysis.
50% of what I earned is due to my images' quality and 50% from data analysis. Every type of data is important for something.
I think I sell much more than you, I have almost 20 years of experience in this business.
If you do it as a hobby and I do it for work, it's probably because you haven't taken care of the analysis of agency sales, your competitors' sales and the sales of your images. In addition to not improving the quality of your images. 8)
i heard you guys like metrics, well i've got a new one:
days of less than $1 in sales.
adobe so far in feb had 2 while shutterstock has 8. definitely winning.
(yes i know one day of $10000 sales is better than 9999 days of $1 sales but it's not a trend i'm enjoying, i haven't had a bigger sale on ss in months anyway)
Quote from: Bauman on February 17, 2025, 18:46
Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 17, 2025, 18:30
People are worshiping the stat Oracle, instead of the money and the images. Are we in business for money or for stats?
I think that to understand WHAT sells, WHERE sells, and HOW sells you need only one thing: numbers. Data analysis.
50% of what I earned is due to my images' quality and 50% from data analysis. Every type of data is important for something.
I think I sell much more than you, I have almost 20 years of experience in this business.
If you do it as a hobby and I do it for work, it's probably because you haven't taken care of the analysis of agency sales, your competitors' sales and the sales of your images. In addition to not improving the quality of your images. 8)
What sells and where, and analysis of that, is the answer. 8)
My point is about all that statistics, RPD, RPI, Position, Rank, where am I in the search, which don't do anything, we can't control and are only something to look at, after the fact.
Of course, good research, better images, knowing what sells and having more of that, is the right way to do this as a business. I hope you understand the difference? Stats don't go into the bank, they don't pay for more gear, they are just a distraction from making products and actually earning more.
Let me put it this way. If you watch an egg, rolling off a table, and falling to the floor, does that change what happens when it hits the ground? That's what all the stat watching does. Nothing to stop or change anything, it's just watching as things fall and break.
Watching what images sell and where and for how much, makes for interesting research into, what to make more of and where to sell it. But that's about content, markets, specifics. It's useful for predicting the future and building more sales and income, for the future.
Does that make more sense of what I'm trying to say?
Yes, it's a hobby for me. I try to make more and earn more, but it's not my living. If I was going to find some gig business, or tell someone else how to make some side money, Microstock would not be on my list. Maybe in 2010 it would have. But with the conditions, the market, the pay/commission, the competition from AI, theives and the image factories in third world countries? Nope.
I wish the best for everyone here, success and better earnings, but watching a ship sink or a building burn down, won't change what's happening, in fact. Stats will just point out, how sad it is to still work, upload and hope that I can make some spare change from Stock Photos. What happened to residual income? Building a larger portfolio, so I'd make more money over a period of time? How about that stat? ;D (it's the egg rolling off the edge of the table and V = gt, gravity makes the egg accelerate and smash into tiny bits, and a puddle, on the floor)
RPD income per license, RPI Income per image, total sales per agency, vs lower earnings, lower sales, less commissions = The Microstock Egg, falling, while we watch, and make notes, all kinds of stats, which aren't going to change anything in the end.
Yes, make better, smarter, more images, more things the buyers want. I agree with the people who look for needs and things that aren't covered well enough. I agree that niche images, are actually going to bring in some fair return for the effort,
some of the time. Research and knowledge are the answer, to the future, and moving forward. Looking backwards is a waste of time.
@Uncle Pete
I believe that all these numbers are useful to guide strategies.
Profit is a consequence of strategies.
I'll give you some examples.
I have always sold a lot on Shutterstock.
From my numbers I saw that Shutterstock's algorithm rewarded my very high quality photos. My best. With 10% of my photos (usually my best) I made 90% of my earnings.
So my strategy was: few photos, but they must be the very best.
I then made comparisons with the numbers of other contributors (these are similar numbers, useful for the example).
Me: 5,000 images $2000 on SS and $500 on AS
Others: 20,000 images $1000 on SS and $700 on AS
From here I see that Adobe Stock rewards quantity more and quality less. (Please note: this is for my portfolio compared to others in my niche)
Then I see that Shutterstock loses customers and Adobe gains them and I lose positions in the ranking.
So a year ago I changed my strategy, I increased the photos and worked a little less on retouching. My images have to be "good enough". And after a few months I'm getting my first results and my ranking (and my earnings on AS) has improved by 1500 positions.
The RPD can then be used to establish how many images you have to send per month to achieve your goal.
If my goal is $3000 per month I try to produce a set number of images each month based on the RPD. Every month I check how much the RPD of the images sent was in the last year or in the last 6 months.
Maybe you see me get angry if the RPD is not what I hoped for, because I had set the goal with a higher number. And this forces me to shoot more and work harder.
And this helps me to verify if a subject I photographed is better than another, to continue photographing it again or stop photographing it.
The more accurate the data analysis, the fewer mistakes you risk making.
Sorry for any mistakes, but it's Google Translate's fault ;)
Wow check this out... SSTK share price on 19 February 2025 (today) closed at just $26.96.
This is the lowest since 15 February 2013 - 12 years ago!
See image below and check their other periods at www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=sstk (http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=sstk) where every period is in the red.
Clearly their poor treatment of contributors has not helped Shutterstock Inc and when they turned off a lot of contributors, they just up and walked out the door... and a lot of customers walked out with them.
And here we are today with falling sales, commissions and earnings, and the terminal decline in SSTK share price.
Quote from: Pacesetter on February 20, 2025, 00:59
Wow check this out... SSTK share price on 19 February 2025 (today) closed at just $26.96.
This is the lowest since 15 February 2013 - 12 years ago!
See image below and check their other periods at www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=sstk (http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=sstk) where every period is in the red.
Clearly their poor treatment of contributors has not helped Shutterstock Inc and when they turned off a lot of contributors, they just up and walked out the door... and a lot of customers walked out with them.
And here we are today with falling sales, commissions and earnings, and the terminal decline in SSTK share price.
no support for any of that - if low payments to artists was a factor, would expect the stock to rise! many other factors at work, none related to the small number of artists who have withdrawn - competition, rise of aigen which SS has refused to accept, decreased demand... etc
Quote from: cascoly on February 20, 2025, 03:32
Quote from: Pacesetter on February 20, 2025, 00:59
Wow check this out... SSTK share price on 19 February 2025 (today) closed at just $26.96.
This is the lowest since 15 February 2013 - 12 years ago!
See image below and check their other periods at www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=sstk (http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=sstk) where every period is in the red.
Clearly their poor treatment of contributors has not helped Shutterstock Inc and when they turned off a lot of contributors, they just up and walked out the door... and a lot of customers walked out with them.
And here we are today with falling sales, commissions and earnings, and the terminal decline in SSTK share price.
no support for any of that - if low payments to artists was a factor, would expect the stock to rise! many other factors at work, none related to the small number of artists who have withdrawn - competition, rise of aigen which SS has refused to accept, decreased demand... etc
I don't want your support anyway, with your rantings at fellow members discussing their microstock data (on a microstock forum at that) I have no respect for your opinions and so I generally avoid talking directly to you.
Falling sales, commissions and earnings experienced by Shutterstock contributors is a direct result of falling sales, sales prices and revenue coming into the company, all of which is the result of their poor management. It's not rocket science.
Look, I didn't even mention 'RPD' in my posts!
Quote from: Pacesetter on February 20, 2025, 00:59
Clearly their poor treatment of contributors has not helped Shutterstock Inc and when they turned off a lot of contributors,
I dont see anything to suggest thats a factor. Treatment of contributors is irrelevant, they already have a big enough library and still have plenty of existing and new contributors (mainly stolen and ai content but thats another matter).
What is hurting them are their packages, pricing and customer facing service and policies. Lots of people are signing up, want 4 free images, get those (so contributors lose out) but then they're being stung with small print 100s of dollars cancellation fees so go elsewhere.
Their market are people signing up for a few free images with no intention of staying enrolled.
Quote from: Bauman on February 18, 2025, 21:25
@Uncle Pete
I believe that all these numbers are useful to guide strategies.
The more accurate the data analysis, the fewer mistakes you risk making.
Sorry for any mistakes, but it's Google Translate's fault ;)
Guiding strategy is what I was talking about, that is good and knowing the market, the trends an demands.
Watching some unreliable, inconsistent, unexplained "Position" that's only relative to others downloads (maybe?) that doesn't match our actual downloads or anything else, is a waste of time. Position is relative and only compares us to, others, where we don't know what they have uploaded or what they sold. The data is just a number.
There is no accurate data to analyze.
"I believe that all these numbers are useful to guide strategies."If you are looking at what sells, and where and for how much. Yes. The only way to see ahead.
Any errors are all mine, and I know I'm the one who made them. ;)
Actually one striking reason the stock has fallen is pretty simple. The Merger, makes it a dead corporation. No future, no gains, no potential.
The Merger terms: Shutterstock investors will receive $28.85 per share in cash for each share they own. However, Shutterstock shareholders can elect to receive GETY stock, or a combination of cash and stock as an alternative.
I could understand if someone paid the fees for buying the stock and the cost was under $28,85 a share. Small gains, but no point, because the stock is going to be deactivated. Maybe people are dumping their SSTK shares, because they don't want Getty stock? And I didn't find the cash and stock offer.
If the value of the Getty stock plus the cash, is $26.11 which is what SSTK is listed at right now, that all makes perfect sense.
Should I buy all the SSTK I can afford at $26 and then take the $28.85 a share and pay the short term capitol gains tax? A little help on this: Short-term capital gains tax is a tax on profits from the sale of an asset held for one year or less. Short-term capital gains are taxed according to your ordinary income tax bracket: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% or 37%.
So I buy SSTK for $26.11, 1,000 shares @ $26.11 for $26,110 plus the brokerage fees. If there's a merger, I get $28,850 for a profit of $2,740 then I pay 25% income tax, and I made $2000 profit for risking my $26,110 on the bet that the merger will go through, as planned.
That's why the stock is at $26.11 right now. Potential investment profit and loss, nothing else. Someone with $27,000 to risk, might not think that $2,000 is enough profit?
Through a six-year agreement, Shutterstock, Inc. (NYSE:SSTK) strengthened its partnership with OpenAI. As of July 2023, the company became the major provider of high-quality training data for OpenAI's models, demonstrating its commitment to leveraging AI technologies in developing its platform. Aiming at sustainability, the company has announced a merger with Getty Images in January 2025. It claims that the resulting expansion in the stock photo libraries will provide better competition against AI-driven image creation tools.
SS is a major provider of training data to the main competitor for microstock, while merging with Getty to better defend against the loss of business to AI. SS is paying a dividend of .33 March 6th. Watch the price on March 7th.
speaking of ai, i haven't had a "contributor fund" payment in ages. have others been getting anything? ss has been terrible for me for 3 months now.
Quote from: yuriy on March 02, 2025, 22:27
speaking of ai, i haven't had a "contributor fund" payment in ages. have others been getting anything? ss has been terrible for me for 3 months now.
Didn't they offer the exciting news of only paying 15% for AI data training? Maybe 0% is even more exciting.
In the last few days a lot of sales on SS, but almost all in the range of $0.10-$0.15 (level 5).
In the last 3 days SS sales are 3 times those of Adobe for me.
In this moment Adobe can't grow anymore, SS sells a lot but the RPD is low, high priced sales have disappeared. Not a good situation.
I was hoping that SS would lose market share to Adobe (which has the highest RPD), but it's not happening as I expected.
Quote from: Bauman on March 26, 2025, 10:03
In the last few days a lot of sales on SS, but almost all in the range of $0.10-$0.15 (level 5).
In the last 3 days SS sales are 3 times those of Adobe for me.
In this moment Adobe can't grow anymore, SS sells a lot but the RPD is low, high priced sales have disappeared. Not a good situation.
I was hoping that SS would lose market share to Adobe (which has the highest RPD), but it's not happening as I expected.
Very true but yesterday was a good day for me at least on SS, I had so many of these days last year, lets hope they are coming back this year.
Quote from: DaLiu on March 26, 2025, 10:18
Very true but yesterday was a good day for me at least on SS, I had so many of these days last year, lets hope they are coming back this year.
I'm happy for you! ;)
I had it last week one day with earnings > $100... but that was pretty much the only one this month. I was used to having at least one every week.
Quote from: Bauman on March 26, 2025, 10:03
In the last few days a lot of sales on SS, but almost all in the range of $0.10-$0.15 (level 5).
In the last 3 days SS sales are 3 times those of Adobe for me.
In this moment Adobe can't grow anymore, SS sells a lot but the RPD is low, high priced sales have disappeared. Not a good situation.
I was hoping that SS would lose market share to Adobe (which has the highest RPD), but it's not happening as I expected.
for me, too, SS sales are 2-3x AS. but 3 days isn't enough to draw any conclusions as the market is random - however, my SS RPD has been around .7 over them last year, while SS is around .45 (showing high priced sales still happen every month)
Few weeks ago I got hit by my best selling single image download ever (15 years on SS).
Number was so high it knocked me out of my shoes ;D
Not sure am I allowed to disclose amount here, but it was 25x higher than my previous best selling photo on SS (which was decade ago).
And what was really odd to me it was an editorial image sale.
I did some research of new product line, and find out this new product - selling editorial as commercial license with Asset Assurance, which offer the legal coverage for commercial use of editorial photos if I got it right. I guess my sale was one of this, and it is really expensive to license photo with this license. I have only few editorials in my portfolio, but will probably upload more after this.
Anyone had similar experience with high revenue editorials?
I create graphic videos...2-4 years back when I searched "Green Screen", I have seen 10-15 videos in first 3 pages of "Popular" section. Because they sold well... My top video sold for 450 times in 4 years, and few more sold more than 200 times, and many videos sold for 100+ times...
And everytime Shutterstock comes with worst changes... They changed algorithm, and I am not seeing my videos anywhere in first 10-15 pages of popular section...Then there is no surprise that my sales and earnings reduced by 60-75% in last 1-2 years...
And the worst thing is that, I am seeing the videos of newbies in popular section, whose portfolios don't even have 100-200 videos...And seeing many thieves videos in popular section who stole effects from apps and softwares...
From $900-$1100 a month, shutterstock decreased to $200-$300...
on the other hand from $150-$200 a month, adobe stock increased to $500-$600 a month, in last 2-3 years.
Hello, I am so pleased to hear of others success on SS, but here I am wondering if it is all worth the effort.
This year for me, I have sold a mixture of over 80 videos and photos, including a red-hot topic in the UK, 'The Reform Party' photos
and yet have only earned $36.52
The wages here are disgusting.
My portfolio, contains320 images and 177 videos.
:(
Over the past few months, I have observed a very long video review process on Shutterstock. Moreover, videos are not reviewed in order of upload date, but selectively.
>:( >:( >:(
Quote from: Dickens on May 07, 2025, 15:27
Hello, I am so pleased to hear of others success on SS, but here I am wondering if it is all worth the effort.
This year for me, I have sold a mixture of over 80 videos and photos, including a red-hot topic in the UK, 'The Reform Party' photos
and yet have only earned $36.52
The wages here are disgusting.
My portfolio, contains320 images and 177 videos.
:(
are you seeing much better earnings elsewhere? honestly with a portfolio as small as yours those returns are pretty good... by today's standards. most people who see decent returns have 1000s of assets though i know of a few who do well with less because they have super rare/niche assets. hard to say if it's worth it for you specifically but i'd work on producing a much bigger portfolio and see.
3-4 years back I earned 4-5 times more in Shutterstock than that I earned in Adobe stock..
But the things are reversed now...I am earning 2-3 times more in Adobe Stock than Shutterstock...
In these time Adobe Stock increased much in terms of Sales and revenue...and Shutterstock performing very worst with decrease in sales and earnings by 75%...
Shutterstock stopped showing to buyers what codec the video was shot in and what fps the video has. This is unacceptable.
:o
Got a $50.00 fee on a mediocre photo yesterday. Nice change from the dimes. It's like 500 dime sales :)
Wonder where it will show up.
Yeh I just got $27.10 for a very ordinary low-res drone photo of a stadium.
Just got contributor fund.
Quote from: DaLiu on May 27, 2025, 19:48
Just got contributor fund.
must be nice, it's been a year for me
i had a $70 sale on the 6th of the month so ss was way in front of as for may. as with every month though, as caught up slow and steady and is now ahead of ss by a small amount despite the fact that i had another big sale on ss. first month where it's even close since last fall when ss was close to as and maybe once or twice was my #1.
The ability to select a preview frame in a video has disappeared.
>:( >:( >:(
Quote from: stoker2014 on May 28, 2025, 11:33
The ability to select a preview frame in a video has disappeared.
>:( >:( >:(
It's still there, not sure if it works though.
Go to Portfolio, Catalog Manager, Marketplace Catalog then select Videos, and on the right should be Select Video Thumbnail.
I see that Shutterstock has a new logo - that will solve everything lol
Quote from: stockman11 on June 23, 2023, 22:26
My SS earnings used to be 15x higher than now, and they just keep nosediving from month to month. Once a good earner, now abomination. Seems like it will join mid-tier agencies soon. Inexcusable.
During this same time, my Adobe Stock earnings has been growing, and Istock has been consistent.
I'm considering to start treating SS like the other mid-tier agencies and completely stop uploading there.
Going on 2 years and Shutterstock is still dead and still an embarrassment that keeps getting worse.
Quote from: stockman11 on June 23, 2023, 22:26
My SS earnings used to be 15x higher than now, and they just keep nosediving from month to month. Once a good earner, now abomination. Seems like it will join mid-tier agencies soon. Inexcusable.
During this same time, my Adobe Stock earnings has been growing, and Istock has been consistent.
I'm considering to start treating SS like the other mid-tier agencies and completely stop uploading there.
I'm inclined to agree. Same stats for me with the other two.
Shutterstock is crashing down hard.....and I am enjoying every minute of it.....
The Shutterstock share is now significantly below the issue price at the time. The number of people interested in the share is close to zero.
Adobe has also lost about 1/3 since its all time high. It is hard to see how any publicly traded microstock company would be good investment. Only reason Adobe is still relatively ok is because they are doing many other things.
is it just me or has ss been miserable lately? i mean besides the summer slowdown that most ports experience? it's been way less than half of AS for me lately and even istock seems to be doing better this year.
Quote from: yuriy on July 15, 2025, 18:21
is it just me or has ss been miserable lately? i mean besides the summer slowdown that most ports experience? it's been way less than half of AS for me lately and even istock seems to be doing better this year.
For me, "miserable" is still a highly positive formulation. It's almost dead!
For me SS still performs the best, usually double than AS, this month is no exception, almost 4 digit income from SS alone until now.
Yes, that's true. And for me, SS sales have become almost completely absent. Few and of very low value (0.10 - 0.15$)
:-\
Quote from: DaLiu on July 16, 2025, 08:24
For me SS still performs the best, usually double than AS, this month is no exception, almost 4 digit income from SS alone until now.
This is amazing but I doubt as for me things are entirely opposite. I am seeing from low to lowest.
First two weeks of July were very slow for me both on AS and SS. Europe's on vacation and the US was on 4th July break. This week has been much better and especially on SS. Interestingly, revenue numbers have been much better than previous months.
Quote from: Jaggy on July 16, 2025, 12:36
First two weeks of July were very slow for me both on AS and SS. Europe's on vacation and the US was on 4th July break. This week has been much better and especially on SS. Interestingly, revenue numbers have been much better than previous months.
I hear you Jaggy. SS is still performing, it's Adobe which is completely dead and unfortunately also Istock, after a good run of several months. Everybody his or hers own luck I guess.
I think a major reason why buyers might be shunning ss in favor of adobe or istock is because ss has so much undeclared ai the customer cannot filter out.
Here is someone on Medium boasting about his 5000 ai image experiment where his bestselling site was shutterstock. He made 190 dollars there and 430 overall.
Article is behind paywall, but perhaps some people are on medium.
https://medium.com/@Anthony-Lam/i-uploading-5-000-ai-images-across-multiple-stock-sites-heres-what-happened-f541138ea96e
I took some screenshots, in case the article disappears.
Shutterstock does not seem interested at all in filtering out ai, so for customers this is a problem.
Will be interesting to see what happens with the merger, istock seems to like clean collections.
Overall SS does not seem interested in the needs of the graphic designer customer anymore.
Shutterstock performing very worst for me, Previous years it was in first position in terms of sales and earnings...
With decrease in sales and earnings every month, it dropped to third place... Performing much worst than Getty Images...
With around 25-35$ daily average earnings in previous years..it dropped to 6-10$ daily average at present...
Where as Adobe Stock performing Stable from last 2-3 years
Quote from: cobalt on July 26, 2025, 11:50
I think a major reason why buyers might be shunning ss in favor of adobe or istock is because ss has so much undeclared ai the customer cannot filter out.
Here is someone on Medium boasting about his 5000 ai image experiment where his bestselling site was shutterstock. He made 190 dollars there and 430 overall.
Article is behind paywall, but perhaps some people are on medium.
https://medium.com/@Anthony-Lam/i-uploading-5-000-ai-images-across-multiple-stock-sites-heres-what-happened-f541138ea96e
I took some screenshots, in case the article disappears.
Shutterstock does not seem interested at all in filtering out ai, so for customers this is a problem.
Will be interesting to see what happens with the merger, istock seems to like clean collections.
Overall SS does not seem interested in the needs of the graphic designer customer anymore.
You can go to 'print' and then save it as a PDF then post the article. Easy workaround for paywalls. like the link below.
Shutter5h1t continuing to hold a steady course while on it's journey to being the worst stock agency, as it simultaneously shafts all it's contributors.
Full steam ahead.
Quote from: stocker2011 on August 21, 2025, 00:40
Shutter5h1t continuing to hold a steady course while on it's journey to being the worst stock agency, as it simultaneously shafts all it's contributors.
I used to make $6K/mo on Shutterstock. Now, I struggle to get $600.
Quote from: Stockhome Syndrome on August 21, 2025, 12:00
Quote from: stocker2011 on August 21, 2025, 00:40
Shutter5h1t continuing to hold a steady course while on it's journey to being the worst stock agency, as it simultaneously shafts all it's contributors.
I used to make $6K/mo on Shutterstock. Now, I struggle to get $600.
Sorry to hear that, I used to make between $600-$800 per month, now I make around $100 if I'm lucky.
Quote from: f8 on August 20, 2025, 21:57
...
You can go to 'print' and then save it as a PDF then post the article. Easy workaround for paywalls. like the link below.
that's a copyright violation - or are folks here only concerned when it's their work that's threatened? where's the response from all those who constantly complain their work is being 'stolen' for ai training?
Quote from: cascoly on August 21, 2025, 18:59
Quote from: f8 on August 20, 2025, 21:57
...
You can go to 'print' and then save it as a PDF then post the article. Easy workaround for paywalls. like the link below.
that's a copyright violation - or are folks here only concerned when it's their work that's threatened? where's the response from all those who constantly complain their work is being 'stolen' for ai training?
@Cascoly... Thanks for that, I did not know it was a copyright violation. It is okay to do that for "personal use" but to share it is a no no. There is a grey area of sharing for educational purposes as "fair use" but it is a grey area.
Thanks for the insight. You learned me and I hope others too.
Cheers.
Bit rich from the guy who's taken copyrighted works to make money then puts his work behind a paywall. Shouldn't he be all for his work to be scraped for free by the AI bots. And no I'm not advocating workaround for paywalls.
Quote from: f8 on August 21, 2025, 19:17
Quote from: cascoly on August 21, 2025, 18:59
Quote from: f8 on August 20, 2025, 21:57
...
You can go to 'print' and then save it as a PDF then post the article. Easy workaround for paywalls. like the link below.
that's a copyright violation - or are folks here only concerned when it's their work that's threatened? where's the response from all those who constantly complain their work is being 'stolen' for ai training?
@Cascoly... Thanks for that, I did not know it was a copyright violation. It is okay to do that for "personal use" but to share it is a no no. There is a grey area of sharing for educational purposes as "fair use" but it is a grey area.
Thanks for the insight. You learned me and I hope others too.
Cheers.
also, NYTimes currently has a suit charging copyright violations of its content for AI training - that will likely have a larger effect than any of the image related suits.
and fair use also, allows copying small portions of an article or quotes from a book within a larger article. another factor is whether such use affects the marketing of the original.
1/3 of the month gone and I'm only at $15 for the month. Wow.
Having a horrible month here too, on Shutterstock especially and even Adobe is slow.
I had videos submitted on Shutterstock waiting for review with some since 21 August, and just seen now those have disappeared from the review cue so Shutterstock is not even bothering to review videos now it looks like.
Quote from: Pacesetter on September 12, 2025, 02:27
Having a horrible month here too, on Shutterstock especially and even Adobe is slow.
I had videos submitted on Shutterstock waiting for review with some since 21 August, and just seen now those have disappeared from the review cue so Shutterstock is not even bothering to review videos now it looks like.
Worst performance from Shutterstock... But Adobe is performing well for me..
But for me, videos in Shutterstock getting reviewed within 24 hours, and 1-2 days delay on weekends..
I had to rant...
https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2025/09/14/switched-off-my-september-stock-sales-have-collapsed-at-shutterstock-pond5/
I don't even make a $1 per day now what! Oh, well off to apply to McDonald's for a job now that actually pays the bills!
Quote from: Pacesetter on September 12, 2025, 02:27
I had videos submitted on Shutterstock waiting for review with some since 21 August, and just seen now those have disappeared from the review cue so Shutterstock is not even bothering to review videos now it looks like.
+1
I think you mean "Alamy also not faring so well, completely devoid of any large sales, it's more of a waiting game there." not "devout".
Alamy has always been low enough volume for me that one or 2 sales can make or break a month there, but the long term trend is still the wrong direction, plus new contributor contract is probably not good.
Sadly I think microstock has been a losing proposition since the sites decided it was easier to squeeze the contributors than be better. It has been a long slide with big drops when Getty worked their magic on iStock and after SS went public and switched to .10 minimum. I left SS at that point. It probably cost me a bit of income, but saved me a bit of dignity and if we had all done that things might have gone differently.
Quote from: Brasilnut on September 14, 2025, 17:05
I had to rant...
https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2025/09/14/switched-off-my-september-stock-sales-have-collapsed-at-shutterstock-pond5/
Well it ain't over until the fat lady sings (end of month). I had given up on Adobe because of a trend for weeks of diminishing downloads and just had the best week ever (downloads, not $). Pond5 is dead for sure, no argue there. But otherwise, besides that microstock is not viable anymore, you could be having a poor month on SS. It happens, just like good months.It's all random and unless you have a lot of data, it's difficult to say that things are going down the drain or that you just had bad luck this month. But yeah, golden days are over.
Quote from: SimonSays on September 14, 2025, 20:29
Quote from: Brasilnut on September 14, 2025, 17:05
I had to rant...
https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2025/09/14/switched-off-my-september-stock-sales-have-collapsed-at-shutterstock-pond5/
Well it ain't over until the fat lady sings (end of month). I had given up on Adobe because of a trend for weeks of diminishing downloads and just had the best week ever (downloads, not $). Pond5 is dead for sure, no argue there. But otherwise, besides that microstock is not viable anymore, you could be having a poor month on SS. It happens, just like good months.It's all random and unless you have a lot of data, it's difficult to say that things are going down the drain or that you just had bad luck this month. But yeah, golden days are over.
It's not random; it's a trend that started this January. And I do have data 2020 ave $380(ave Dls 30) per month, 2021 Ave $296(ave Dls 33) per month, 2022 ave $386(ave Dls 53) per month, 2023 ave $504(ave Dls 65) per month, 2024 ave $494(ave Dls 69) per month, 2025 ave $258(ave Dls 40) per month. Compared to the last two years, income has reduced by 50%. The only conclusion I can make is that since Getty acquired Shutterstock in January, they are "turning the light off", slowly becoming a monopolist on the market.
Quote from: digipro on September 14, 2025, 22:08
Quote from: SimonSays on September 14, 2025, 20:29
Quote from: Brasilnut on September 14, 2025, 17:05
I had to rant...
https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2025/09/14/switched-off-my-september-stock-sales-have-collapsed-at-shutterstock-pond5/
Well it ain't over until the fat lady sings (end of month). I had given up on Adobe because of a trend for weeks of diminishing downloads and just had the best week ever (downloads, not $). Pond5 is dead for sure, no argue there. But otherwise, besides that microstock is not viable anymore, you could be having a poor month on SS. It happens, just like good months.It's all random and unless you have a lot of data, it's difficult to say that things are going down the drain or that you just had bad luck this month. But yeah, golden days are over.
It's not random; it's a trend that started this January. And I do have data 2020 ave $380(ave Dls 30) per month, 2021 Ave $296(ave Dls 33) per month, 2022 ave $386(ave Dls 53) per month, 2023 ave $504(ave Dls 65) per month, 2024 ave $494(ave Dls 69) per month, 2025 ave $258(ave Dls 40) per month. Compared to the last two years, income has reduced by 50%. The only conclusion I can make is that since Getty acquired Shutterstock in January, they are "turning the light off", slowly becoming a monopolist on the market.
Indeed, it has nothing to do with 2 weeks. I've been uploading to SS since April 2013 so that's like 600+ weeks.
The rant post was a long time coming since I'm seeing a gradual decline in earnings/volumes, but past 3-4 months it's been really steep...and now September is a joke....
Perhaps the last 2 weeks of Sept may surprise but I doubt it. Just checked my earnings Monday morning and I've earned 89cents at SS. The real test will be Oct/Nov/Dec, I don't expect much.
Now if what I would have earned in SS is (partially) offset by higher earnings at iStock then it's OK, time will tell whether this will be the case.
Shuttershyte just gets progressively worse.
Considering the total market share they control (which is roughly equal to Getty/istock), I find it incredible how little they pay to contributors. For me it works out to be roughly 15% of what I earn on istock with the same size port. They must be diverting our earnings to pay for all the companies they bought.
I can only hope that if the merger goes through, that Getty shakes things up at SS HQ because ATM I have zero motivation to continuing uploading there.
Quote from: digipro on September 14, 2025, 22:08
The only conclusion I can make is that since Getty acquired Shutterstock in January, they are "turning the light off", slowly becoming a monopolist on the market.
Just some details? Getty did not acquire Shutterstock in January. There is a proposed "merger" which hasn't been approved yet, which means Getty is not running anything and they can't turn off anything. I know this is Microstock and as soon as something is announced, even if nothing has changed, people will come to the forum here and say they can see it's changed already.
When Adobe says they are adding unlimited downloads, a day later, someone will see how it's hurt their sales. LOL ;D
The rest of your post, one way or another, in degrees, I agree. SSTK has been failing and falling, worse each year and that 10¢ on demand was the dagger in the heart. Subscriptions are almost nonexistent. Even my little port, 90% niche, sales in 2012 where way higher, more DLs and more money, than the years after. Now I make in a month, what I did on some single days, on SSTK. How can I have double the images, plus the same images, and sales are down to almost nothing?
Shutterstock is an embarassment
Quote from: Uncle Pete on September 15, 2025, 20:22
Quote from: digipro on September 14, 2025, 22:08
The only conclusion I can make is that since Getty acquired Shutterstock in January, they are "turning the light off", slowly becoming a monopolist on the market.
Just some details? Getty did not acquire Shutterstock in January. There is a proposed "merger" which hasn't been approved yet, which means Getty is not running anything and they can't turn off anything. I know this is Microstock and as soon as something is announced, even if nothing has changed, people will come to the forum here and say they can see it's changed already.
When Adobe says they are adding unlimited downloads, a day later, someone will see how it's hurt their sales. LOL ;D
The rest of your post, one way or another, in degrees, I agree. SSTK has been failing and falling, worse each year and that 10¢ on demand was the dagger in the heart. Subscriptions are almost nonexistent. Even my little port, 90% niche, sales in 2012 where way higher, more DLs and more money, than the years after. Now I make in a month, what I did on some single days, on SSTK. How can I have double the images, plus the same images, and sales are down to almost nothing?
Shutterstock is an embarassment
Not to argue with you in relation to the old days but my RPD has risen since these almost non existent subscription sales, a lot less 10¢. Heck my downloads also went up and together with the improved RPD I am having a good year in relation to the last three years. So yes, SS is not what it was but does everyone see the last three years diminshing in downloads and revenue? Maybe I am just lucky and the algorithm is in my favour for once (as long as it lasts) and appeal to better paying customers.
Shutterstock ignores yet another batch of videos which have now vanished from the review cue after 3 weeks. All videos are editorial. The place is useless to me if they ignore video submissions as I don't submit photos.
Quote from: Pacesetter on September 16, 2025, 01:47
Shutterstock ignores yet another batch of videos which have now vanished from the review cue after 3 weeks. All videos are editorial. The place is useless to me if they ignore video submissions as I don't submit photos.
This place (SS) is useless to me on anything I submit to them! Another company bites the dust!
Quote from: Big Money on September 16, 2025, 03:11
Quote from: Pacesetter on September 16, 2025, 01:47
Shutterstock ignores yet another batch of videos which have now vanished from the review cue after 3 weeks. All videos are editorial. The place is useless to me if they ignore video submissions as I don't submit photos.
This place (SS) is useless to me on anything I submit to them! Another company bites the dust!
And this prospective merger arrangement I think would be a bad move for iStock for the key reason being Shutterstock's reputational damage in the marketplace - both with contributors and customers of stock.
Quote from: Pacesetter on September 16, 2025, 01:47
Shutterstock ignores yet another batch of videos which have now vanished from the review cue after 3 weeks. All videos are editorial. The place is useless to me if they ignore video submissions as I don't submit photos.
Same here. Everything I added on 21/22nd Aug has sat in the queue for weeks and has now disappeared completely. I re-uploaded some this week, and they have been approved within a day or so. I guess they had some server issues during this time?!
Quote from: digipro on September 14, 2025, 22:08...
It's not random; it's a trend that started this January. And I do have data 2020 ave $380(ave Dls 30) per month, 2021 Ave $296(ave Dls 33) per month, 2022 ave $386(ave Dls 53) per month, 2023 ave $504(ave Dls 65) per month, 2024 ave $494(ave Dls 69) per month, 2025 ave $258(ave Dls 40) per month. Compared to the last two years, income has reduced by 50%. The only conclusion I can make is that since Getty acquired Shutterstock in January, they are "turning the light off", slowly becoming a monopolist on the market.
one data point (Jan) doesnt show a trend - it could just as easily be an outlier - and the 6 year data for the previous or next month might show a very different result
if anything, your data shows the opposite of what many report - that their sales have been decreasing steadily, while yours were increasing over the years until 2025 - which is why anecdotal evidence is weak support for any theory.
and tracking a single month is less statistically valid as the 4 weeks in a month might not reflect a quite different trend from the last week of Dec & first 3 wks of Jan. Taking 3 mo avg would flatten this effect (and is why following a week ly sales total is not very useful - the data is too noisy to draw any conclusions)
in mycase, annual sales 2016-2018 were steady then took at 20% hit in 2019 and has been steady +/- 10% since then
we have variable histories, so it's hard to draw any conclusions about causes - esp'ly when the environment has been so variable (market changes, covid & recovery, ai gen images, type of content of various artists, new images added. etc)
all we can say, like geologists, is "shift happens!" - things are worse (for most of us) than 10 years ago, but our paths vary greatly and there's no one cause
This is why I love Shutterstock, I know most of you guys hate it but for me was pretty good all these years.
Quote from: Brasilnut on September 15, 2025, 12:33
Quote from: digipro on September 14, 2025, 22:08
Quote from: SimonSays on September 14, 2025, 20:29
Quote from: Brasilnut on September 14, 2025, 17:05
I had to rant...
https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2025/09/14/switched-off-my-september-stock-sales-have-collapsed-at-shutterstock-pond5/
Well it ain't over until the fat lady sings (end of month). I had given up on Adobe because of a trend for weeks of diminishing downloads and just had the best week ever (downloads, not $). Pond5 is dead for sure, no argue there. But otherwise, besides that microstock is not viable anymore, you could be having a poor month on SS. It happens, just like good months.It's all random and unless you have a lot of data, it's difficult to say that things are going down the drain or that you just had bad luck this month. But yeah, golden days are over.
It's not random; it's a trend that started this January. And I do have data 2020 ave $380(ave Dls 30) per month, 2021 Ave $296(ave Dls 33) per month, 2022 ave $386(ave Dls 53) per month, 2023 ave $504(ave Dls 65) per month, 2024 ave $494(ave Dls 69) per month, 2025 ave $258(ave Dls 40) per month. Compared to the last two years, income has reduced by 50%. The only conclusion I can make is that since Getty acquired Shutterstock in January, they are "turning the light off", slowly becoming a monopolist on the market.
Indeed, it has nothing to do with 2 weeks. I've been uploading to SS since April 2013 so that's like 600+ weeks.
The rant post was a long time coming since I'm seeing a gradual decline in earnings/volumes, but past 3-4 months it's been really steep...and now September is a joke....
Perhaps the last 2 weeks of Sept may surprise but I doubt it. Just checked my earnings Monday morning and I've earned 89cents at SS. The real test will be Oct/Nov/Dec, I don't expect much.
Now if what I would have earned in SS is (partially) offset by higher earnings at iStock then it's OK, time will tell whether this will be the case.
Just wondering. How did september end in relation to previous month and last year? Was it indeed a complete disaster or did things pick up at the end? I am having a really terrible month now with SS.
After 10 days of Oct 2025:
Shutterstock --- $46
Adobe Stock --- $348
Couple of years back Shutterstock is in first place in terms of earnings, Where I am received monthly average between $750-$1000. Now dropped to second place. It's hardly hitting $300-$400. This month it's performing more worst.
Very soon it joins with the agencies in last positions(Dreamstime and Depositphotos).
I personally believe an increasing number of customers have the unlimited download plan on SS with earnings on the last day of the month..
Quote from: danielvisuals on October 11, 2025, 05:11
I personally believe an increasing number of customers have the unlimited download plan on SS with earnings on the last day of the month..
If it's a month plan, than doesn't mean everyone who prefers should take that plan on 1st of that month, if it's a year plan, than doesn't mean everyone who prefers should take that plan on 1st Jan of that year...
Depends on the customers requirement, they purchase it on beginning of month/year, middle of month/year, end of month/year...So they have 30/365 days to use thir subscription plan...
So, that makes no sense all the subscriptions ends at the end of month/year...
Quote from: SimonSays on October 10, 2025, 17:45
Quote from: Brasilnut on September 15, 2025, 12:33
Quote from: digipro on September 14, 2025, 22:08
Quote from: SimonSays on September 14, 2025, 20:29
Quote from: Brasilnut on September 14, 2025, 17:05
I had to rant...
https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2025/09/14/switched-off-my-september-stock-sales-have-collapsed-at-shutterstock-pond5/
Well it ain't over until the fat lady sings (end of month). I had given up on Adobe because of a trend for weeks of diminishing downloads and just had the best week ever (downloads, not $). Pond5 is dead for sure, no argue there. But otherwise, besides that microstock is not viable anymore, you could be having a poor month on SS. It happens, just like good months.It's all random and unless you have a lot of data, it's difficult to say that things are going down the drain or that you just had bad luck this month. But yeah, golden days are over.
It's not random; it's a trend that started this January. And I do have data 2020 ave $380(ave Dls 30) per month, 2021 Ave $296(ave Dls 33) per month, 2022 ave $386(ave Dls 53) per month, 2023 ave $504(ave Dls 65) per month, 2024 ave $494(ave Dls 69) per month, 2025 ave $258(ave Dls 40) per month. Compared to the last two years, income has reduced by 50%. The only conclusion I can make is that since Getty acquired Shutterstock in January, they are "turning the light off", slowly becoming a monopolist on the market.
Indeed, it has nothing to do with 2 weeks. I've been uploading to SS since April 2013 so that's like 600+ weeks.
The rant post was a long time coming since I'm seeing a gradual decline in earnings/volumes, but past 3-4 months it's been really steep...and now September is a joke....
Perhaps the last 2 weeks of Sept may surprise but I doubt it. Just checked my earnings Monday morning and I've earned 89cents at SS. The real test will be Oct/Nov/Dec, I don't expect much.
Now if what I would have earned in SS is (partially) offset by higher earnings at iStock then it's OK, time will tell whether this will be the case.
Just wondering. How did september end in relation to previous month and last year? Was it indeed a complete disaster or did things pick up at the end? I am having a really terrible month now with SS.
Won't count June/July/August as these are "holiday" months.
Finished September at $72 (no, didn't really pick up much)
May 2025 was $140
September 2024 was $213
Now that we're into October I can see that I've earned $30 1/3 of the month in :(
Quote from: SimonSays on September 15, 2025, 21:00
Quote from: Uncle Pete on September 15, 2025, 20:22
Quote from: digipro on September 14, 2025, 22:08
The only conclusion I can make is that since Getty acquired Shutterstock in January, they are "turning the light off", slowly becoming a monopolist on the market.
Just some details? Getty did not acquire Shutterstock in January. There is a proposed "merger" which hasn't been approved yet, which means Getty is not running anything and they can't turn off anything. I know this is Microstock and as soon as something is announced, even if nothing has changed, people will come to the forum here and say they can see it's changed already.
When Adobe says they are adding unlimited downloads, a day later, someone will see how it's hurt their sales. LOL ;D
The rest of your post, one way or another, in degrees, I agree. SSTK has been failing and falling, worse each year and that 10¢ on demand was the dagger in the heart. Subscriptions are almost nonexistent. Even my little port, 90% niche, sales in 2012 where way higher, more DLs and more money, than the years after. Now I make in a month, what I did on some single days, on SSTK. How can I have double the images, plus the same images, and sales are down to almost nothing?
Shutterstock is an embarassment
Not to argue with you in relation to the old days but my RPD has risen since these almost non existent subscription sales, a lot less 10¢. Heck my downloads also went up and together with the improved RPD I am having a good year in relation to the last three years. So yes, SS is not what it was but does everyone see the last three years diminshing in downloads and revenue? Maybe I am just lucky and the algorithm is in my favour for once (as long as it lasts) and appeal to better paying customers.
I'll guess that you have better content that's up to date and meets the needs of the buyers, while mine is getting stale and old. ;D Best to you and that you are getting paid for your effort.
Example: September SSTK for myself = 12DLs for $2.84, which i used to make, some days in 2012 and considering the reset and 10c sales, and that I have the same images, plus another 1,000? Something changed. I don't blame Getty or IS though, I think it's plan old, SSTK dying and that's why the stock dropped to so low and why a merger is the way to clean up and get out of the business.
Those fancy offices in NY will be the first cut!
Quote from: Uncle Pete on October 13, 2025, 19:30
Those fancy offices in NY will be the first cut!
Lets hope so :)
many years ago. many years before i got into the stock photo game, i knew someone who had a tech job in manhattan. she took me and a few other acquaintances to visit her office. it was inside the empire state building which i had never been inside before. we took a tour around the office after hours when no one was there and we got to see some of the external spaces. the building has several landings so some of the lower floors have outside decks that have views of the building looking up. she worked for shutterstock and it was a very nice office in those days. if they are still in that office it won't be long til they give it up i would think.
After 2 weeks od October 2025:
Shutterstock:
* I earned 11.25% of what I earned in Sept 2025(whole month)
* 8.37% of Oct 2024(whole month)
* 4.46% of Oct 2023(whole month)
* 5.80% of Oct 2022(whole month)
Adobe Stock:
* 43.61% of what I earned in Sept 2025(whole month...includes firefly bonus, without firefly bonus its 53.49% of sep 2025)
* 52.35% of Oct 2024(whole month)
* 52.38% of Oct 2023(whole month)
* 116.98% of Oct 2022(whole month)
I started contributing to both Shutterstock and Adobe stock at the same time at the year 2019... at that time I earned 4-5 times more in Shutterstock than Adobestock...
I earned around $50-$100 a month in Adobe Stock, which is increased year by year with uploading files regulary... it reached $500-$600 a month, sometimes more than $700 or $800 by the year 2022-2023... from there earnings not increased or decreased with new files... just small fluctuations( Adobe subscription plans not affected the earnings, Average earning per sale decreased by number of sales increased)...
at the same time... from $200-$350 a month of shutterstock, which is increased year by year, at peaks level I earned $900-$1200 by the year 2022-2023... From there which is decreased month by month, with uploading more than 1000 videos every year...Now I am hardly earning $300-$400 from Shutterstock...
This month it's more worst, after 14 days I earned $46...
Is anyone seeing a proportional uptick on istock versus sales dropping at Shutterstock and pond5?
While the merger is not yet concluded, perhaps the advertising budgets have been closed or lowered for Shutterstock already because the future focus for attracting customers will be istock/getty?
Quote from: cobalt on October 15, 2025, 11:44
Is anyone seeing a proportional uptick on istock versus sales dropping at Shutterstock and pond5?
While the merger is not yet concluded, perhaps the advertising budgets have been closed or lowered for Shutterstock already because the future focus for attracting customers will be istock/getty?
I only have a small portfolio on iStock, but as I kept uploading regularly since last Christmas, I saw my sales increasing - till last week of August. Since then there has been a drop. I had very few sales in September and all of them were IS subscriptions, October has been similar so far (one IS credit + some IS subs), no more sales via GI that usually brought me better earnings than IS subs (and that used to account for half of my sales :'().
Quote from: cobalt on October 15, 2025, 11:44
Is anyone seeing a proportional uptick on istock versus sales dropping at Shutterstock and pond5?
While the merger is not yet concluded, perhaps the advertising budgets have been closed or lowered for Shutterstock already because the future focus for attracting customers will be istock/getty?
I wish but no, everything is same on IS
Quote from: danielvisuals on October 11, 2025, 05:11
I personally believe an increasing number of customers have the unlimited download plan on SS with earnings on the last day of the month..
I can now say that sales were very likely low in October because many buyers have now switched to the unlimited plan.
50% of my earnings in October on SS came from unlimited subscriptions.
October was my 2nd best month ever (August 2024 still holds the top spot). Even though I had about 30% fewer downloads compared to the same month last year, I believe the Unlimited Plan has affected my download numbers. Overall, though, I'm quite happy with how Shutterstock is performing for me.
I can't complain either.
What I can say is that earnings from the unlimited plan is increasing every month. I wouldn't be surprise if it will soon be the main earnings for contributors who participate in that model.
It doesn't really bother me.
Actually, now since my entire portfolio is available for unlimited download on SS, I will upload more videos on artlist that i didn't want to upload previously to keep them more exclusive on SS and AS. So I will further increase my earnings on Artlist which is a great earner for me. I make the same amount of money on Artlist as on AS and SS with 10 times less videos.
Quote from: DaLiu on November 01, 2025, 02:14
Even though I had about 30% fewer downloads compared to the same month last year, I believe the Unlimited Plan has affected my download numbers.
I opted out of the unlimited downloads plan and my downloads are up 8% from October 2024 (15 years and 6500 images). As for earnings, an average month, I haven't had many sales >$20 (and that's what makes the difference on SS).
Earnings are 55-60% down from average. Downloads are on record low ever since I started making stats in 2012. Big sales are completely gone like my port has been switched off
There seems to be a wide range of positive vs. negative experiences with SS. When the pole results used to be visible here, it seemed on average that SS had declined.
I wonder if the large differences in experiences we are seeing in the forums is geographic?....perhaps SS does much better in certain parts of the globe than in others?
Quote from: wds on November 01, 2025, 14:26
There seems to be a wide range of positive vs. negative experiences with SS. When the pole results used to be visible here, it seemed on average that SS had declined.
I wonder if the large differences in experiences we are seeing in the forums is geographic?....perhaps SS does much better in certain parts of the globe than in others?
Yes, and possibly what kind of images that we have. I have no video on SSTK. I have 90% Editorial. I made more some days, in 2012-2014 than I make some months now. So I'm one of the ones who's down.
Maybe Leaf can bring back the poll some day. It went away when the verification came in. But the forum is much better and works now, instead of being pounded by thousands or bots, trying to scrap messages and data, all day long.
I'm participating from Turkey. I think participants here are still not allowed to participate in the unlimited download program? Does anyone have any information?
Nearly half way through November and only $16.
1-2 years ago it was between $100 - $200
2+ years ago it was between $200 - $300
5+ years ago it was consistently closer to $1000
Well done SS, breaking new records.
Quote from: danielvisuals on November 01, 2025, 05:36
I can't complain either.
What I can say is that earnings from the unlimited plan is increasing every month. I wouldn't be surprise if it will soon be the main earnings for contributors who participate in that model.
It doesn't really bother me.
Actually, now since my entire portfolio is available for unlimited download on SS, I will upload more videos on artlist that i didn't want to upload previously to keep them more exclusive on SS and AS. So I will further increase my earnings on Artlist which is a great earner for me. I make the same amount of money on Artlist as on AS and SS with 10 times less videos.
I am still not able to opt in to the unlimited subscription, sales still down 50% since that was announced
I looked at my data for Shuttestock from January to October for each year going back to 2020 to 2025. 2020 was my second year in stock so had much smaller port. Here's what the numbers look like:
2020 $1171.79
2021 $1010.62
2022 $2230.13
2023 $4937.39
2024 $3096.97
2025 $2257.56
I've also attached what it looks like graphically with a chart. So even with many more contents uploaded earnings are falling. I have stopped uploading images with my last photo uploaded to this agency in January 2025.
I've also attached today's SSTK share price which shows its dropped again below the initial opening price back in October 2012 - where it belongs.
Quote from: Pacesetter on November 14, 2025, 00:49
I looked at my data for Shuttestock from January to October for each year going back to 2020 to 2025. 2020 was my second year in stock so had much smaller port. Here's what the numbers look like:
2020 $1171.79
2021 $1010.62
2022 $2230.13
2023 $4937.39
2024 $3096.97
2025 $2257.56
I've also attached what it looks like graphically with a chart. So even with many more contents uploaded earnings are falling. I have stopped uploading images with my last photo uploaded to this agency in January 2025.
I've also attached today's SSTK share price which shows its dropped again below the initial opening price back in October 2012 - where it belongs.
Nearly 5K in 2023, congrats to you. Back then I bet you thought it was all going according to plan :)
Quote from: Pacesetter on November 14, 2025, 00:49
I looked at my data for Shuttestock from January to October for each year going back to 2020 to 2025. 2020 was my second year in stock so had much smaller port. Here's what the numbers look like:
2020 $1171.79
2021 $1010.62
2022 $2230.13
2023 $4937.39
2024 $3096.97
2025 $2257.56
Tough break. Just when you think you got it made with this line of work, it all disappears from underneath you. Same picture for other agencies or is this SS specific?
Quote from: stocker2011 on November 14, 2025, 11:30
Quote from: Pacesetter on November 14, 2025, 00:49
I looked at my data for Shuttestock from January to October for each year going back to 2020 to 2025. 2020 was my second year in stock so had much smaller port. Here's what the numbers look like:
2020 $1171.79
2021 $1010.62
2022 $2230.13
2023 $4937.39
2024 $3096.97
2025 $2257.56
I've also attached what it looks like graphically with a chart. So even with many more contents uploaded earnings are falling. I have stopped uploading images with my last photo uploaded to this agency in January 2025.
I've also attached today's SSTK share price which shows its dropped again below the initial opening price back in October 2012 - where it belongs.
Nearly 5K in 2023, congrats to you. Back then I bet you thought it was all going according to plan :)
Yep I actually made well over 5k in 2023 (with November and December added) I just didn't use those months for this example as it is not an accurate comparison with the completed months so far in 2025. Started going downhill in December 2023.
Quote from: SimonSays on November 14, 2025, 12:40
Quote from: Pacesetter on November 14, 2025, 00:49
I looked at my data for Shuttestock from January to October for each year going back to 2020 to 2025. 2020 was my second year in stock so had much smaller port. Here's what the numbers look like:
2020 $1171.79
2021 $1010.62
2022 $2230.13
2023 $4937.39
2024 $3096.97
2025 $2257.56
Tough break. Just when you think you got it made with this line of work, it all disappears from underneath you. Same picture for other agencies or is this SS specific?
Pond5 is the other agency. iStock is not doing as well as previous years though the fall is not anywhere near Shutterstock and Pond5. Adobe Stock showed much better results in 2024 and 2025 compared to previous years - and this seems to be the situation with a lot of contributors.
one of the worst months regarding rpd for videos:
Nov: 14 sales for 18.81$, rpd: 1,35$.
For comparison:
Oct: 18 sales for 148.7$, rpd: 8.26$.
For this month, all sales (except 1 for 3.5$) are low as the following: 3 x 1.7$, 5 x 1.17$, 4 x 1$ and 1 x 0.36$(!).
I think the unlimited subscription model is hurting in the most video sales, especially previously common individual sales. The biggest video sales I'm getting this months are around $10. Time will tell if this is the new normal.
Quote from: danielvisuals on November 19, 2025, 00:37
I think the unlimited subscription model is hurting in the most video sales, especially previously common individual sales. The biggest video sales I'm getting this months are around $10. Time will tell if this is the new normal.
Could be, but for most it's been on a continual downward spiral for years now.
For a company with (according to Ai) that has at least 1/3 share of the entire microstock industry but pays out so little to contributors, then there's something not right going on, or some kind of shenanigans at play IMO.
If the merger goes ahead all I'm hoping for at the very least is that iStock shakes things up on a managerial level at SS HQ to hopefully straighten things out.
I just got a new contributor fund of 500$
286$ here...
It looks like SSTK has unleashed the same bot. Except they accepted the JPG and rejected the EPS. While IS did the opposite, rejected the JPG :o and accepted the EPS.
Rejection reasons (1)
AI Generated Content: AI generated content is prohibited. Repeated submission of such content will result in account suspension and/or termination.
$288.6 contributor fund payment. Nice addition to this month's income.
I got contributor fund too. What exactly is this thing?
Could it be the training bonus we've all been waiting for on pond5 this year...
Quote from: danielvisuals on November 26, 2025, 05:19
Could it be the training bonus we've all been waiting for on pond5 this year...
Does Pond5 pay us by Shutterstock?
4 digits here 8)
Quote from: PeteStock on November 26, 2025, 13:00
4 digits here 8)
4 digits for the fund...
I hope it doesn't hurt too much ;D
Quote from: alan b traehern on November 26, 2025, 12:41
Quote from: danielvisuals on November 26, 2025, 05:19
Could it be the training bonus we've all been waiting for on pond5 this year...
Does Pond5 pay us by Shutterstock?
No, but Pond5, owned by SS, owes us for the training bonus.
This graph, based on my earnings, confirms the growth of Adobe at the expense of Shutterstock (with iStock being rather stable):
Quote from: Zero Talent on November 30, 2025, 15:31
This graph, based on my earnings, confirms the growth of Adobe at the expense of Shutterstock (with iStock being rather stable):
But where is the top of your chart? It appears lopped off unless I am misunderstanding it?
Quote from: wds on November 30, 2025, 15:34
Quote from: Zero Talent on November 30, 2025, 15:31
This graph, based on my earnings, confirms the growth of Adobe at the expense of Shutterstock (with iStock being rather stable):
But where is the top of your chart? It appears lopped off unless I am misunderstanding it?
No. The top is the sum of all 3 set at 100%. This way, it's easier to identify the share of each component, out of the total, every month.
Quote from: Zero Talent on November 30, 2025, 15:56
Quote from: wds on November 30, 2025, 15:34
Quote from: Zero Talent on November 30, 2025, 15:31
This graph, based on my earnings, confirms the growth of Adobe at the expense of Shutterstock (with iStock being rather stable):
But where is the top of your chart? It appears lopped off unless I am misunderstanding it?
No. The top is the sum of all 3 set at 100%. This way, it's easier to identify the share of each component, out of the total, every month.
So the graph shows the percentage of the total, but the total keeps changing? IS is fairly stable, in that case, and AS is gaining it's share.
I've seen an even to a slight decline in AS, SS "fell through the floor" and iS fairly stable over the past year or so.
Quote from: wds on November 30, 2025, 19:11
I've seen "even" to a slight decline in AS, SS "fell through the floor" and iS fairly stable over the past year or two.
Quote from: wds on November 30, 2025, 19:11
I've seen an even to a slight decline in AS, SS "fell through the floor" and iS fairly stable over the past year or so.
pretty much identical to me.
I finally reached Level 6 after 11 months of hard work, only to get reset again. I can't complain too much, because Shutterstock still performs well for me overall, but with the new unlimited model things are getting increasingly confusing. Downloads from the unlimited plans are being used, yet they don't count toward the total numbers that determine contributor levels. The system didn't make much sense from the start, and now it makes even less, if unlimited downloads don't contribute to leveling up, how can contributors realistically progress? The current structure feels disconnected from how our content is actually being used.
AS is ahead of last year (2024) both in revenue and downloads.
SS is down on last year (2024) on both revenue and downloads. Downloads look like they will be down around 15%. The main difference in revenue is that I had a few big sales last year that haven't happened this year. Otherwise, revenue is holding up okay.
Overall, I still make more money from SS than I do from AS. I'd like to do more with AS and would if I could get more product through their tortuous submission process.
How to not love SS? On AS never get these kind of days.
To be fair I had a $90 sale today from SS.
Nostalgically feeling like I'm back in 2019 before all those "exciting news" :)
Quote from: Brasilnut on December 10, 2025, 13:46
To be fair I had a $90 sale today from SS.
Nostalgically feeling like I'm back in 2019 before all those "exciting news" :)
I wish You more nostalgia like this one
Quote from: DaLiu on December 10, 2025, 12:04
How to not love SS? On AS never get these kind of days.
Yes, only on SS!
What's your favorite camera and lens combo?
Quote from: danielvisuals on December 10, 2025, 22:53
Quote from: DaLiu on December 10, 2025, 12:04
How to not love SS? On AS never get these kind of days.
Yes, only on SS!
What's your favorite camera and lens combo?
Still shoting on this setup and Mavic 4 Pro.
Here's my problem with Shutterstock.
From a much smaller portfolio of contents in 2022 to a much larger portfolio of contents in 2025 (mainly video) while uploading has slowed down it has still been consistent.
Yearly Earnings:
Not only can't make progress anymore with it, earnings in 2025 have collapsed to half of what it was in 2023.
Adobe Stock has shown increase each year.
Last 12 months or so I find Shutterstock outperforms Adobe maybe 2 or 3 months of the year. Maybe down to being a sucker and selling images to Adobe for those 12 months.
Quote from: Brasilnut on December 10, 2025, 13:46
To be fair I had a $90 sale today from SS.
Nostalgically feeling like I'm back in 2019 before all those "exciting news" :)
Nice if you get them. 8) I feel nostalgic when I get a sale for $1.48, (this one for example) instead of a crappy dime.
(https://image.shutterstock.com/image-photo/newton-iowa-usa-june-23-250nw-246669565.jpg)
It's to the point where the cost of the motel, the driving about 6 hours each way, then sorting, culling, editing and tagging, I don't submit Editorial Motorsports to SSTK anymore. I'm down to maybe three events a year, from when I was doing a dozen or more.
Shutterstock's January start was horrible for me. :-\
Not so much for the number of photos sold, but for the particularly low RPD.
I'm at level 3 and about to reach level 4, just one day late. But the problem is that I have a RPD of $0.33, compared to $0.68 in January 2025.
Are you also experiencing a shortage of licenses >$10?
Quote from: Bauman on January 15, 2026, 14:11
Shutterstock's January start was horrible for me. :-\
Not so much for the number of photos sold, but for the particularly low RPD.
I'm at level 3 and about to reach level 4, just one day late. But the problem is that I have a RPD of $0.33, compared to $0.68 in January 2025.
Are you also experiencing a shortage of licenses >$10?
I'm already level 4 and I can confirm, the rpd is very low, similar to yours and compared with the last 6 years for me.
Quote from: DaLiu on January 15, 2026, 15:04
I'm already level 4 and I can confirm, the rpd is very low, similar to yours and compared with the last 6 years for me.
Thanks DaLiu. This isn't good news.
95% of what they sell is now subscription-based. And subscription sales are very profitable for Shutterstock, but not for us contributors.
Quote from: Brasilnut on September 11, 2025, 14:46
1/3 of the month gone and I'm only at $15 for the month. Wow.
$3.65 here :(
Quote from: DaLiu on January 15, 2026, 15:04
Quote from: Bauman on January 15, 2026, 14:11
Shutterstock's January start was horrible for me. :-\
Not so much for the number of photos sold, but for the particularly low RPD.
I'm at level 3 and about to reach level 4, just one day late. But the problem is that I have a RPD of $0.33, compared to $0.68 in January 2025.
Are you also experiencing a shortage of licenses >$10?
I'm already level 4 and I can confirm, the rpd is very low, similar to yours and compared with the last 6 years for me.
My compliments on reaching level 4 so fast, you must have some really good images and video.
I won't make level 4 by the end of 2026. Money is another matter. Dimes just don't add up to anything substantial.
So far RPB for photos on SS is $0.66 and for videos $4.156.
I'm still getting high value photo and video sales but less than I used to.
Overall, the year is starting well on both SS and Adobe.
First time ever when at this time at the month even tho I am level 4 on SS after 1st week, AS is passing SS on income overall with 3 times less sales.
Shutterstock is horribly slow so far this month both in the number of downloads and RPD. Adobe, on the other hand, is doing pretty well.
It is possible that many customers are flowing from SS to AS, and with the end of the year many of them closed their subscription in favor of AS.
Quote from: Jaggy on January 16, 2026, 15:00
Shutterstock is horribly slow so far this month both in the number of downloads and RPD. Adobe, on the other hand, is doing pretty well.
I thought it might just be me. Very anorexic sales. Similar to P5 where come January last year sales ceased almost completely. P5 never recovered. They are the lowest earner for me now. Maybe $200 a year with 6k assets.
Quote from: jovannig on January 16, 2026, 15:22
It is possible that many customers are flowing from SS to AS, and with the end of the year many of them closed their subscription in favor of AS.
We would expect the numbers to go down as well if people are leaving but thats not the case, I see some decrease in number of sales but that is influenced as well by the unlimited plan.
I've been a Shutterstock contributor since 2012.
My best period was 2019, when I was getting 200–300 downloads per day and could comfortably make a living from it.
Since 2019, my earnings have been declining exponentially. Today, 10–30 downloads per day is the norm, and my earnings this month are around $140.
Yes — $140.
At this point, I'm honestly starting to wonder whether I've been shadowbanned. My suspicion is that the unlimited plan has completely distorted the algorithms. Since I'm not included in unlimited licensing, I'm not generating those "internal" sales signals, and my files are likely being pushed further and further down in search results.
What makes this even more frustrating is the fact that I cannot participate in unlimited sales at all, despite being a contributor for over a decade and having achieved strong results in the past.
At this stage, the only thing I feel toward Shutterstock is embarrassment and disappointment.
To be honest, the only reason I'm still in microstock at all is Adobe Stock and iStock, both of which have performed significantly better for me recently.
Quote from: Micha91 on January 16, 2026, 17:21
I've been a Shutterstock contributor since 2012.
My best period was 2019, when I was getting 200–300 downloads per day and could comfortably make a living from it.
Since 2019, my earnings have been declining exponentially. Today, 10–30 downloads per day is the norm, and my earnings this month are around $140.
Yes — $140.
At this point, I'm honestly starting to wonder whether I've been shadowbanned. My suspicion is that the unlimited plan has completely distorted the algorithms. Since I'm not included in unlimited licensing, I'm not generating those "internal" sales signals, and my files are likely being pushed further and further down in search results.
What makes this even more frustrating is the fact that I cannot participate in unlimited sales at all, despite being a contributor for over a decade and having achieved strong results in the past.
At this stage, the only thing I feel toward Shutterstock is embarrassment and disappointment.
To be honest, the only reason I'm still in microstock at all is Adobe Stock and iStock, both of which have performed significantly better for me recently.
Thanks Micha91.
I've been with Shutterstock for 15 years, and my best year was 2014.
However, I've seen a much less steep decline than yours. Let's say I went from 100-120 downloads a day to about 30-50 a day. That's a decrease of about 60%.
What I meant is that I also didn't accept the Unlimited Plan, but I haven't seen such a rapid decline, and my images in the search don't seem to be affected.
From 2024 to 2025, I lost 6.33% of my earnings on Shutterstock, while overall I increased my earnings by 13.5%, although in September 2025 I noticed a decline across all agencies, which is continuing into January. :(
The increase in my earnings is also due to the extra hours I've put in and increased productivity, but honestly, I was hoping for something better.
Unfortunately, I'm full-time, and I fear that, if nothing changes, this could be my last year. I'm really at the limit; I can't go lower any further, otherwise I won't be able to support my family. :-\
It's not an easy time, and the agencies aren't helping us with their greed. For example, Istock's 15% doesn't seem very fair to me. And even Shutterstock, with its subscription plan, I don't think it'll give us more than 20-25% (35% of Level 5 is for on-demand/single sales)
Adobe has the most equitable earnings, but it allows for a mountain of AI slop that makes a lot of traditional content invisible. And I don't think producing AI content is a good strategy, because it's easily copied, the competition is huge, and few agencies allow it.
Updated revenue share for the big three, based on my personal data (December 2025 included), showing the rise of AS at the expense of SS:
Quote from: DaLiu on January 16, 2026, 12:21
First time ever when at this time at the month even tho I am level 4 on SS after 1st week, AS is passing SS on income overall with 3 times less sales.
But then you're not including the end of month payment from the unlimited downloads which I assume is quite consequential with the size of your portfolio. For me, that payment makes up for the drop in other sales.
Quote from: danielvisuals on January 16, 2026, 21:39
Quote from: DaLiu on January 16, 2026, 12:21
First time ever when at this time at the month even tho I am level 4 on SS after 1st week, AS is passing SS on income overall with 3 times less sales.
But then you're not including the end of month payment from the unlimited downloads which I assume is quite consequential with the size of your portfolio. For me, that payment makes up for the drop in other sales.
For me, shutterstock has dropped 80% year on year. I still have no access to the unlimited model, so this is hurting me a lot I suppose.
Adobe stock is now making 5x more revenue with less content.
Quote from: jovannig on January 16, 2026, 15:22
It is possible that many customers are flowing from SS to AS, and with the end of the year many of them closed their subscription in favor of AS.
Possible, but also I see an upswing in IS downloads for my images, and most are the same on all three places. (except... no editorial news on IS or AS. and some other minor differences, between all of them. Adobe is much easier for me to get my illustrations accepted.) I don't see AS growing, but I do see IS moving up. And yes, SSTK is just some scattered dimes for me, it's a disaster. (https://i.postimg.cc/0224DbbJ/help-sos.gif)
Quote from: PeteStock on January 17, 2026, 08:26
Quote from: danielvisuals on January 16, 2026, 21:39
Quote from: DaLiu on January 16, 2026, 12:21
First time ever when at this time at the month even tho I am level 4 on SS after 1st week, AS is passing SS on income overall with 3 times less sales.
But then you're not including the end of month payment from the unlimited downloads which I assume is quite consequential with the size of your portfolio. For me, that payment makes up for the drop in other sales.
For me, shutterstock has dropped 80% year on year. I still have no access to the unlimited model, so this is hurting me a lot I suppose.
Adobe stock is now making 5x more revenue with less content.
What Unlimited model? ;) I didn't apply and I wasn't one of the chosen.
Q: Which Contributors are included?
A: Only a small Contributor Pilot group, who have been notified by email, are invited to participate in the initial launch of the Unlimited downloads subscription. If you have received the invitation via email, you have been automatically opted into licensing.
Q: How can my contributor account be included?
A: You can let us know if you are interested in being included in this licensing option in the future by adding your Contributor ID here. We will get back to you with next steps if your content is the right fit for the Unlimited offering. (source: https://submit.shutterstock.com/help/en/articles/11498880-unlimited-downloads-subscription-contributor-faq)
interesting. i wonder if the contributors who have opted in are getting any real money or if it's 13c per month.
Quote from: DaLiu on January 16, 2026, 12:21
First time ever when at this time at the month even tho I am level 4 on SS after 1st week, AS is passing SS on income overall with 3 times less sales.
On January 6, you posted that you had a total of 171 downloads on Shutterstock in January up to that point. Did you get 330 downloads on the rest of January 6 and January 7? That's impressive.
Quote from: Wilm on January 19, 2026, 21:43
Quote from: DaLiu on January 16, 2026, 12:21
First time ever when at this time at the month even tho I am level 4 on SS after 1st week, AS is passing SS on income overall with 3 times less sales.
On January 6, you posted that you had a total of 171 downloads on Shutterstock in January up to that point. Did you get 330 downloads on the rest of January 6 and January 7? That's impressive.
Sorry, I meant 2nd week.
Quote from: DaLiu on January 20, 2026, 11:40
Quote from: Wilm on January 19, 2026, 21:43
Quote from: DaLiu on January 16, 2026, 12:21
First time ever when at this time at the month even tho I am level 4 on SS after 1st week, AS is passing SS on income overall with 3 times less sales.
On January 6, you posted that you had a total of 171 downloads on Shutterstock in January up to that point. Did you get 330 downloads on the rest of January 6 and January 7? That's impressive.
Sorry, I meant 2nd week.
Ah, okay. Still impressive!
from 50$ per week to 5$ :o
Leveled up again. One week later than last year.
Quote from: Julied83 on January 20, 2026, 19:01
from 50$ per week to 5$ :o
From 50$ per day to 5$ :o
My earnings on Shutterstock in 2023 averaged over $470 a month. My earnings so far January 2026 is $18.49.
Quote from: Pacesetter on January 22, 2026, 21:13
My earnings on Shutterstock in 2023 averaged over $470 a month. My earnings so far January 2026 is $18.49.
Are you included in the unlimited plan? If not then I'd say you are now lacking visibility which is hurting your sales. My advice would be to contact SS and ask to be I included in that plan. I'm still getting higher value sales, although noticeably less than before but the extra earnings from the unlimited somewhat make up for it.
Quote from: danielvisuals on January 22, 2026, 22:47
Are you included in the unlimited plan? If not then I'd say you are now lacking visibility which is hurting your sales. My advice would be to contact SS and ask to be I included in that plan. I'm still getting higher value sales, although noticeably less than before but the extra earnings from the unlimited somewhat make up for it.
I disagree. I didn't sign up for the unlimited plan, and my sales on SS are stable. I reached level 4 one day late compared to 2025, and in the last week I've had a few sales >$10, which will put me at the same level as I did in 2025 for January 2026.
I think just the opposite: that
the unlimited plan is the end of microstock, as demonstrated by Envato Elements.
I have a small portion of my portfolio on Envato (about 15%) and in the last few months I've been earning about $1-$2 per day, selling about 60-80 images per day. And that means an RPD of $0.01-$0.03 per image... the truth is: unlimited plans are the death of stock.
Unlimited plans are a win-win-lose business. The platforms and customers win, the creators lose.
Quote from: Bauman on January 23, 2026, 07:10
I disagree. I didn't sign up for the unlimited plan, and my sales on SS are stable. I reached level 4 one day late compared to 2025, and in the last week I've had a few sales >$10, which will put me at the same level as I did in 2025 for January 2026.
I think just the opposite: that the unlimited plan is the end of microstock, as demonstrated by Envato Elements.
I have a small portion of my portfolio on Envato (about 15%) and in the last few months I've been earning about $1-$2 per day, selling about 60-80 images per day. And that means an RPD of $0.01-$0.03 per image... the truth is: unlimited plans are the death of stock.
Unlimited plans are a win-win-lose business. The platforms and customers win, the creators lose.
No! the creators can buy a coffee in a bar after 200 or 300 sales... ;D Who would have thought we'd get to this point?!
In a recent past, we spoke about
Macrostock. Here is the Nanostock today, the new pollution!
Quote from: Bauman on January 23, 2026, 07:10
Quote from: danielvisuals on January 22, 2026, 22:47
Are you included in the unlimited plan? If not then I'd say you are now lacking visibility which is hurting your sales. My advice would be to contact SS and ask to be I included in that plan. I'm still getting higher value sales, although noticeably less than before but the extra earnings from the unlimited somewhat make up for it.
I disagree. I didn't sign up for the unlimited plan, and my sales on SS are stable. I reached level 4 one day late compared to 2025, and in the last week I've had a few sales >$10, which will put me at the same level as I did in 2025 for January 2026.
I think just the opposite: that the unlimited plan is the end of microstock, as demonstrated by Envato Elements.
I have a small portion of my portfolio on Envato (about 15%) and in the last few months I've been earning about $1-$2 per day, selling about 60-80 images per day. And that means an RPD of $0.01-$0.03 per image... the truth is: unlimited plans are the death of stock.
Unlimited plans are a win-win-lose business. The platforms and customers win, the creators lose.
Whatever rocks you boat buddy 8)
Unlimited plans are great for low-value content, like apples on white or people shaking hands. If someone spent a few minutes on a piece of content, they'll be fine selling it for a few cents.
Quote from: Bauman on January 23, 2026, 07:10
Quote from: danielvisuals on January 22, 2026, 22:47
Are you included in the unlimited plan? If not then I'd say you are now lacking visibility which is hurting your sales. My advice would be to contact SS and ask to be I included in that plan. I'm still getting higher value sales, although noticeably less than before but the extra earnings from the unlimited somewhat make up for it.
I disagree. I didn't sign up for the unlimited plan, and my sales on SS are stable. I reached level 4 one day late compared to 2025, and in the last week I've had a few sales >$10, which will put me at the same level as I did in 2025 for January 2026.
I think just the opposite: that the unlimited plan is the end of microstock, as demonstrated by Envato Elements.
I have a small portion of my portfolio on Envato (about 15%) and in the last few months I've been earning about $1-$2 per day, selling about 60-80 images per day. And that means an RPD of $0.01-$0.03 per image... the truth is: unlimited plans are the death of stock.
Unlimited plans are a win-win-lose business. The platforms and customers win, the creators lose.
I agree with Bauman. I tested Motion Array (another agency offering unlimited plan) in 2024 with a sample of cca 100 photos and I deleted them as soon as I could (after 3 months). I needed around 16 sales to see "estimated earnings" of 1 USD - it felt like giving my photos for free.. and it was before they introduced changes in their reward system, now you have to sell even more photos to earn 1 dollar. No, thanks >:(
The problem is that I applied for the unlimited plan but got no response and I am not in it. I understand Duck not doing it but for me it's grabbing all the money before this whole microstock comes to an end. But it feels a bit unfair some people get this unlimited plan oppurtunity and others not, even if you applied for it. Wonder what the qualifications are, honestly.
And can someone share what this unlimited plan inclusion actually brings them at the end of the month? In relation to their normal sales that is.
I'm in the same situation, I'm not qualified for the Unlimited program either.
I also contacted support about this. As expected, I only got the usual corporate boilerplate response, saying that I can "express interest" via a form. I did that as well — it led nowhere.
From what I can see, it looks like accounts with very large amounts of content are the ones being selected. I personally have around 4,000 images and 1,000 videos, all carefully produced over 15 years. This isn't mass content, it's a curated portfolio built long-term.
At my peak, I was earning $150–250 per day on Shutterstock. Now it's a few dollars
In my opinion, Unlimited downloads have a impact on the algorithms, and being included seems important mainly to feed those algorithms with constant activity. If there's no traffic and no signals on an account, it simply starts to die in search and visibility.
At its peak, I used to get $6000 a month on Shutterstock. Now I'm lucky if I break $500.
Same for me!
Quote from: Stockhome Syndrome on January 24, 2026, 17:24
At its peak, I used to get $6000 a month on Shutterstock. Now I'm lucky if I break $500.
Are you included in the unlimited plan?
i have made more $ today on AS than the entire month at SS. it took 2 more days to get to level 2 than last year and i have 1000s more assets now. currently for jan AS is 23.15x what SS is. not sure how much more abuse i can take.
Quote from: yuriy on January 26, 2026, 18:12
i have made more $ today on AS than the entire month at SS. it took 2 more days to get to level 2 than last year and i have 1000s more assets now. currently for jan AS is 23.15x what SS is. not sure how much more abuse i can take.
Just to confirm what you're saying: over 10 years in microstock, AS has never outperformed SS in any month until now. Historically, SS usually delivered about double the performance of AS. This month is the first time AS is performing roughly 20% better than SS. SS is clearly dropping fast even tho I'm halfway to level 5 for pictures, and it's quite strange to see such a sharp decline from one month to the next.
For me, AS occasionally exceeded Shutterstock monthly earnings up until 2024 but, since then, Adobe has mostly been the leader by a small margin each month.
However, this month is shaping up to be the lowest earnings on Shutterstock since 2009, with Adobe currently at nearly 4 times higher than Shutterstock.
I'm not sure what's going on at Shutterstock, but it feels as if the wheels have finally come off.
In 2025, the AS and SS comparison ended in a tie. Each agency was the top agency for six months, but SS finished the year with about $600 more.
This year, Adobe Stock is also ahead in January for me, with 50% more earnings, even though SS has about 100 more downloads. The first few days of January for SS had a really low RPD.
In terms of downloads, I reached level 4, one day later than 2025.
At this rate of sales on SS, I will lose about 15% of downloads compared to 2025 at the end of the month. Today was also a bad day; I made over 30 sales, but the highest didn't reach $1. :-\
Same here. Not that Adobe is doing better then last year but SS took a nose dive.
From my own experience, Shutterstock has clearly dropped. Downloads are still coming in, but the money is tiny, mostly subscription sales with cents. You can keep uploading and growing your portfolio, but income barely moves. Contributor levels feel disconnected from reality, the content is being used, but it doesn't really benefit the author. At the same time, Adobe looks more stable, fewer sales, but the earnings per sale actually make sense. It feels like Shutterstock is squeezing the subscription model as hard as possible, and contributors are left with scraps. For me, this doesn't look temporary anymore, it feels like the new normal.
Are you seeing the same thing or is it different for you?
Do you also have to wait a long time for your editorial photos to be reviewed? I'm wait a month.
Quote from: Fotograf on January 28, 2026, 15:17
Do you also have to wait a long time for your editorial photos to be reviewed? I'm wait a month.
Personally, all reviews of any images, have been very slow the last few months. Also some strange rejections that went straight to data licensing.
Quote from: Micha91 on January 16, 2026, 17:21
I've been a Shutterstock contributor since 2012.
My best period was 2019, when I was getting 200–300 downloads per day and could comfortably make a living from it.
Since 2019, my earnings have been declining exponentially. Today, 10–30 downloads per day is the norm, and my earnings this month are around $140.
Yes — $140.
At this point, I'm honestly starting to wonder whether I've been shadowbanned. My suspicion is that the unlimited plan has completely distorted the algorithms. Since I'm not included in unlimited licensing, I'm not generating those "internal" sales signals, and my files are likely being pushed further and further down in search results.
What makes this even more frustrating is the fact that I cannot participate in unlimited sales at all, despite being a contributor for over a decade and having achieved strong results in the past.
At this stage, the only thing I feel toward Shutterstock is embarrassment and disappointment.
To be honest, the only reason I'm still in microstock at all is Adobe Stock and iStock, both of which have performed significantly better for me recently.
Pretty much the same experience. It's like they radically changed the algo to the point of feeling shadowbanned
Quote from: thx9000 on January 29, 2026, 08:57
Quote from: Micha91 on January 16, 2026, 17:21
I've been a Shutterstock contributor since 2012.
My best period was 2019, when I was getting 200–300 downloads per day and could comfortably make a living from it.
Since 2019, my earnings have been declining exponentially. Today, 10–30 downloads per day is the norm, and my earnings this month are around $140.
Yes — $140.
At this point, I'm honestly starting to wonder whether I've been shadowbanned. My suspicion is that the unlimited plan has completely distorted the algorithms. Since I'm not included in unlimited licensing, I'm not generating those "internal" sales signals, and my files are likely being pushed further and further down in search results.
What makes this even more frustrating is the fact that I cannot participate in unlimited sales at all, despite being a contributor for over a decade and having achieved strong results in the past.
At this stage, the only thing I feel toward Shutterstock is embarrassment and disappointment.
To be honest, the only reason I'm still in microstock at all is Adobe Stock and iStock, both of which have performed significantly better for me recently.
Pretty much the same experience. It's like they radically changed the algo to the point of feeling shadowbanned
I am not sure if SS "POND5'd me" but January sales are at $58. Usually $200 ish. So far in Jan I'm goose egged on P5 and very low on SS and 2/3 gone on Envanto (also a SS owned company). It's not coincidence. Whatever they are doing may be benefitting others but all three agencies are face down next to a 6-foot hole in the ground with a big pile of dirt next to the hole for me.
Only have to go back to 2023 when I averaged over $470 a month with a considerably smaller port (though I no longer contribute anything to Shutterstock now).
This month January 2026 - $24.24.
Have to go back almost 5 years to February 2021 the last time I had a month lower.
It's just pathetic $59 actually for this month.
The last time I finished under $100 was in June 2011 (I start in December 2010).
I am a small fish compard to you guys, but my experience is the same, just on a smaller scale:
January 2026 so far (port of around 3500 assets):
SS - $39.75 (lowest result since January 2024)
AS - $181,03 (already my 2nd best month ever at AS)
Quote from: Mantis on January 29, 2026, 11:36
Quote from: thx9000 on January 29, 2026, 08:57
Quote from: Micha91 on January 16, 2026, 17:21
I've been a Shutterstock contributor since 2012.
My best period was 2019, when I was getting 200–300 downloads per day and could comfortably make a living from it.
Since 2019, my earnings have been declining exponentially. Today, 10–30 downloads per day is the norm, and my earnings this month are around $140.
Yes — $140.
At this point, I'm honestly starting to wonder whether I've been shadowbanned. My suspicion is that the unlimited plan has completely distorted the algorithms. Since I'm not included in unlimited licensing, I'm not generating those "internal" sales signals, and my files are likely being pushed further and further down in search results.
What makes this even more frustrating is the fact that I cannot participate in unlimited sales at all, despite being a contributor for over a decade and having achieved strong results in the past.
At this stage, the only thing I feel toward Shutterstock is embarrassment and disappointment.
To be honest, the only reason I'm still in microstock at all is Adobe Stock and iStock, both of which have performed significantly better for me recently.
Pretty much the same experience. It's like they radically changed the algo to the point of feeling shadowbanned
I am not sure if SS "POND5'd me" but January sales are at $58. Usually $200 ish. So far in Jan I'm goose egged on P5 and very low on SS and 2/3 gone on Envanto (also a SS owned company). It's not coincidence. Whatever they are doing may be benefitting others but all three agencies are face down next to a 6-foot hole in the ground with a big pile of dirt next to the hole for me.
Let's put it this way. Not so long ago SS used to bring more than Adobe. This month it's 6:1 in favor of Adobe. Yeah, this bad
Seeing so many similar reports. They must've done something really drastic to s***w so many people the same way. I refuse to believe their sales have fallen so badly compared to the other agencies
Yes, either they are stealing and hiding our sales or customers really left en masse SS. Both are believable. Grabbing and customers, that are not stupid, and go shop somewhere else. But since I do only the three big ones and IS is falling just as hard as SS while AS not making up for the loss in revenue (allthough it is improving in relation to last year) where did the customers go? Or is it just not reporting the sales to us from SS?
We all have different experiences. Mine has been that SS has really really dropped from its peak. However this happened well over a year ago, while others reported things hadn't changed. I attributed that difference perhaps to where contributors were located geobraphically. Seems now, others who have been doing well are now seeing a significant decline. Who knows.
Quote from: Mantis on January 29, 2026, 11:36
Quote from: thx9000 on January 29, 2026, 08:57
Quote from: Micha91 on January 16, 2026, 17:21
I've been a Shutterstock contributor since 2012.
My best period was 2019, when I was getting 200–300 downloads per day and could comfortably make a living from it.
Since 2019, my earnings have been declining exponentially. Today, 10–30 downloads per day is the norm, and my earnings this month are around $140.
Yes — $140.
At this point, I'm honestly starting to wonder whether I've been shadowbanned. My suspicion is that the unlimited plan has completely distorted the algorithms. Since I'm not included in unlimited licensing, I'm not generating those "internal" sales signals, and my files are likely being pushed further and further down in search results.
What makes this even more frustrating is the fact that I cannot participate in unlimited sales at all, despite being a contributor for over a decade and having achieved strong results in the past.
At this stage, the only thing I feel toward Shutterstock is embarrassment and disappointment.
To be honest, the only reason I'm still in microstock at all is Adobe Stock and iStock, both of which have performed significantly better for me recently.
Pretty much the same experience. It's like they radically changed the algo to the point of feeling shadowbanned
I am not sure if SS "POND5'd me" but January sales are at $58. Usually $200 ish. So far in Jan I'm goose egged on P5 and very low on SS and 2/3 gone on Envanto (also a SS owned company). It's not coincidence. Whatever they are doing may be benefitting others but all three agencies are face down next to a 6-foot hole in the ground with a big pile of dirt next to the hole for me.
I know people like to blame the Algo but it's not just you. Both agencies, with very few individual exceptions, have become dead. The income has dropped to a point where what we made in a day, is now a month. This isn't personal and not about the search or someone is getting a favorite placement. Sales Are Dead. P5 and SSTK are trying to survive and merge. That's a sure sign, like other trendy new businesses. Boom, breaking, leaving, consolidation, and finally, the last that will stay, are all that's left.
Getty, Adobe, Alamy, the way I see it.
Apple, Microsoft, Chromebook... GM, Ford, Chrysler (and Stellantis bought Chrysler) ;D Mars Wrigley Confectionery (because they are chocolate, gum and candy), Ferrero Group / Nutella, Mondelez (Cadbury, Oreo, Toblerone and Milka.) Nestle S.A. and The Hershey Company. Consolidation, mergers, and extinction. Coke, Pepsi, Red Bull.
I think that covers the future of Microstock.
Quote from: SimonSays on January 29, 2026, 18:42
Yes, either they are stealing and hiding our sales or customers really left en masse SS. Both are believable. Grabbing and customers, that are not stupid, and go shop somewhere else. But since I do only the three big ones and IS is falling just as hard as SS while AS not making up for the loss in revenue (allthough it is improving in relation to last year) where did the customers go? Or is it just not reporting the sales to us from SS?
Maybe the answer is that customers are just saving money... once upon a time, for $100 you bought 20 images; now you buy 100 images.
Please note: I have no data to support this claim; this is just my guess.
Sites like Envato, Canva, and Motion Array are literally giving away images and videos at ridiculous prices ($0.01/$0.03).
I refuse to accept sites with unlimited downloads where I can opt out.
I'm not on Canva or Motion Array, and a small part of my portfolio (15%, the worst images) on Envato. I've also opted out of Shutterstock Unl.Down., and I have to say I'm pretty happy with how it's performing in January. On SS, I'm losing very little, about 10-15% compared to 2025.
My January 2026 earnings on Adobe is 20.32 times more than Shutterstock. :o
Shutterstock is a living dead agency. This january is a pain in the xss
With all these bad reports I'm hearing (myself included), I'd love to see their financials for 2025.
Two months and haven't hit $100 yet.
Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on January 31, 2026, 17:01
Two months and haven't hit $100 yet.
I understand you use to be quite a big earner on Shutterstock?
Quote from: Pacesetter on January 31, 2026, 17:40
Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on January 31, 2026, 17:01
Two months and haven't hit $100 yet.
I understand you use to be quite a big earner on Shutterstock?
The most I made was $2800 in a month.
I've managed to get to $220, helped by two or three larger sales, and this was a bit less than last January. I've got to Level 3 now - whoohoo!
Well I finished up on this miserable January with just $25.73. I have to go back to February 2021 to see a lower earnings result and that month for that time was also a disaster. My video count went from around 400 in early 2021 to 3350 by November 2025 when I stopped uploading videos to Shutterstock (and anything else for that matter as it's a waste of time now). I like the way Kuriouskat describes it on the previous page, "it feels as if the wheels have finally come off".
January $10 says it all
Alamy $340
Adobe $120
Shittystock is now in the bottom league along with DT, & Depositphotos
Quote from: steheap on January 31, 2026, 21:31
I've managed to get to $220, helped by two or three larger sales, and this was a bit less than last January. I've got to Level 3 now - whoohoo!
Do you sell only photos or also videos on pond5? I saw in your nov or dec report that you made $100 on pond5 that month. Is that from photos alone? Would you say it's worthwhile uploading photos on pond5? I've only uploaded videos so far. I have about 1,000 quality photos that I could upload straightaway but only if it's worth it.
I suspect a real problem with Shutterstock's algorithm.
One of my visuals has been sold 492 times in two years on AS and not a single time on SS.
I ended up barely braking $1K, only because of the last-day subscription payment and a couple $100+ sales days during the last week. The bulk of my January sales were "clip packs," and that has never happened before, so something changed there starting in 2026--at least for my portfolio.
I just think there is a nearly-finite number of stock footage clients (that is probably shrinking) and they've just shifted agencies for their video needs, probably over to Adobe Stock where I hit $4K for the first time ever there. I do find that odd since on Adobe there are no editorial videos, so my portfolio there contains fewer items.
Jan 2026. My 17th year of Microstock
Shutterstock (Jan 2026)
Downloads -14% (compared to Jan 2025)
Earnings -17.5% (compared to Jan 2025)
Overall (no Istock)
Downloads -8.2% (compared to Jan 2025)
Earnings -10.3% (compared to Jan 2025)
Istock
Downloads +20.3% (compared to Jan 2025)
Shutterstock's loss has been partially offset by other agencies, but not entirely. I'm waiting for Istock's earnings in mid-February. I've had a lot of downloads, but their value remains to be seen. They're often insignificant.
Quote from: Thomas-Luc on February 01, 2026, 10:24
I suspect a real problem with Shutterstock's algorithm.
One of my visuals has been sold 492 times in two years on AS and not a single time on SS.
The algorithm is one of many problems over there.
Quote from: stocker2011 on February 01, 2026, 15:06
Quote from: Thomas-Luc on February 01, 2026, 10:24
I suspect a real problem with Shutterstock's algorithm.
One of my visuals has been sold 492 times in two years on AS and not a single time on SS.
The algorithm is one of many problems over there.
Of course, the earning, the lack of customers, the review time etc...
The problem with Shutterstock is crystal clear. Anyone can read about it (https://investor.shutterstock.com/news-releases/news-release-details/shutterstock-reports-third-quarter-2025-financial-results). And any potential investor will shy away when they see these figures, which Shutterstock also calls "financial highlights." The latest report available on the site shows the figures for the third quarter of 2025. Cathastrophy!
Just for your information: in 2010, after seven years, Shutterstock celebrated finally having 10 million files online. And all the figures were on the rise. The company was successful.
Later came the sale by the former owners and, with it, the new revenue structure. As a result, the stock climbed to $110 at the end of 2021. Today, we are at 537 million files. And at $16.75.
Quote from: Wilm on February 01, 2026, 21:40
The problem with Shutterstock is crystal clear. Anyone can read about it (https://investor.shutterstock.com/news-releases/news-release-details/shutterstock-reports-third-quarter-2025-financial-results). And any potential investor will shy away when they see these figures, which Shutterstock also calls "financial highlights." The latest report available on the site shows the figures for the third quarter of 2025. Cathastrophy!
Just for your information: in 2010, after seven years, Shutterstock celebrated finally having 10 million files online. And all the figures were on the rise. The company was successful.
Later came the sale by the former owners and, with it, the new revenue structure. As a result, the stock climbed to $110 at the end of 2021. Today, we are at 537 million files. And at $16.75.
Stan the new CEO needed to make his quotas, improve earnings and get his bonus. He did. We got screwed; he's gone. The whole reset, dime download commissions, that's all his work. The stockholders loved it, but the long term effect was a disaster. Nice work Mr. Ceo.
Quote from: stocker2011 on February 01, 2026, 15:06
Quote from: Thomas-Luc on February 01, 2026, 10:24
I suspect a real problem with Shutterstock's algorithm.
One of my visuals has been sold 492 times in two years on AS and not a single time on SS.
The algorithm is one of many problems over there.
You can hang on that blame the Algo rubbish. The company is disastrous, losing money, they are done with screwing us for every penny they could grab. It's not the algorithm. Time to rethink what's going on and see what's real. The stock value has adjusted to that reality, which has nothing at all to do with The Algo. They don't care about us or our sales or anyone as an individual.
Worst month since April 2019, offset by a doubling of sales on Adobe Stock.
Revenue was actually rising until December 2025.
It almost seems as if a good number of customers abandoned the platform at the end of the year and moved elsewhere.
QuoteDo you sell only photos or also videos on pond5? I saw in your nov or dec report that you made $100 on pond5 that month. Is that from photos alone? Would you say it's worthwhile uploading photos on pond5? I've only uploaded videos so far. I have about 1,000 quality photos that I could upload straightaway but only if it's worth it.
I looked back - the larger sales are almost always videos. Photos make a very small amount of the total.
Not just us this month. The shareholders are getting a beating today as well :)
Quote from: SimonSays on February 03, 2026, 18:35
Not just us this month. The shareholders are getting a beating today as well :)
Yes, but it doesn't show the relative loss from the big drop. Right now the price is hovering between $18 and $20 a share. The stock took a big dive last March and hasn't come back. Wait for the annual report. Or better yet, watch what happens if the merger doesn't go through.
"Getty Images has made an offer to Shutterstock in the form of shares as part of a merger agreement. Shutterstock shareholders can choose to receive either $28.80 per share in cash, or 13.67 shares of Getty Images, or a combination of 9.17 shares of Getty and $9.50 in cash for each Shutterstock share they own." A 1 billion dollar deal. Yet the price of the shares of SSTK are well below that offer. I don't see a lot of confidence in the merger, from investors.
GETY which is Getty is at $1.32 which would be $18 a share, if some took the all stock deal. That $28 a share will be very popular. The combination works out, right today, around $21.60 a share.
If the Getty and Shutterstock merge, will these two platforms merge under a single platform, or will each continue on their own platform? Is there an answer to this question?
I pretty much stopped uploading to both SS and Pond5. Continuing uploads at this point just feels like adding insult to injury. They decided that they don't need happy contributors anymore - perfectly fine, their choice, it was a great run at some point. Its time to move on now.
Quote from: Konstantin Sutyagin on February 04, 2026, 07:59
I pretty much stopped uploading to both SS and Pond5. Continuing uploads at this point just feels like adding insult to injury. They decided that they don't need happy contributors anymore - perfectly fine, their choice, it was a great run at some point. Its time to move on now.
You are absolutely right, we have gone far beyond the stage of contempt. Work and skill are no longer valued. Are customers absolutely happy with this new artificial modernity?
Quote from: sinandogan on February 04, 2026, 06:47
If the Getty and Shutterstock merge, will these two platforms merge under a single platform, or will each continue on their own platform? Is there an answer to this question?
Completely hypothetical but my guess is initially they will continue as separate platforms, then down the line istock will close SS and absorb all their content and then refresh the istock brand.
I sold today in Dubai, United Arab Emirates a [far from a snapshot] photo for 0.10$ :o >:(
Even a beggar in the street can feel better regarded
After being with them since the beginning have decided not to supply them any more images. No point. Income steadily dropped over the years. Adobe stock is now king.
Since January 1st, I've only sold a few photos, for about $100. Given that my core business is videos and that I earn between $600 and $1,000 a month, I've been wondering why my videos aren't downloading anymore.
The answer I've come up with is that SS sets the Unlimited videos option by default, so those who aren't part of that program don't appear in user searches.
I've obviously contacted SS, but the replies are incompetent people who are stalling for who knows what.
Has anyone encountered and verified the above?
Hi, and good luck to everyone.
-----------------------
Dal 1 gennaio ho venduto solo qualche foto, per un corrispettivo di circa 100 dollari. Considerato che il mio core business sono i video e che mensilmente ricevo dagli 600 ai 1000 dollari, mi sono fatto qualche domanda sul perché non ci sono più download dei miei video.
La risposta che mi sono dato che SS mette di default la spunta per i video Illimitati, cosicché chi non fa parte di tale programma non compare nelle ricerche da parte degli utenti.
Ho chiaramente scritto a SS, ma rispondono persone incompetenti che stalli non so a fare cosa.
Qualcuno ha riscontrato e verificato quanto sopra descritto?
Ciao e buon lavoro a tutti
Quote from: Luigiroma on February 05, 2026, 13:27SS sets the Unlimited videos option by default
Do they still do that? I just did a test search and don't see any option to include or omit unlimited files. But perhaps they moved or hid it and I'm not seeing it.
Tried it now with Mac using Chrome, it is still active... this is a big scam for those who are not part of the Unlimited
--------
Provato adesso con Mac usando Crome, si è ancora attiva... questa è una grossa fregatura per chi non fa parte degli Illimitati
It looks like the larger image sales have almost completely disappeared on SS. I used to regularly get sales ranging from $10 up to $100, but since January 1 I've had only one for $70 and a few around $10. It's nothing compared to last year. It almost feels as if a switch was flipped on January 1 and those higher-value sales simply vanished.
I'm currently Level 4 for images and will probably reach Level 5 by the end of this week. The download volume is a bit lower, but not nearly as dramatic as the drop in larger sales.
Since the beginning of the month, I've made less than $5!!!!.
So YES, Shutterstock is a big embarrassment!
>:(
For the first time, I'm making zero sales today.
I'm checking if my images are visible on the site, and I can't see any of them.
I see that by default the search engine is set to "unlimited images only".
what is this ?
I understand better now why sales are so poor on Shutterstock... >:(
Quote from: Thomas-Luc on February 12, 2026, 18:23
For the first time, I'm making zero sales today.
I'm checking if my images are visible on the site, and I can't see any of them.
I see that by default the search engine is set to "unlimited images only".
what is this ?
I understand better now why sales are so poor on Shutterstock... >:(
Let's call this what it is: structural favoritism.
If search results default to "Unlimited only", then contributors who are not part of that program are effectively excluded from visibility unless buyers manually change the filter. The vast majority of users will never do that.
This is not competition. This is controlled exposure.
Unlimited contributors receive traffic by default. Traffic generates downloads. Downloads generate internal ranking signals. Ranking signals further increase visibility. Meanwhile, everyone outside the program is pushed down due to the very lack of traffic the system itself created.
That is not a neutral marketplace. That is a two-tier system.
As per my front page:
"Complete your tax form to continue uploading
Beginning March 2026, any contributors who do not complete their tax forms will be restricted from uploading any more content."
My tax form is already submitted for > 4 months with 4 reminder emails, no-one checks or approves it ::)
What a mess ;D
Quote from: PeteStock on February 14, 2026, 08:25
As per my front page:
"Complete your tax form to continue uploading
Beginning March 2026, any contributors who do not complete their tax forms will be restricted from uploading any more content."
My tax form is already submitted for > 4 months with 4 reminder emails, no-one checks or approves it ::)
What a mess ;D
Is it the online one for individuals, or a company one that you need to send in? The online one should get approved instantly and, if that hasn't happened, something is wrong and you should submit it again.
Are this company's days numbered? I've never had such poor sales. It's the middle of the month and I've only made $5 in sales. Seriously?
I don't know, but something isn't going right anymore...
??? :-\
Quote from: Micha91 on February 14, 2026, 07:28
Quote from: Thomas-Luc on February 12, 2026, 18:23
For the first time, I'm making zero sales today.
I'm checking if my images are visible on the site, and I can't see any of them.
I see that by default the search engine is set to "unlimited images only".
what is this ?
I understand better now why sales are so poor on Shutterstock... >:(
Let's call this what it is: structural favoritism.
If search results default to "Unlimited only", then contributors who are not part of that program are effectively excluded from visibility unless buyers manually change the filter. The vast majority of users will never do that.
This is not competition. This is controlled exposure.
Unlimited contributors receive traffic by default. Traffic generates downloads. Downloads generate internal ranking signals. Ranking signals further increase visibility. Meanwhile, everyone outside the program is pushed down due to the very lack of traffic the system itself created.
That is not a neutral marketplace. That is a two-tier system.
Aren't we more profitable for them with sales that aren't in the "unlimited" program?
Quote from: kuriouskat on February 14, 2026, 08:45
Quote from: PeteStock on February 14, 2026, 08:25
As per my front page:
"Complete your tax form to continue uploading
Beginning March 2026, any contributors who do not complete their tax forms will be restricted from uploading any more content."
My tax form is already submitted for > 4 months with 4 reminder emails, no-one checks or approves it ::)
What a mess ;D
Company, which needs to be send via email unfortunately
Is it the online one for individuals, or a company one that you need to send in? The online one should get approved instantly and, if that hasn't happened, something is wrong and you should submit it again.
The one for business, which needs to be send via email it looks like, maybe I need to convert back to individual ;D
I have editorial images pending for 1,5 week now. Never had to wait that long before, and i've been with SS since 2009. The commercial images do go through normally though. Strange.
Quote from: John W. on February 15, 2026, 21:30
I have editorial images pending for 1,5 week now. Never had to wait that long before, and i've been with SS since 2009. The commercial images do go through normally though. Strange.
Im at 2-3 weeks for some images now.
Previously all editorial got done as a batch, all RF as a different batch.
Now there seems to be some pre-selection and splitting going on with certain categories/attributes going through, others getting delayed, for both RF and Edi.
Quote from: PeteStock on February 15, 2026, 20:49
Quote from: kuriouskat on February 14, 2026, 08:45
Quote from: PeteStock on February 14, 2026, 08:25
As per my front page:
"Complete your tax form to continue uploading
Beginning March 2026, any contributors who do not complete their tax forms will be restricted from uploading any more content."
My tax form is already submitted for > 4 months with 4 reminder emails, no-one checks or approves it ::)
What a mess ;D
Company, which needs to be send via email unfortunately
Is it the online one for individuals, or a company one that you need to send in? The online one should get approved instantly and, if that hasn't happened, something is wrong and you should submit it again.
The one for business, which needs to be send via email it looks like, maybe I need to convert back to individual ;D
Maybe the email has been lost somewhere? 4 months delay is crazy, and not helpful to anyone.
From my own experience and clients' accounts, the Unlimited selection feels random. Long‑time contributors with solid portfolios can be ignored, while others get in. It seems Shutterstock prioritizes volume and constant activity over experience. People in Unlimited often get more downloads, but payouts are tiny. Outside the program, visibility drops. Compared to that, Adobe Stock feels more stable: fewer sales, but better value per download. Do you see Unlimited as a real income boost, or just fake activity?
Quote from: videostock.system on February 16, 2026, 12:11
From my own experience and clients' accounts, the Unlimited selection feels random. Long‑time contributors with solid portfolios can be ignored, while others get in. It seems Shutterstock prioritizes volume and constant activity over experience. People in Unlimited often get more downloads, but payouts are tiny. Outside the program, visibility drops. Compared to that, Adobe Stock feels more stable: fewer sales, but better value per download. Do you see Unlimited as a real income boost, or just fake activity?
You always sound like a robot. Do you always use ai to write your posts or just every time?
It's unbelievable. But editorial photos aren't being reviewed. I submitted photos from a sailing race on January 31st. Dreamstime immediately paid an extra $5. Some of those photos were sold, but they're still pending review on Shutterstock.
They're not among those rejected and added to the catalog. They're just waiting. The next race is coming up. I'll be shooting it this weekend. What are they waiting for?
(By the way, I have a lot of sailing photos and they sell a lot.)
I wait 15 days for my editorial pictures in january...
It seems Shutterstock is completely dead, both in terms of revenue and the adoption of new visuals. I hope things will turn around, but I highly doubt it.
Have they removed the keywording tool? I can't find it any more.
Quote from: synthetick on February 17, 2026, 08:51
Have they removed the keywording tool? I can't find it any more.
Yip, it's gone :( An exciting new tool is coming for 2026
Waiting times are well out of hand at the moment. 3-4 weeks for a batch of editorial photos and counting, just as slow as Pond5 now!
All the big sales are gone from SS. I don't see anything higher than $3 anymore, which is crazy for Shutterstock. I'm Level 5 for images, and I used to have sales like that on a daily basis. Not anymore this year, they clearly changed something.
Quote from: click.baty on February 17, 2026, 10:31
Quote from: synthetick on February 17, 2026, 08:51
Have they removed the keywording tool? I can't find it any more.
Yip, it's gone :( An exciting new tool is coming for 2026
Sad, I loved that keywording tool.
In mid-February 2026, I am at exactly one percent of the revenue I had on February 17, 2016. I checked: my images have become completely invisible in the Shutterstock search. All the images that had four-digit download numbers have completely disappeared. I have no idea if this is related to the fact that I selected "Image data licensing – no." Or if other factors are at play. On average, each of my images has more than 60 downloads on Shutterstock. Apparently, that's not enough to remain visible. All I can say is that I haven't uploaded anything to Shutterstock for a long time and won't be doing so again. Because if an image doesn't reach a certain number of downloads, it's no longer worth the effort. Especially not in times when the RPD is getting lower and lower. If we've reached the point where I only get $6 for those 60 downloads per image today, there's no point in feeding the beast!
Quote from: DaLiu on February 17, 2026, 11:29
All the big sales are gone from SS. I don't see anything higher than $3 anymore, which is crazy for Shutterstock. I'm Level 5 for images, and I used to have sales like that on a daily basis. Not anymore this year, they clearly changed something.
If even you have reason to complain now, things must really be bad at Shutterstock.
What I find odd is that there were contributors who saw big drops a year ago while others (at that time) seemed to be cruising along. Now others are seeing big drops now. SS must be "experimenting" with perhaps different marketing in different geographic areas or doing other types of experimentation. It's one thing if "everyone" seems to be seeing similar ups or downs, but when some contributors have seen big drops over a year ago and now others (who were doing fine a year ago) are suddenly seeing big drops now...Very weird!!
None of your comments make any sense to me....If you were making a minimum $0.35us prior to Shutterstock slashing contributor commissions, isn't it obvious you're going to make a lot less now regardless of how many sales you make? And how much money are you REALLY making if you consider things like:
1. Equipment costs
2. Travel time and location fees
3. Agency none payment issues, etc.
Unless you're a masochist, I don't understand how this business is still luring contributors into their sites. Shutterstock's home page statement: "Join Shutterstock's global community and earn money doing what you love"...is true but does the time, effort and expense make it worth it?
i've opted into the image training dataset, but have 1400 images that it says are eligible, but many have been sitting there for > 4 months - support just says it may take up to 8 weeks for approval!
Quote from: Asthebelltolls on February 17, 2026, 23:07
If you were making a minimum $0.35us prior to Shutterstock slashing contributor commissions, isn't it obvious you're going to make a lot less now regardless of how many sales you make?
True, and not only am I making less money, mostly dimes now, but there are fewer downloads and licenses. The math is much easier if anyone takes a couple minutes to be realistic.
To make the same as before, where middle range we got 35¢ a DL, we'd have to have 3.5X the old number of DLs, just to equal the same earnings. Instead of just a commission drop we also have a huge DL drop. Maybe not everyone, but most people have seen that.
I had more DLs in Jan/Feb 2015 than I did in the entire year 2025. I made more money in those two months than the entire year of 2025. You're right. Most people are making a lot less. I don't have any video on SSTK, which could change things if someone does that. Photo Only.
Well, they dekcuf up Envanto and Pond 5 for me, so yes they are an embarrassment, more like vampires.
Hello,
I live in Turkey, and this experience I'm about to describe applies to Turkey.
When I access Shutterstock from my computer as a customer, the results are displayed as "All images." However, when I access Shutterstock from my phone as a customer, only "Unlimited" images are displayed. It's necessary to select "All images" from the filters.
Many customers are unaware of this, and even if they don't subscribe to an unlimited subscription, they only see "Unlimited" content in the search results, leading them to make their selections from there. Therefore, those who don't provide content for unlimited subscriptions see a significant decrease in their income.
If Shutterstock were a company managed from Turkey, it would face very large fines from the Competition Authority under Turkish law. They can display "Unlimited" images in searches, but this should be a user-selective option. "All images" should be displayed first on the search page. By displaying "Unlimited" images, they are showing leniency to a small number of participants who accept it, while penalizing those who don't, thus violating competition and committing a crime.
If they were in Turkey, I would file a complaint. But I don't know how or where to file a complaint from here in the USA. If US law also allows competition, they will consider the complaint.
SS AI review flagged up my image for being AI, which obviously it's not. Strange.
Quote from: Brasilnut on February 28, 2026, 10:20
SS AI review flagged up my image for being AI, which obviously it's not. Strange.
Technology, however advanced, is the sum total of technological and human failure. But acting with unparalleled speed, it then appears as a super-efficient solution.
The lazy human is the authoritarian pilot of these technologies within tech companies. The human who is a victim of injustice can always cry out, but will only be heard by polite, oblivious, and deaf algorithms.
Yes, it's worrying.
350$ from unlimited this month, every month is higher and higher.
No sales for 2 weeks at Shutterstock (with 20K videos), used to make multiple sales a day ;D
Well no payout for two months (Jan & Feb) for the first time since 2013.
$10 for Jan
$8 for Feb
Used to get regular $300 to $400 payouts every month :(
Lowest month since 2009. Seems my search result placement is gone. I see no reason to continue uploading.
Down here as well since the start of the year, now below $100
Lowest month ever: 34$. Even in my first month in 2014 I made double that.
Yes, Shutterstock is (almost) dead to me too. $8 for the entire month of February. The worst month since I joined them. Unbelievable. It's not even worth the effort to check sales, not to mention taking pictures/videos, editing them, uploading them, etc...
If anyone wants to get into stock photography and reads my post, I highly recommend and strongly advise them to look for something else. This industry is dead for people like us.
:-\
I didn't get a single video download on SS in February.
This is almost definitely a stupid question, but is there any possible way to revitalise my video sales on SS - even slightly? For example, by deleting and re-uploading my (now presumably dead) bestsellers? Might they get more visibility that way? I don't expect anything like the $$$$ I used to get per month in the old days, but I feel that I could generate a couple of hundred dollars per month if my videos had improved visibility. For context I have always continued to upload the same videos to SS as I upload to the other sites and I'm very happy with sales on Adobe and iStock/Getty.
Quote from: synthetick on March 02, 2026, 08:15
I didn't get a single video download on SS in February.
This is almost definitely a stupid question, but is there any possible way to revitalise my video sales on SS - even slightly? For example, by deleting and re-uploading my (now presumably dead) bestsellers? Might they get more visibility that way? I don't expect anything like the $$$$ I used to get per month in the old days, but I feel that I could generate a couple of hundred dollars per month if my videos had improved visibility. For context I have always continued to upload the same videos to SS as I upload to the other sites and I'm very happy with sales on Adobe and iStock/Getty.
Nor did I, both on Pond 5 (SS owned) and SS. Very unusual for SS, but then again my usual $150-$200 a month was $80 for Feb.
Shutterstock
Feb 2026 +21% earnings -15% downloads (compared to Feb 2025)
I opted out of the unlimited downloads program.
My downloads are down, but my RPD is good, and I've made a lot of sales >$10. Level 4.
Will not joining the unlimited program raise my RPD?
Quote from: synthetick on March 02, 2026, 08:15
I didn't get a single video download on SS in February.
This is almost definitely a stupid question, but is there any possible way to revitalise my video sales on SS - even slightly? For example, by deleting and re-uploading my (now presumably dead) bestsellers? Might they get more visibility that way? I don't expect anything like the $$$$ I used to get per month in the old days, but I feel that I could generate a couple of hundred dollars per month if my videos had improved visibility. For context I have always continued to upload the same videos to SS as I upload to the other sites and I'm very happy with sales on Adobe and iStock/Getty.
If only your bestsellers then it might work, but you'll have to wait a long period before re-uploading them or the system might flag them. As to how long I have no idea.
Have you considered re-making your bestsellers and/or improving them in some way so that even though they are similar they are still 'new'.
Quote from: synthetick on March 02, 2026, 08:15
I didn't get a single video download on SS in February.
This is almost definitely a stupid question, but is there any possible way to revitalise my video sales on SS - even slightly? For example, by deleting and re-uploading my (now presumably dead) bestsellers? Might they get more visibility that way? I don't expect anything like the $$$$ I used to get per month in the old days, but I feel that I could generate a couple of hundred dollars per month if my videos had improved visibility. For context I have always continued to upload the same videos to SS as I upload to the other sites and I'm very happy with sales on Adobe and iStock/Getty.
SSTK has been flagging images as duplicates, even if they are not accepted. And how do you know it will be accepted? Then there's the problem that image rank, you just went back to the bottom and any sales history is lost. I really think that the whole, delete and upload again myth was from a couple of people who had some crazy idea, that a new image, would get a better placement and for some mysterious and magical reason, get downloads.
The problem is, there are too many new images, and anything new, is buried just as fast as it gets accepted. This isn't the old days and wasting time, trying to game the system, has more hazards and negatives than some trick that will suddenly change the fact that SSTK is dying.
by deleting and re-uploading My answer is NO! Don't do it.
Quote from: Bauman on March 03, 2026, 16:08
Shutterstock
Feb 2026 +21% earnings -15% downloads (compared to Feb 2025)
I opted out of the unlimited downloads program.
My downloads are down, but my RPD is good, and I've made a lot of sales >$10. Level 4.
Will not joining the unlimited program raise my RPD?
When I go search on SS I only see the unlimited. I don't want the unlimited, but they are forcing the default to unlimited and our work is being hidden. But that's one reason so many of us are seeing less downloads. Our photos are hidden from the search.
Quote from: YadaYadaYada on March 04, 2026, 20:40
When I go search on SS I only see the unlimited. I don't want the unlimited, but they are forcing the default to unlimited and our work is being hidden. But that's one reason so many of us are seeing less downloads. Our photos are hidden from the search.
I did a keyword search with the anonymous browser, and out of over 200,000 results, 12 of my images appeared in the first 100 photos.
Historically, I've always been at the top with this keyword and have always had between 8 and 15 images on the first page.
So I'm not seeing anything new.
And I've opted out of the unlimited download program.
The drop in downloads is in line with the slow decline I've been experiencing on SS for the past four years (-10/15% each year). However, it doesn't seem like my photos are being hidden. I sell 30 to 50 of them every day.
Quote from: Bauman on March 04, 2026, 23:07
Quote from: YadaYadaYada on March 04, 2026, 20:40
When I go search on SS I only see the unlimited. I don't want the unlimited, but they are forcing the default to unlimited and our work is being hidden. But that's one reason so many of us are seeing less downloads. Our photos are hidden from the search.
I did a keyword search with the anonymous browser, and out of over 200,000 results, 12 of my images appeared in the first 100 photos.
Historically, I've always been at the top with this keyword and have always had between 8 and 15 images on the first page.
So I'm not seeing anything new. And I've opted out of the unlimited download program.
The drop in downloads is in line with the slow decline I've been experiencing on SS for the past four years (-10/15% each year). However, it doesn't seem like my photos are being hidden. I sell 30 to 50 of them every day.
You're true. Same for me. Default search is not set to unlimited (I use 4 different browsers on internet, so I tested). For a one-word search, I still have 6 of my photos at the first page, out of more than 400,000 results.
Quote from: Bauman on March 04, 2026, 23:07
Quote from: YadaYadaYada on March 04, 2026, 20:40
When I go search on SS I only see the unlimited. I don't want the unlimited, but they are forcing the default to unlimited and our work is being hidden. But that's one reason so many of us are seeing less downloads. Our photos are hidden from the search.
I did a keyword search with the anonymous browser, and out of over 200,000 results, 12 of my images appeared in the first 100 photos.
Historically, I've always been at the top with this keyword and have always had between 8 and 15 images on the first page.
So I'm not seeing anything new. And I've opted out of the unlimited download program.
The drop in downloads is in line with the slow decline I've been experiencing on SS for the past four years (-10/15% each year). However, it doesn't seem like my photos are being hidden. I sell 30 to 50 of them every day.
The unlimited plan hurts video portfolios more than photo portfolios, which is probably why you're still seeing decent results, even if visibility has dropped.
I think video contributors who haven't joined the plan have had the biggest impact. Traditionally, videos ($79/clip) were much more expensive than photos, but now buyers can download up to 100 video assets per day. For video buyers, it's almost a no-brainer to pay $99/month. I know I would if I were a buyer.
Photos are already cheaper, so the value of the unlimited plan isn't as dramatic for photo buyers as it is for video buyers.
Quote from: YadaYadaYada on March 04, 2026, 20:40
Our photos are hidden from the search.
@danielvisuals YadaYadaYada wrote
photos and I replied about the
photos
Quote from: danielvisuals on March 05, 2026, 12:13
Quote from: Bauman on March 04, 2026, 23:07
Quote from: YadaYadaYada on March 04, 2026, 20:40
When I go search on SS I only see the unlimited. I don't want the unlimited, but they are forcing the default to unlimited and our work is being hidden. But that's one reason so many of us are seeing less downloads. Our photos are hidden from the search.
I did a keyword search with the anonymous browser, and out of over 200,000 results, 12 of my images appeared in the first 100 photos.
Historically, I've always been at the top with this keyword and have always had between 8 and 15 images on the first page.
So I'm not seeing anything new. And I've opted out of the unlimited download program.
The drop in downloads is in line with the slow decline I've been experiencing on SS for the past four years (-10/15% each year). However, it doesn't seem like my photos are being hidden. I sell 30 to 50 of them every day.
The unlimited plan hurts video portfolios more than photo portfolios, which is probably why you're still seeing decent results, even if visibility has dropped.
I think video contributors who haven't joined the plan have had the biggest impact. Traditionally, videos ($79/clip) were much more expensive than photos, but now buyers can download up to 100 video assets per day. For video buyers, it's almost a no-brainer to pay $99/month. I know I would if I were a buyer.
Photos are already cheaper, so the value of the unlimited plan isn't as dramatic for photo buyers as it is for video buyers.
Agree. Video was the bulk of my income and now that I'm not part of the unlimited program, it's practically gone. With one move they gave the middle finger to a huge part of their contributors and created an agency withing the agency. Congrats to those lucky few
This only happens on shutterstock.
Quote from: danielvisuals on March 12, 2026, 03:57
This only happens on shutterstock.
I'd take one of those.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kvpr7Zj8/happy_sales_400.gif)
Quote from: danielvisuals on March 12, 2026, 03:57
This only happens on shutterstock.
Congrats. Someone is getting sales :)
Nearly halfway through the month and only $5.00
I've never seen it so bad.
Quote from: stocker2011 on March 14, 2026, 20:54
Nearly halfway through the month and only $5.00
I've never seen it so bad.
I'm not as good at this as most of the people here, but you're 100% on. I'll just fall back to, I used to make in a day on SSTK, what I make in a month now. How big is the hole in the boat? Can many people bail water, upload new or create something that sells, faster than the water comes in? Or is the ship sinking irreparably, and it's time to abandon the ship. We are on that sinking ship and it's not our work that's the cause of the problems.
Looking for a day job.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on March 14, 2026, 23:58
Quote from: stocker2011 on March 14, 2026, 20:54
Nearly halfway through the month and only $5.00
I've never seen it so bad.
Looking for a day job.
Same here :)
Hello, dear stockers and forum users.
I'm new here, but I've been involved in photography and video for 20 years. I've been selling photos and videos on Shutterstock for 14 of those years.
Starting in January 2026, it became impossible to sell commercial photos on Shutterstock—the artificial intelligence rejects high-quality photos in literally a second and transfers them to the Data Marketplace. This means my photos will never be seen or offered for sale. My income has dropped eightfold and continues to decline. It's impossible to make money from editorial photos alone.
I've contacted the standard support form many times, but I always get the same standard response from the AI.
It's impossible to contact a live person!
How can you trust AI verification? Did Shutterstock fire all its human inspectors?
Why are we losing our income?
Furthermore, Shutterstock's owners and employees are losing income and wages because potential buyers can't buy what they need!
Furthermore, the AI often rejects photos with the reason, "This photo has already been uploaded to the site by another account."
BUT! This can't happen! I don't have other accounts. My photos are unique.
I have trusted editorial content writer status on Shutterstock, but even this privilege doesn't allow me to upload editorial content—the AI rejects photos related to various current events.
Dear photographers, how do you combat the AI? Are you able to upload commercial (non-editorial) photos?
If so, what should you do?
Quote from: Stern01 on March 24, 2026, 05:04
Hello, dear stockers and forum users.
I'm new here, but I've been involved in photography and video for 20 years. I've been selling photos and videos on Shutterstock for 14 of those years.
Starting in January 2026, it became impossible to sell commercial photos on Shutterstock—the artificial intelligence rejects high-quality photos in literally a second and transfers them to the Data Marketplace. This means my photos will never be seen or offered for sale. My income has dropped eightfold and continues to decline. It's impossible to make money from editorial photos alone.
I've contacted the standard support form many times, but I always get the same standard response from the AI.
It's impossible to contact a live person!
How can you trust AI verification? Did Shutterstock fire all its human inspectors?
Why are we losing our income?
Furthermore, Shutterstock's owners and employees are losing income and wages because potential buyers can't buy what they need!
Furthermore, the AI often rejects photos with the reason, "This photo has already been uploaded to the site by another account."
BUT! This can't happen! I don't have other accounts. My photos are unique.
I have trusted editorial content writer status on Shutterstock, but even this privilege doesn't allow me to upload editorial content—the AI rejects photos related to various current events.
Dear photographers, how do you combat the AI? Are you able to upload commercial (non-editorial) photos?
If so, what should you do?
Wellcome here,
It sounds really strange to me. I contribute since 2006 to SS (20 years). I upload regularly and have very near 100% acceptance, editorial, commercial, vectors and few videos.
Sometimes I'm asked to resubmit commercial photos as editorial content, so they aren't rejected. I find this approach respectful and rarely encountered (Dreamstime does it too).
I just regret seeing the very low (even humiliating) amount of most royalties, especially since many of my editorial images are published in the travel agencies and press (print media and web) in many countries.
Few people combat AI here, but I do, radically! (I am old school and I like human mind and spirit natural structure) ;)
Here is my feedback.
Quote from: Stern01 on March 24, 2026, 05:04
Furthermore, the AI often rejects photos with the reason, "This photo has already been uploaded to the site by another account."
BUT! This can't happen! I don't have other accounts. My photos are unique.
If so, what should you do?
Have you written to support and opened a ticket?
[email protected] Do you share the camera? I can understand if it said similar, but AI claiming the image has already been uploaded to another account is a larger problem. What happens if they start to think that you are uploading copied or stolen images, because they are already on the system? Your account could be closed.
Shutterstock embarassment continues... and continues... .... .... and continues.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on March 26, 2026, 18:18
Quote from: Stern01 on March 24, 2026, 05:04
Furthermore, the AI often rejects photos with the reason, "This photo has already been uploaded to the site by another account."
BUT! This can't happen! I don't have other accounts. My photos are unique.
If so, what should you do?
Have you written to support and opened a ticket? [email protected]
Do you share the camera? I can understand if it said similar, but AI claiming the image has already been uploaded to another account is a larger problem. What happens if they start to think that you are uploading copied or stolen images, because they are already on the system? Your account could be closed.
I contacted tech support about this issue. But the response was a robot, telling me to only upload my own. Incidentally, this happens specifically after re-uploading the same image.
Yes. The situation with Shutterstock is getting worse and worse every day. The only alternative is Adobe. But that's not enough. It's a shame that someone else in our world can't create an alternative, fair stock.
Quote from: DiscreetDuck on March 25, 2026, 10:34
Quote from: Stern01 on March 24, 2026, 05:04
Hello, dear stockers and forum users.
I'm new here, but I've been involved in photography and video for 20 years. I've been selling photos and videos on Shutterstock for 14 of those years.
Starting in January 2026, it became impossible to sell commercial photos on Shutterstock—the artificial intelligence rejects high-quality photos in literally a second and transfers them to the Data Marketplace. This means my photos will never be seen or offered for sale. My income has dropped eightfold and continues to decline. It's impossible to make money from editorial photos alone.
I've contacted the standard support form many times, but I always get the same standard response from the AI.
It's impossible to contact a live person!
How can you trust AI verification? Did Shutterstock fire all its human inspectors?
Why are we losing our income?
Furthermore, Shutterstock's owners and employees are losing income and wages because potential buyers can't buy what they need!
Furthermore, the AI often rejects photos with the reason, "This photo has already been uploaded to the site by another account."
BUT! This can't happen! I don't have other accounts. My photos are unique.
I have trusted editorial content writer status on Shutterstock, but even this privilege doesn't allow me to upload editorial content—the AI rejects photos related to various current events.
Dear photographers, how do you combat the AI? Are you able to upload commercial (non-editorial) photos?
If so, what should you do?
Wellcome here,
It sounds really strange to me. I contribute since 2006 to SS (20 years). I upload regularly and have very near 100% acceptance, editorial, commercial, vectors and few videos.
Sometimes I'm asked to resubmit commercial photos as editorial content, so they aren't rejected. I find this approach respectful and rarely encountered (Dreamstime does it too).
I just regret seeing the very low (even humiliating) amount of most royalties, especially since many of my editorial images are published in the travel agencies and press (print media and web) in many countries.
Few people combat AI here, but I do, radically! (I am old school and I like human mind and spirit natural structure) ;)
Here is my feedback.
You are combating AI by spamming the forum with your never ending rant?
Quote from: alan b traehern on March 27, 2026, 09:25
Quote from: DiscreetDuck on March 25, 2026, 10:34
Wellcome here,
It sounds really strange to me. I contribute since 2006 to SS (20 years). I upload regularly and have very near 100% acceptance, editorial, commercial, vectors and few videos.
Sometimes I'm asked to resubmit commercial photos as editorial content, so they aren't rejected. I find this approach respectful and rarely encountered (Dreamstime does it too).
I just regret seeing the very low (even humiliating) amount of most royalties, especially since many of my editorial images are published in the travel agencies and press (print media and web) in many countries.
Few people combat AI here, but I do, radically! (I am old school and I like human mind and spirit natural structure) ;)
Here is my feedback.
You are combating AI by spamming the forum with your never ending rant?
I am politely responding here to a proposal to exchange experiences; I hope this is not a problem.
And you, other readers, do you agree or not?
You can "+1" my message, or "+1" his message as you want. Thanks.
Quote from: Stern01 on March 24, 2026, 05:04
Hello, dear stockers and forum users.
I'm new here, but I've been involved in photography and video for 20 years. I've been selling photos and videos on Shutterstock for 14 of those years.
Starting in January 2026, it became impossible to sell commercial photos on Shutterstock—the artificial intelligence rejects high-quality photos in literally a second and transfers them to the Data Marketplace. This means my photos will never be seen or offered for sale. My income has dropped eightfold and continues to decline. It's impossible to make money from editorial photos alone.
I've contacted the standard support form many times, but I always get the same standard response from the AI.
It's impossible to contact a live person!
How can you trust AI verification? Did Shutterstock fire all its human inspectors?
Why are we losing our income?
Furthermore, Shutterstock's owners and employees are losing income and wages because potential buyers can't buy what they need!
Furthermore, the AI often rejects photos with the reason, "This photo has already been uploaded to the site by another account."
BUT! This can't happen! I don't have other accounts. My photos are unique.
I have trusted editorial content writer status on Shutterstock, but even this privilege doesn't allow me to upload editorial content—the AI rejects photos related to various current events.
Dear photographers, how do you combat the AI? Are you able to upload commercial (non-editorial) photos?
If so, what should you do?
I'e seen the reviewing policies fluctuating the past years at Shutterstock. Some period of time they seem to accept just anything you throw at them. At other times they come across as very random and reject perfectly fine images for whatever reason that surely doesn't make any sense. Sometimes the review is fast, sometimes slow.
As it is for me currently: they accept everything, nothing to the data catalog, but reviewing is slow, it can take up to a week.
But it might be different for other users, I don't know.
Regarding A.I. reviewing: I've been suspecting them to do that yes, or at least use A.I. as a first filter to weed out real junk.
But on the other hand, if it's fully A.I., why would it take so long and why would it be so inconsistent?
A.I. is by no means perfect and for sure error prone, just as lazy humans would be.
But the technology really improved and I'm pretty confident that A.I. "can" do pretty consistent and good reviewing if they really wanted to.
Only, any decent A.I. would suck up huge amounts of energy to process the millions of images that are fed to the beast on a daily basis, and I'm not sure that at this point it would be cheaper to use instead of hiring a clickfarm company that reviews images.
No unlimited plan = invisible for costumers
What do I have to do to be part of this masquerade, sorry I mean this "unlimited plan"?
Quote from: Roscoe on March 27, 2026, 13:37
Regarding A.I. reviewing: I've been suspecting them to do that yes, or at least use A.I. as a first filter to weed out real junk.
You don't have to suspect that, it was in the reports when they were going public that they used proprietary software for image intake. Later in the stockholders annual report. But in support of more recent trends, the rejections to Data that take seconds, are not done by live humans and the real reviews that take weeks are. Yes, they are using AI for intake. :) Right now dark images are most hated by AI and a sky photo or night shot will get rejected in minutes, and sent off to data licensing. (and of course that takes time, so I always get to delete the images, before that happens.)
You are correct.
Quote from: Thomas-Luc on March 27, 2026, 18:18
No unlimited plan = invisible for costumers
What do I have to do to be part of this masquerade, sorry I mean this "unlimited plan"?
I don't think you are invisible, customers are just switching to unlimited plan. My downloads have dropped to 1/3 of what i had in the last two years. And unlimited earnings don't compensate for the loss.
Quote from: Thomas-Luc on March 27, 2026, 18:18
No unlimited plan = invisible for costumers
What do I have to do to be part of this masquerade, sorry I mean this "unlimited plan"?
I opted out of the unlimited downloads plan ...
In March 2026, compared to 2025, I lost 18% of my downloads, but gained 15%.
I think if you have high-quality images or videos, it's best to opt out. At least for now.
The unlimited plans have two major problems: the
very low RPD and the risk of your images being downloaded everywhere.
I signed up for the unlimited plan only on Envato, but with a small portion of my portfolio (15-20%). I only upload my worst images to Envato.
The result is a RPD of 0.02/0.03, and I've found my images uploaded to Freepik and other similar sites three times already. Luckily, they removed them after I reported it. And they were ONLY the ones from Envato.
I appreciate your feedback regarding the unlimited plan.
During the 2020s I managed to make around $700/$800 by month (around 1000 downloads) on Shutterstock, after the 10 cent episode $400 (600 downloads) and now I can't even get past $100 (150/200 downloads)...
That's why I feel completely invisible.
This is very valuable feedback, thank you for sharing.
I'm not in the Unlimited program, but it's interesting to see how my sales have changed since it came in. I shoot mostly editorial and have found my sales are actually growing. That said, I have noticed video sales are down, despite doubling my video assets in 2025. With Pond5 dead in the water, I don't really have a good alternative for editorial footage now. I'm not sure the Unlimited Shutterstock would recoup those sales. I just don't like the lack of transparency in the sales figures. At least with iStock they tell you when you get pennies for a clip ;)
Quote from: Bauman on March 31, 2026, 14:17
Quote from: Thomas-Luc on March 27, 2026, 18:18
No unlimited plan = invisible for costumers
What do I have to do to be part of this masquerade, sorry I mean this "unlimited plan"?
I opted out of the unlimited downloads plan ...
In March 2026, compared to 2025, I lost 18% of my downloads, but gained 15%.
I think if you have high-quality images or videos, it's best to opt out. At least for now.
The unlimited plans have two major problems: the very low RPD and the risk of your images being downloaded everywhere.
I signed up for the unlimited plan only on Envato, but with a small portion of my portfolio (15-20%). I only upload my worst images to Envato.
The result is a RPD of 0.02/0.03, and I've found my images uploaded to Freepik and other similar sites three times already. Luckily, they removed them after I reported it. And they were ONLY the ones from Envato.
Quote from: DiscreetDuck on March 25, 2026, 10:34
Quote from: Stern01 on March 24, 2026, 05:04
Hello, dear stockers and forum users.
I'm new here, but I've been involved in photography and video for 20 years. I've been selling photos and videos on Shutterstock for 14 of those years.
Starting in January 2026, it became impossible to sell commercial photos on Shutterstock—the artificial intelligence rejects high-quality photos in literally a second and transfers them to the Data Marketplace. This means my photos will never be seen or offered for sale. My income has dropped eightfold and continues to decline. It's impossible to make money from editorial photos alone.
I've contacted the standard support form many times, but I always get the same standard response from the AI.
It's impossible to contact a live person!
How can you trust AI verification? Did Shutterstock fire all its human inspectors?
Why are we losing our income?
Furthermore, Shutterstock's owners and employees are losing income and wages because potential buyers can't buy what they need!
Furthermore, the AI often rejects photos with the reason, "This photo has already been uploaded to the site by another account."
BUT! This can't happen! I don't have other accounts. My photos are unique.
I have trusted editorial content writer status on Shutterstock, but even this privilege doesn't allow me to upload editorial content—the AI rejects photos related to various current events.
Dear photographers, how do you combat the AI? Are you able to upload commercial (non-editorial) photos?
If so, what should you do?
Wellcome here,
It sounds really strange to me. I contribute since 2006 to SS (20 years). I upload regularly and have very near 100% acceptance, editorial, commercial, vectors and few videos.
Sometimes I'm asked to resubmit commercial photos as editorial content, so they aren't rejected. I find this approach respectful and rarely encountered (Dreamstime does it too).
I just regret seeing the very low (even humiliating) amount of most royalties, especially since many of my editorial images are published in the travel agencies and press (print media and web) in many countries.
Few people combat AI here, but I do, radically! (I am old school and I like human mind and spirit natural structure) ;)
Here is my feedback.
Due to their slow reviews ive had a few thousand images in the queue and very lately seen my first, and increasing "AI" rejections. None are AI, ive never used AI. Ive got no interest in using AI.
From yesterday some of my SOOC Editorial pictures in a public park got "AI" rejection. Not even clone/remove tools used. Nothing.
No point appealing this nonsense as you'll never hear from a real person. Wonder if they block accounts for "AI" abuse, a lot of which will be false positives...
Quote from: gnirtS on April 01, 2026, 03:28
Quote from: DiscreetDuck on March 25, 2026, 10:34
Quote from: Stern01 on March 24, 2026, 05:04
Hello, dear stockers and forum users.
I'm new here, but I've been involved in photography and video for 20 years. I've been selling photos and videos on Shutterstock for 14 of those years.
Starting in January 2026, it became impossible to sell commercial photos on Shutterstock—the artificial intelligence rejects high-quality photos in literally a second and transfers them to the Data Marketplace. This means my photos will never be seen or offered for sale. My income has dropped eightfold and continues to decline. It's impossible to make money from editorial photos alone.
I've contacted the standard support form many times, but I always get the same standard response from the AI.
It's impossible to contact a live person!
How can you trust AI verification? Did Shutterstock fire all its human inspectors?
Why are we losing our income?
Furthermore, Shutterstock's owners and employees are losing income and wages because potential buyers can't buy what they need!
Furthermore, the AI often rejects photos with the reason, "This photo has already been uploaded to the site by another account."
BUT! This can't happen! I don't have other accounts. My photos are unique.
I have trusted editorial content writer status on Shutterstock, but even this privilege doesn't allow me to upload editorial content—the AI rejects photos related to various current events.
Dear photographers, how do you combat the AI? Are you able to upload commercial (non-editorial) photos?
If so, what should you do?
Wellcome here,
It sounds really strange to me. I contribute since 2006 to SS (20 years). I upload regularly and have very near 100% acceptance, editorial, commercial, vectors and few videos.
Sometimes I'm asked to resubmit commercial photos as editorial content, so they aren't rejected. I find this approach respectful and rarely encountered (Dreamstime does it too).
I just regret seeing the very low (even humiliating) amount of most royalties, especially since many of my editorial images are published in the travel agencies and press (print media and web) in many countries.
Few people combat AI here, but I do, radically! (I am old school and I like human mind and spirit natural structure) ;)
Here is my feedback.
Due to their slow reviews ive had a few thousand images in the queue and very lately seen my first, and increasing "AI" rejections. None are AI, ive never used AI. Ive got no interest in using AI.
From yesterday some of my SOOC Editorial pictures in a public park got "AI" rejection. Not even clone/remove tools used. Nothing.
No point appealing this nonsense as you'll never hear from a real person. Wonder if they block accounts for "AI" abuse, a lot of which will be false positives...
That's strange. Did you possibly use any kind of tool that includes AI in your editing process, like upscaling?
So far I never had any image rejected for AI on SS, but it happened to me recently with an image on Getty. No idea why. It was just a "boring" photo of a spring flower, it wasn't even edited at all. Since it's a nice enough photo, but nothing unique and probably wouldn't sell anyways, I just let it go, but I would still like to know why getty thought it was an AI image or edited with Ai just to prevent things like this from happening in the future.
Quote from: Thomas-Luc on March 31, 2026, 15:40
I appreciate your feedback regarding the unlimited plan.
During the 2020s I managed to make around $700/$800 by month (around 1000 downloads) on Shutterstock, after the 10 cent episode $400 (600 downloads) and now I can't even get past $100 (150/200 downloads)...
That's why I feel completely invisible.
There's something beyond us and our downloads. SSTK has lost business and customers and has been losing money for the last three years. When they lose, then we lose. I'm not defending the dime downloads, but just pointing out, this isn't all about us. The whole agency has gone down the drain.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on April 01, 2026, 16:25
Quote from: Thomas-Luc on March 31, 2026, 15:40
I appreciate your feedback regarding the unlimited plan.
During the 2020s I managed to make around $700/$800 by month (around 1000 downloads) on Shutterstock, after the 10 cent episode $400 (600 downloads) and now I can't even get past $100 (150/200 downloads)...
That's why I feel completely invisible.
There's something beyond us and our downloads. SSTK has lost business and customers and has been losing money for the last three years. When they lose, then we lose. I'm not defending the dime downloads, but just pointing out, this isn't all about us. The whole agency has gone down the drain.
Uncle Pete, do you have portfolios with Adobe and iStock, even Pond5 for video? My concern with the merger is that whatever Shutterstock touches they break. But that said, Pond5 has picked back up again this year (so far). Adobe is way better earner than all others. iStock can be pretty good too but most earnings come from video rather than still images. I'm even delighted to see Storyblocks has picked up for me quite well in March but whether that continues or no.
Quote from: Pacesetter on April 01, 2026, 22:29
Quote from: Uncle Pete on April 01, 2026, 16:25
Quote from: Thomas-Luc on March 31, 2026, 15:40
I appreciate your feedback regarding the unlimited plan.
During the 2020s I managed to make around $700/$800 by month (around 1000 downloads) on Shutterstock, after the 10 cent episode $400 (600 downloads) and now I can't even get past $100 (150/200 downloads)...
That's why I feel completely invisible.
There's something beyond us and our downloads. SSTK has lost business and customers and has been losing money for the last three years. When they lose, then we lose. I'm not defending the dime downloads, but just pointing out, this isn't all about us. The whole agency has gone down the drain.
Uncle Pete, do you have portfolios with Adobe and iStock, even Pond5 for video? My concern with the merger is that whatever Shutterstock touches they break. But that said, Pond5 has picked back up again this year (so far). Adobe is way better earner than all others. iStock can be pretty good too but most earnings come from video rather than still images. I'm even delighted to see Storyblocks has picked up for me quite well in March but whether that continues or no.
My sales on pond5 have also picked up lately
Quote from: Her Ugliness on April 01, 2026, 07:28
That's strange. Did you possibly use any kind of tool that includes AI in your editing process, like upscaling?
So far I never had any image rejected for AI on SS, but it happened to me recently with an image on Getty. No idea why. It was just a "boring" photo of a spring flower, it wasn't even edited at all. Since it's a nice enough photo, but nothing unique and probably wouldn't sell anyways, I just let it go, but I would still like to know why getty thought it was an AI image or edited with Ai just to prevent things like this from happening in the future.
Nope. Editorial literally direct from my R6 or R7 into lightroom, possibly a slight crop and straight out (its editorial).
RF the same, im doing it in bulk for work so its nothing more than a crop and sometimes level.
Id never had a rejection for AI at all until this week and now i have quite a few (in the 2000 or so approved in last 2 months). I think they're introducing new tools/algorithms to help speed their increasing slow, backlogged, growing review queue.
Quote from: Pacesetter on April 01, 2026, 22:29
Quote from: Uncle Pete on April 01, 2026, 16:25
Quote from: Thomas-Luc on March 31, 2026, 15:40
I appreciate your feedback regarding the unlimited plan.
During the 2020s I managed to make around $700/$800 by month (around 1000 downloads) on Shutterstock, after the 10 cent episode $400 (600 downloads) and now I can't even get past $100 (150/200 downloads)...
That's why I feel completely invisible.
There's something beyond us and our downloads. SSTK has lost business and customers and has been losing money for the last three years. When they lose, then we lose. I'm not defending the dime downloads, but just pointing out, this isn't all about us. The whole agency has gone down the drain.
Uncle Pete, do you have portfolios with Adobe and iStock, even Pond5 for video? My concern with the merger is that whatever Shutterstock touches they break. But that said, Pond5 has picked back up again this year (so far). Adobe is way better earner than all others. iStock can be pretty good too but most earnings come from video rather than still images. I'm even delighted to see Storyblocks has picked up for me quite well in March but whether that continues or no.
P5 exclusive for video which is dead and deader. I'm moving back to the others. SSTK, iStock, Adobe are virtually photo only. I just started uploading video to SSTK. I'm moving whatever passes to another folder and I'll be uploading to Adobe and iStock. Mine aren't a good indicator of what others videos are doing.
For some reason most of the concerns about the merger are about Editorial. Maybe not for us, but for the regulators. As far as what SSTK touches, gets broken, yes. This isn't really a merger, except on paper. Getty is taking over SSTK. I'd expect everything to be running by iStock/Getty standards within a year, and everything SSTK becoming obsolete.
Getty is taking over.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on April 02, 2026, 19:58
Getty is taking over.
Part of me thinks thats better than the other way around given what SS do to aquisitions.
The other part of me thinks "I really hope the god-awful keyword disambiguation crap doesnt come in".
Quote from: gnirtS on April 03, 2026, 12:44
Quote from: Uncle Pete on April 02, 2026, 19:58
Getty is taking over.
Part of me thinks thats better than the other way around given what SS do to aquisitions.
The other part of me thinks "I really hope the god-awful keyword disambiguation crap doesnt come in".
I expect that your worst fears about the CV, will be coming true, if there is a merger. On my end, if Getty does the same as they did to IS, I will be losing 90% of my SSTK images, which are Editorial News / Sports.
The point of this merger is that Getty is taking over. Anyone can hope all they want but SSTK is broken, losing money and being sold to Getty. The only reason it's not a straight sale is, because Getty can't afford the stock buyout. The alternative is, offering shares of GETY for the SSTK shares and call it a merger.
This is a take-over. Shutterstock is history.
Here are the terms. SSTK will be no more. Anyone who things SSTK will be managing or controlling anything, isn't reading the basic terms and facts of the take-over.
If the deal is approved, Shutterstock shareholders will receive a mix of cash and Getty Images stock, with three options available at closing:
All-cash option: $28.85 per share in cash
All-stock option: 13.67237 shares of Getty Images stock per SSTK share
Mixed option: $9.50 in cash plus 9.17 shares of Getty Images stock per SSTK shareNote, no more SSTK shares will exist. Shutterstock will be gone. Getty will be running the business.
That makes me hope that the dime downloads will be gone forever. While that program has fake percentage promises, we were still getting dines at the highest level. How could that happen? Because the value and prices were so low, that 35% of pennies is still only a dime for us. Of course for the negative view, we'll be getting 15%, no levels, no changes for images. Maybe 20% for video and Illustrations. I'm ignoring exclusives, that's a different story)
If this was today, the price paid per share, based on GETY being around 80 cents, would be $13 a share for each SSTK. But there's also a clause for pro-rated payment. I don't know if that changes things too much. But anyone being offered $28 instead of $13 would want to take the cash deal! ;D
Incredible slow half a month on SS compared with March, 50% less earnings compared with March until 15th. On the other side Adobe is doing very well, almost like they flipped sides, for me SS always performed double than AS.
Quote from: gnirtS on April 03, 2026, 12:44
Quote from: Uncle Pete on April 02, 2026, 19:58
Getty is taking over.
Part of me thinks thats better than the other way around given what SS do to aquisitions.
Just a note: Full Year 2024 vs. 2023, Net income: $35.9M (down from $110.3M) There's something pretty negative in that, while I'm ignoring all the progress, future, promising, BS, Etc. They lost 66% of their income. They increased their income in 2025 by improving dataset sales. The stock photo business is responsible for 80% of the revenue for SSTK.
So for all the acquisitions, (and you're right) the majority of the revenue still comes from stock images, and that business is struggling.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on April 15, 2026, 18:43
Quote from: gnirtS on April 03, 2026, 12:44
Quote from: Uncle Pete on April 02, 2026, 19:58
Getty is taking over.
Part of me thinks thats better than the other way around given what SS do to aquisitions.
Just a note: Full Year 2024 vs. 2023, Net income: $35.9M (down from $110.3M) There's something pretty negative in that, while I'm ignoring all the progress, future, promising, BS, Etc. They lost 66% of their income. They increased their income in 2025 by improving dataset sales. The stock photo business is about 80% of the revenue for SSTK.
So for all the acquisitions, (and you're right) the majority of the revenue still comes from stock images, and that business is struggling.
I think Shutterstock is pretty much done.
Quote from: DaLiu on April 15, 2026, 16:40
Incredible slow half a month on SS compared with March, 50% less earnings compared with March until 15th. On the other side Adobe is doing very well, almost like they flipped sides, for me SS always performed double than AS.
Very similar here. On Shutterstock, March was okay ... not great but okay. April has been terrible so far and I'm about 50% down on downloads and income is worse. Adobe in March was pretty good. A bit slower in April but nothing like as bad as Shutterstock.
Modify message
Quote from: Jaggy on April 15, 2026, 19:45
Quote from: Uncle Pete on April 15, 2026, 18:43
Quote from: gnirtS on April 03, 2026, 12:44
Quote from: Uncle Pete on April 02, 2026, 19:58
Getty is taking over.
Part of me thinks thats better than the other way around given what SS do to aquisitions.
Just a note: Full Year 2024 vs. 2023, Net income: $35.9M (down from $110.3M) There's something pretty negative in that, while I'm ignoring all the progress, future, promising, BS, Etc. They lost 66% of their income. They increased their income in 2025 by improving dataset sales. The stock photo business is about 80% of the revenue for SSTK.
So for all the acquisitions, (and you're right) the majority of the revenue still comes from stock images, and that business is struggling.
I think Shutterstock is pretty much done.
Exactly how I see it, too.
I was also pretty discouraged with my January-February and March sales on Shutterstock, but just yesterday sold two images for $52.82 each. Quite ordinary photos too. I've noticed that over the years, Shutterstock is the only agency that does have those high-value sales for photos.
Interestingly, April has seen a major turnaround; sales this month have already surpassed the combined total of January, February, and March.
Im showing the same as above, March was decent (by the "new" low standards). April is 50% that. Even allowing for large scale holidays it pretty bad.
15K videos, daily uploads. March 90$ - April 28$ >:(
January: $25.73
February: $74.22
March: $54.45
April: $48.89
Compared to 2023 with average of $473 per month.
Meh.
Quote from: Pacesetter on April 17, 2026, 11:49
January: $25.73
February: $74.22
March: $54.45
April: $48.89
Compared to 2023 with average of $473 per month.
Meh.
That's not good. I hope having your portfolio on storyblocks makes up for that loss in income.
Not being part of the unlimited plan renders one's portfolio invisible especially for video contributors.
Quote from: danielvisuals on April 17, 2026, 12:55
Quote from: Pacesetter on April 17, 2026, 11:49
January: $25.73
February: $74.22
March: $54.45
April: $48.89
Compared to 2023 with average of $473 per month.
Meh.
That's not good. I hope having your portfolio on storyblocks makes up for that loss in income.
Not being part of the unlimited plan renders one's portfolio invisible especially for video contributors.
Thanks Danielvisuals funny you mention that as Story blocks picked up last month and I earned almost 3x the $$$ than on Shutterstock. This month not quite like March but sitting about 2x SB vs SS. Hopefully the uptick on SB continues. '
April 2023: 550$
April 2024: 471$
April 2025: 312$
April 2026: 9$
Whoop whoop
Quote from: Blammo on April 18, 2026, 23:40
April 2023: 550$
April 2024: 471$
April 2025: 312$
April 2026: 9$
Whoop whoop
That's deep.
Indeed, for me too, these are the lowest sales figures I've had since I started (in 2010), and they're dropping month after month...
There's not much left to say about this industry.
:-\
April 2015: $ 791,15
April 2016: $ 508,16
April 2017: $ 418,02
April 2018: $ 396,35
April 2019: $ 350,53
April 2020: $ 307,63
April 2021: $ 392,98
_________________
New revenue structure
________________
April 2022: $ 141,81
April 2023: $ 151,29
April 2024: $ 159,97
April 2025: $ 36,89
April 2026: $ 23,31
April 2023 445$
April 2024 481$
April 2025 424$
April 2026 38$
Sadly my income is decreasing on all agencies due to AI, but it's not as drastic anywhere else as it is on Shutterstock. And the development is not just because of AI, but because of different pricing. I used to get a lot of "on demand" sales for around 2.5$ and "singe and others" for 1-10$. Now almost everything is just 0.10-0.17$, no matter in what category. The categories don't even make sense, because there really isn't any difference in pricing anymore.
Quote from: Her Ugliness on April 20, 2026, 08:38
April 2023 445$
April 2024 481$
April 2025 424$
April 2026 38$
Sadly my income is decreasing on all agencies due to AI, but it's not as drastic anywhere else as it is on Shutterstock. And the development is not just because of AI, but because of different pricing. I used to get a lot of "on demand" sales for around 2.5$ and "singe and others" for 1-10$. Now almost everything is just 0.10-0.17$, no matter in what category. The categories don't even make sense, because there really isn't any difference in pricing anymore.
Outside of SS, have you seen the rate of year over year decrease take a visible downturn after the introduction of AI...or is it just continuing the same year over year decrease that existed before AI?
Quote from: wds on April 20, 2026, 13:59
Quote from: Her Ugliness on April 20, 2026, 08:38
April 2023 445$
April 2024 481$
April 2025 424$
April 2026 38$
Sadly my income is decreasing on all agencies due to AI, but it's not as drastic anywhere else as it is on Shutterstock. And the development is not just because of AI, but because of different pricing. I used to get a lot of "on demand" sales for around 2.5$ and "singe and others" for 1-10$. Now almost everything is just 0.10-0.17$, no matter in what category. The categories don't even make sense, because there really isn't any difference in pricing anymore.
Outside of SS, have you seen the rate of year over year decrease take a visible downturn after the introduction of AI...or is it just continuing the same year over year decrease that existed before AI?
For me the decrease started around autum last year on Adobe and at the end of 2024 on istock.
Before that my income had been increasing each year.
Quote from: rod-09 on April 17, 2026, 07:41
15K videos, daily uploads. March 90$ - April 28$ >:(
15K and continue to upload daily, why bother?
10K videos. I still upload, not daily, but at least a few per week.
March, 2024: $1.700
March, 2025: $900
March, 2026: $1.100
April, 2025: $1.150
April, 2026 (so far): $860
Not terrible, but I do see a definite downward trend.
Quote from: Stockhome Syndrome on April 20, 2026, 19:48
10K videos. I still upload, not daily, but at least a few per week.
March, 2024: $1.700
March, 2025: $900
March, 2026: $1.100
April, 2025: $1.150
April, 2026 (so far): $860
Not terrible, but I do see a definite downward trend.
Not terrible....really? And how much time and energy did you spend building up your portfolio? And what about expenses? Up-dating cameras? Lenses? Not to mention travel time and costs? Your compensation is terrible, IMO. If you're as good as you think, I would recommend starting your own, independent website and sell your videos getting 100% commission...
Quote from: Asthebelltolls on April 20, 2026, 23:39
Quote from: Stockhome Syndrome on April 20, 2026, 19:48
10K videos. I still upload, not daily, but at least a few per week.
March, 2024: $1.700
March, 2025: $900
March, 2026: $1.100
April, 2025: $1.150
April, 2026 (so far): $860
Not terrible, but I do see a definite downward trend.
Not terrible....really? And how much time and energy did you spend building up your portfolio? And what about expenses? Up-dating cameras? Lenses? Not to mention travel time and costs? Your compensation is terrible, IMO. If you're as good as you think, I would recommend starting your own, independent website and sell your videos getting 100% commission...
In this current environment, in particular with Shuttestock, are you doing any better? I don't see anywhere Stockhom has boasted how good he is, only to mention his earnings while not terrible are in decline too. It's good to see someone is still making something above what many of us are. I'm very interested to read of your stats.
Quote from: Pacesetter on April 21, 2026, 00:28
In this current environment, in particular with Shuttestock, are you doing any better? I don't see anywhere Stockhom has boasted how good he is, only to mention his earnings while not terrible are in decline too. It's good to see someone is still making something above what many of us are. I'm very interested to read of your stats.
I read here regularly, but I don't post too much. I think a key to success is to remain stealthy. Keep your head down, mind your own business, and work. But to get an idea of my particular decline, my peak at SS was in late 2019 when I made about $9K one month with about 3K fewer videos in my portfolio. It's been a steady downhill ride ever since, but more dramatically as of late.
My year-over-year results for April:
2015 – $1476.75
2016 – $3632.88
2017 – $4279.75
2018 – $3464.22
2019 – $4082.64
2020 – $3656.61
2021 – $3112.74
2022 – $2557.24
2023 – $2266.04
2024 – $1919.26
2025 – $941.15
2026 – $260.12
Still excluded from unlimited. Regular uploads don't help, new content sells occasionally, but the higher sales gone. Currently, Shutterstock is a waste of time for me.
It's a disaster. And to add salt to wounds, few of my bigger sales just disapeared overnight...
If this trend continues, I'll soon be selling more on Dramstime than on Shutterstock...
:-\
Quote from: FHphotography on April 21, 2026, 08:10
It's a disaster. And to add salt to wounds, few of my bigger sales just disapeared overnight...
That's the issue for me as well. The number of downloads hasn't dropped significantly—it's still within the normal range—but higher-value sales have completely disappeared. As a result, my income for April is currently about three times lower than in March and roughly 40% lower than in April 2025.
I'm still getting high value sales but definitely less than before.
Soon you will hear news that either they are reducing the contributor earnings or they are shutting down.
Their stock price is already at their lows.
It will be interesting to see what happens. Given that there seem to be many contributors whose earnings have plummeted, I would expect that there will be some changes made.
March 2026: 1,814 downloads — $1,698 (330$ was from unlimited)
April 2026: 1,013 downloads — $507 (until today 21st of April)
And Adobe Stock is performing very well this month—within just two weeks, I've already matched what I earned during the entire month of March. It almost feels like customers are shifting from one platform to another.
Deleted my whole portfolio this week. It did not make sense anymore with the low sales and low rpd. When they go broke my portfolio does not seem safe over there. And if the merger with Getty's goes through then I have sort of the same content over there so no harm done. Just Adobe and Istock now. Simplify your life :)
Quote from: Micha91 on April 21, 2026, 07:36
My year-over-year results for April:
2015 – $1476.75
2016 – $3632.88
2017 – $4279.75
2018 – $3464.22
2019 – $4082.64
2020 – $3656.61
2021 – $3112.74
2022 – $2557.24
2023 – $2266.04
2024 – $1919.26
2025 – $941.15
2026 – $260.12
Still excluded from unlimited. Regular uploads don't help, new content sells occasionally, but the higher sales gone. Currently, Shutterstock is a waste of time for me.
How many images do you have?
April looks bleak indeed, very bleak. March was saved for me with a few bigger sales, but none of those so far in April, and also very low volumes otherwise.
I suppose many customers migrated to unlimited. My March commissions for unlimited subscription were the highest so far, so if that trend continues, a bigger chunk of the April earnings will sit in the unlimited commission.
Needlessly to say, it means a further erosion of our earnings.
Quote from: Roscoe on April 27, 2026, 09:58
April looks bleak indeed, very bleak. March was saved for me with a few bigger sales, but none of those so far in April, and also very low volumes otherwise.
I suppose many customers migrated to unlimited. My March commissions for unlimited subscription were the highest so far, so if that trend continues, a bigger chunk of the April earnings will sit in the unlimited commission.
Needlessly to say, it means a further erosion of our earnings.
Just opt out of the unlimited program (as I did, the program is not transparent about sales and earnings), like we did with the Dollar Photo Club in 2014, which Fotolia was forced to withdraw due to protests.
We once united to prevent exploitation; today, it's okay to pick up even the crumbs with unlimited programs, Freepik, and more.
We deserve all this.
Quote from: Bauman on April 27, 2026, 17:07
Quote from: Roscoe on April 27, 2026, 09:58
April looks bleak indeed, very bleak. March was saved for me with a few bigger sales, but none of those so far in April, and also very low volumes otherwise.
I suppose many customers migrated to unlimited. My March commissions for unlimited subscription were the highest so far, so if that trend continues, a bigger chunk of the April earnings will sit in the unlimited commission.
Needlessly to say, it means a further erosion of our earnings.
Just opt out of the unlimited program (as I did, the program is not transparent about sales and earnings), like we did with the Dollar Photo Club in 2014, which Fotolia was forced to withdraw due to protests.
We once united to prevent exploitation; today, it's okay to pick up even the crumbs with unlimited programs, Freepik, and more.
We deserve all this.
Also contributors producing and uploading content just for AI purposes earning a fraction of what the work and content is worth.
Quote from: Bauman on April 27, 2026, 17:07
Quote from: Roscoe on April 27, 2026, 09:58
April looks bleak indeed, very bleak. March was saved for me with a few bigger sales, but none of those so far in April, and also very low volumes otherwise.
I suppose many customers migrated to unlimited. My March commissions for unlimited subscription were the highest so far, so if that trend continues, a bigger chunk of the April earnings will sit in the unlimited commission.
Needlessly to say, it means a further erosion of our earnings.
Just opt out of the unlimited program (as I did, the program is not transparent about sales and earnings), like we did with the Dollar Photo Club in 2014, which Fotolia was forced to withdraw due to protests.
We once united to prevent exploitation; today, it's okay to pick up even the crumbs with unlimited programs, Freepik, and more.
We deserve all this.
I wasn't around on Fotalia back then, but I guess those were also different times. Way less contributors, a much more united and tighter connected community, easier to set up mass protest that actually has impact.
I do remember and joined the protest against the Shutterstock earnings slashing and tiered system with resets early 2020's. A lot of people disabled their portfolio back then, and it barely made an impact. Best case, we were able to slow down the growth of the library for a few weeks, but in general: minimal impact and things stayed as they were, the ones who disabled lost some weeks, months of income.
Also, the industry wasn't what it is today. Things evolved, and not for the better, at least not from a contributor perspective. Photography changed too, and competition between contributors increased in a way our content doesn't really matter. My picture not available? No problem, there's another one that does the job jus as well for the customer. Companies were much more sensitive for negative press as they are now. Nowadays, they don't care, and they can afford to not care as nobody seems to care anymore.
Boycott initiatives are a respectful thing to do, but in the end, if we're serious about it, it would mean boycotting the whole microstock industry, except for some very few agencies, maybe. It won't change the industry, but it will impact your earnings. The unlimited program isn't a fair deal, but the 10 cents are insulting as well. The problem with companies as Shutterstock is that they also show a different face, every now and then, and bigger commissions are still around. Dangling carrot.
To me it feels as a choice: either I accept the industry standards, except for a few which I avoid, and stop caring (which I can, because I don't really depend on it, although the extra money is a very nice), or I stop uploading to Microstock altogether to keep my dignity (which I can do too, except for the fact that I don't have the nice additional bonus income).
As long as I'm around on microstock, I look at my combined earnings across agencies. And those are still... well rising every year. On first sight it doens't look that bleak. Until you start looking at inflation and the work you put into keywording and uploading to keep the carrousel running.
Pond5 back to zero sales in the month with April being 0. This reduced my overall earnings.
The default "Unlimited Video/images Only" filter seems to be off on my side lately. I now have the "all images/videos" filter by default.
Are you having the same experience?
Well, April looked really bad on Shutterstock, until the unlimited earnings were reported.
Turns out I made quite a decent month there.
Regularly reported sales (subscriptions, on demand, ...) accounted for only 11% of my earnings, the rest was unlimited.
I wonder how much more I would have made without the unlimited plan being offered to customers.
For me it was 25% earnings from unlimited in April 2026.
Quote from: Pacesetter on May 01, 2026, 05:53
Pond5 back to zero sales in the month with April being 0. This reduced my overall earnings.
I have one sale for the year. The only reason I am hanging on to P5 is to see if the IS/SS merger does anything to it that might benefit me. I have around 6K assets there so I don't want to just close the account without giving it every option.
For me, 0 Sale in April 2026 with over 5000 images+vidoes combined. I do not see toggle for unlmited plan, I think it is invite only.
Quote from: 5stock5 on May 03, 2026, 11:59
For me, 0 Sale in April 2026 with over 5000 images+vidoes combined. I do not see toggle for unlmited plan, I think it is invite only.
I thought I was doing stinky: April 2026 19DL $2.65 with 6,500+ images.
Nope I'm not on the unlimited plan.
And I know I've written before, before the upgrade and the dimes, I used to make that in a day, often, well over that. Now it takes a month? :(
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 03, 2026, 16:42
Quote from: 5stock5 on May 03, 2026, 11:59
For me, 0 Sale in April 2026 with over 5000 images+vidoes combined. I do not see toggle for unlmited plan, I think it is invite only.
I thought I was doing stinky: April 2026 19DL $2.65 with 6,500+ images.
Nope I'm not on the unlimited plan.
And I know I've written before, before the upgrade and the dimes, I used to make that in a day, often, well over that. Now it takes a month? :(
🎵 🎵 🎵 🎵
Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door
I don't care what they're going to say
Let the storm rage on
The cold never bothered me anyway
🎵 🎵 🎵 🎵
10 sales on pond5 so far this year.
I'll continue to upload there. Looking forward to the dataset payout at the end of the year but I'll manage my expectations so as not to be disappointed.
Quote from: danielvisuals on May 04, 2026, 00:31
10 sales on pond5 so far this year.
I'll continue to upload there. Looking forward to the dataset payout at the end of the year but I'll manage my expectations so as not to be disappointed.
Yep I've had 10 sales on Pond5 this year as well.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 03, 2026, 16:42
Quote from: 5stock5 on May 03, 2026, 11:59
For me, 0 Sale in April 2026 with over 5000 images+vidoes combined. I do not see toggle for unlmited plan, I think it is invite only.
I thought I was doing stinky: April 2026 19DL $2.65 with 6,500+ images.
Nope I'm not on the unlimited plan.
And I know I've written before, before the upgrade and the dimes, I used to make that in a day, often, well over that. Now it takes a month? :(
$2.65 for the whole month? I thought you were a seasoned contributor? What did you use to make in a month?
I understand you don't have video and that's probably contributing to the very low earnings.
Quote from: danielvisuals on May 04, 2026, 00:31
10 sales on pond5 so far this year.
I'll continue to upload there. Looking forward to the dataset payout at the end of the year but I'll manage my expectations so as not to be disappointed.
Mr. Optimist.
Quote from: Pacesetter on May 04, 2026, 02:27
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 03, 2026, 16:42
Quote from: 5stock5 on May 03, 2026, 11:59
For me, 0 Sale in April 2026 with over 5000 images+vidoes combined. I do not see toggle for unlmited plan, I think it is invite only.
I thought I was doing stinky: April 2026 19DL $2.65 with 6,500+ images.
Nope I'm not on the unlimited plan.
And I know I've written before, before the upgrade and the dimes, I used to make that in a day, often, well over that. Now it takes a month? :(
$2.65 for the whole month? I thought you were a seasoned contributor? What did you use to make in a month?
I understand you don't have video and that's probably contributing to the very low earnings.
Sure "Seasoned" and that season is
Winter! ;D Correct I don't have video, or I should say, I went exclusive on P5, so I'm waiting to upload everything, everywhere else, after the merger (if there is one) when I drop P5 completely. Things that used to sell on SSTK have gone dormant. Adobe, is the other side, still growing and improving. But this is about SSTK and the bottom line is, when they went to dimes, my downloads dropped to almost nothing and what I get now are dimes. Actually RPD is 14¢ which is pathetic.
Quote from: SimonSays on May 03, 2026, 20:02
🎵 🎵 🎵 🎵
Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door
I don't care what they're going to say
Let the storm rage on
The cold never bothered me anyway
🎵 🎵 🎵 🎵
I did upload one image a couple months ago. I'm working on residuals now, until I find out if the merger means Getty will be cutting my head off and deleting over 5,000 images. But you're right and I've said the same myself when some people keep thinking Microstock is going to some how come back. Dead is Dead. (https://i.postimg.cc/m2g4X7Zn/pigfly.gif) (https://i.postimg.cc/CLxs22Vg/beatdeadhorse.gif)
My view is, Adobe, Alamy and iStock are going to be all that's left.
how many of you are still contributing? i've stopped uploading to SS, you guys can have all the dimes.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 04, 2026, 18:26
Sure "Seasoned" and that season is Winter! ;D
Well, this one made me chuckle, nice!
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 04, 2026, 18:26
My view is, Adobe, Alamy and iStock are going to be all that's left.
It really depends on how you look at it, I guess. The industry is ever changing, and the days of single sales and reporting are fading out. Unlimited starts to find it's way to bigger agencies too, just as subscriptions and bottom of the barrel prices did.
How I look at it is: how much brings microstock, all agencies combined, in over a period of one year. So yeah, I do unlimited. Shutterstock, because it brings in a fair amount of money. I also have a smaller Motion Array portfolio, until they made their submission process even worse, which also contributes a fair share. Sites like Freepik and Vecteezy are a different story, they are not worth the hassle.
All in all, it's a twisted dilemma. I don't like unlimited plans. At all. But I don't consider them to be worse than the .10$ commissions at Shutterstock, or the 0.02$ sales at iStock/Getty. I do respect people taking a stance, standing their ground, but in the end, it doesn't change anything, as in this highly saturated market, none of our individual content really matters. But it does make a difference, on individual earnings.
Embrace the barb wires, accept it for what it is, and have a good laugh at it. I try that approach. And, well, meanwhile, also look at the positives. I just came back from holiday, paid with microstock earnings. I also booked another one, and finally bought a decent graphics card to speed up my editing workflow. I mean, it's a frustrating industry, but I can not neglect it still earns me a nice bonus that allows me to do or buy things I like.
Of course, not making a living of it, and for those who are making a living of it: they have a different story and view, and they have my permission to rant excessively on how the industry treats them.
I think Shutterstock is completely dead for those without an unlimited download subscription. Unfortunately, that leaves me with only Adobe. I have little hope that will change now.
Honestly, it's probably not just one reason. Shutterstock keeps changing algorithms and pushing "unlimited" content, so some portfolios just lose visibility over time. Even strong images with lots of downloads can get buried. And with lower payouts now, it feels even worse. You're definitely not alone - many people are seeing this. Have you noticed if your drop started after any specific change like opting out of something?
Quote from: sinandogan on May 06, 2026, 09:42
I think Shutterstock is completely dead for those without an unlimited download subscription. Unfortunately, that leaves me with only Adobe. I have little hope that will change now.
I opted out of the unlimited download plan, but Shutterstock isn't dead for me. In April, I had more downloads on Shutterstock than on Adobe. And in May, I'm earning more on Shutterstock than on Adobe in these 6 days.
Sure, it doesn't perform as well as it did two years ago, but it's not dead for me.
It's very surprising that different contributors seem to have very different experiences with SS. Maybe it's related to where the contributor is located geographically, or maybe it is related to the type of content.
Saying Shutterstock "isn't dead to me" doesn't mean anything for other people, we have to talk numbers, clearly.
May 2025 until 6th - 367 downloads, 225.60 USD
May 2026 until 6th - 205 downloads, 132.23 USD
Quote from: Bauman on May 06, 2026, 13:18In April, I had more downloads on Shutterstock than on Adobe.
This doesn't say anything as well, on AS I had 1.7$ RPD while on SS was 0.5$ RPD for April. Even tho I had 40% less downloads on AS last month I earned more than SS.
I am surprised that the experience is so different for different people, because for me the change is so DRASTIC that it is hard to imagine what could cause such a great difference in performance for different people. I do microstock full time - or used to, really have to search for something else now. There has not been a single month where I did not earn 4 figures in years, I used to sell hundreds of photos on SS each month.
A week into the month and my current earnings on SS this month are 3.38$.
That's not just "a bit different" or " a slight decrease", that's a drastic free fall and it is hard to imagine that other people aren't expereince such a drastic change. What is happening? What is different about my portfolio that I am affected like this and others are not? I really do not understand it. I haven't changed anthing on my end, so clearly, if it is not an overall decline due to Ai that everyone is affected by, something must have changed on SS's end that is causing such a decline for specific portfolios. What have I done to piss SS off?
Quote from: Her Ugliness on May 06, 2026, 15:21
I am surprised that the experience is so different for different people, because for me the change is so DRASTIC that it is hard to imagine what could cause such a great difference in performance for different people. I do microstock full time - or used to, really have to search for something else now. There has not been a single month where I did not earn 4 figures in years, I used to sell hundreds of photos on SS each month.
A week into the month and my current earnings on SS this month are 3.38$.
That's not just "a bit different" or " a slight decrease", that's a drastic free fall and it is hard to imagine that other people aren't expereince such a drastic change. What is happening? What is different about my portfolio that I am affected like this and others are not? I really do not understand it. I haven't changed anthing on my end, so clearly, if it is not an overall decline due to Ai that everyone is affected by, something must have changed on SS's end that is causing such a decline for specific portfolios. What have I done to piss SS off?
this is exactly my experience too. i don't have an "unlimited" option on my account and perhaps you don't either or opted out. i have no idea if "unlimited" people are earning more than $3 but i'm abandoning any agency that pays less than $100 per month with my portfolio size. i gave up on a bunch of agencies a while ago but SS was showing growth and promise a year ago. now it's dead and i'm done with them.
it is interesting to see different experiences for different contributors but if even DaLiu is reporting a downturn it's clear the end is near.
Quote from: Her Ugliness on May 06, 2026, 15:21
I am surprised that the experience is so different for different people, because for me the change is so DRASTIC that it is hard to imagine what could cause such a great difference in performance for different people. I do microstock full time - or used to, really have to search for something else now. There has not been a single month where I did not earn 4 figures in years, I used to sell hundreds of photos on SS each month.
A week into the month and my current earnings on SS this month are 3.38$.
That's not just "a bit different" or " a slight decrease", that's a drastic free fall and it is hard to imagine that other people aren't expereince such a drastic change. What is happening? What is different about my portfolio that I am affected like this and others are not? I really do not understand it. I haven't changed anthing on my end, so clearly, if it is not an overall decline due to Ai that everyone is affected by, something must have changed on SS's end that is causing such a decline for specific portfolios. What have I done to piss SS off?
ha, i literally have the exact same amount
Quote from: DaLiu on May 06, 2026, 14:40
Saying Shutterstock "isn't dead to me" doesn't mean anything for other people, we have to talk numbers, clearly.
May 2025 until 6th - 130 downloads, 69 USD
May 2026 until 6th - 118 downloads, 110 USD
Fewer downloads, but the day must end. Higher earnings thanks to two sales over $20.
On Adobe 120 downloads - 105 USD
I don't know if it's because I don't have files on the unlimited download plan, but my RPD between SS and AS is very similar for many months (except for the first few months of the year, when I have a lower level on SS. Level 5 now).
I don't have videos or AI. Only photos.
Quote from: wds on May 06, 2026, 14:03
It's very surprising that different contributors seem to have very different experiences with SS. Maybe it's related to where the contributor is located geographically, or maybe it is related to the type of content.
They didn't offer me unlimited, which seems to be an important difference. 90% of my portfolio on SSTK is Editorial. Which makes me different from most others. That also makes it difficult to compare AS because other than a minor bit of illustrative editorial, my Adobe is 50/50 illustrations/photos. But comparing my SSTK to what it was, it's dead there.
I know people see the Connect sales on IS and think, what a 2 cent download. They aren't the same as downloads. IS pays 15% for photos and 20% for illustrations. RPD for me is $0.61 lifetime. Same as the rest, No Video right now.
When I say Microstock is dead, I mean Microstock, not anything else. There are other opportunities and outlets for earning from images. Some of those are just fine.
Microstock is Dead!
Quote from: Bauman on May 06, 2026, 16:50
Quote from: DaLiu on May 06, 2026, 14:40
Saying Shutterstock "isn't dead to me" doesn't mean anything for other people, we have to talk numbers, clearly.
May 2025 until 6th - 130 downloads, 69 USD
May 2026 until 6th - 118 downloads, 110 USD
Fewer downloads, but the day must end. Higher earnings thanks to two sales over $20.
On Adobe 120 downloads - 105 USD
I don't know if it's because I don't have files on the unlimited download plan, but my RPD between SS and AS is very similar for many months (except for the first few months of the year, when I have a lower level on SS. Level 5 now).
I don't have videos or AI. Only photos.
Yes, you're going to see these fluctuations month to month but the overall trend downwards.
Like I said before, the unlimited plan is hurting video sales more than photo sales.
Quote from: DaLiu on May 06, 2026, 14:40
Quote from: Bauman on May 06, 2026, 13:18In April, I had more downloads on Shutterstock than on Adobe.
This doesn't say anything as well, on AS I had 1.7$ RPD while on SS was 0.5$ RPD for April. Even tho I had 40% less downloads on AS last month I earned more than SS.
right DL (& therefore RPD) are meaningless - only thing that counts is $ earned --100 x 10c sales are better than 1 $8 sale
Quote from: danielvisuals on May 07, 2026, 00:09
Like I said before, the unlimited plan is hurting video sales more than photo sales.
I do not sell videos at all and my photo sales have gone from several hudred a month to basically nothing, so I don't think I can agree.
I took a good look at where my photos are placed in the search in comparison where they used to be and I think I figured it out. It is indeed the unlimited download plan.
It's not just that the contributors that were offered to be part of the plan get an extra income through the plan. The images that customers with this plan can download at no additional cost get downloaded much more often, raise in ranks and push the other images out, so our images are much further down in the serach and cannot be found easily. So even customers without the unlimited plan do not buy our images, because they don't find them.
Seems very unfair practice. Even if the rest of us gets offered to be part of the unlimited plan at some point (which I never wanted to be part of, but it seems like it is eat or die), by that time our search ranks will be completely destroyed.
Well, first of all, they are losing customers and their revenue from content decreased by 12% compared to the first quarter of 2025:
QuoteRevenue from our Content product offering decreased by $24.8 million, or 12%, as compared to the first quarter of 2025, to $178.1 million. The reduction in our Content revenue was driven primarily by weakness in new customer acquisition. Content revenue represented 89% of our total revenue in the first quarter of 2026.
Shutterstock is a struggling company. They are losing subscribers and paid downloads are shrinking.
Subscribers: 993K (was 1.079K in march 2025)
Subscriber revenue: 103.8M (was 109.9M)
Paid downloads: 104.1M (was 120.9M)
Metrics include Envato counts and revenue, so difficult to say how it applies to the Shutterstock platform.
On top of that their revenue generated from data, distribution and services (I guess this is A.I. training and deals) took a 47% hit.
So: customers and paid downloads are shrinking, while we as contributors keep feeding the beast. In other words: more content for less customers.
Very normal we all see a decline in our earnings.
Not normal the decline is so steep for some of us.
On top of that: operational costs are not shrinking at the same pace as the turnover is shrinking.
We can expect more exciting news, I guess.
Quote from: Her Ugliness on May 07, 2026, 07:32
I took a good look at where my photos are placed in the search in comparison where they used to be and I think I figured it out. It is indeed the unlimited download plan.
It's not just that the contributors that were offered to be part of the plan get an extra income through the plan. The images that customers with this plan can download at no additional cost get downloaded much more often, raise in ranks and push the other images out, so our images are much further down in the serach and cannot be found easily. So even customers without the unlimited plan do not buy our images, because they don't find them.
Seems very unfair practice. Even if the rest of us gets offered to be part of the unlimited plan at some point (which I never wanted to be part of, but it seems like it is eat or die), by that time our search ranks will be completely destroyed.
Makes sense.
If I understood it correctly, unlimited is not available for every client, but high volume clients can request it.
On the other hand, not every contributor is included in the unlimited plan. That selection process is very unclear.
This means, a high volume of sales on a small portion of the content.
How this affects ranking: I don't know. Do they count unlimited and subscription differently in their search ranking algorithm? If not, well, then you are right, and contributors who are included in the unlimited plan have an unfair advantage, as their content gets more exposure and downloads.
Will they ever fix that unfair advantage? We don't know either.
Anyhow, that unlimited thing saved my past month. I went from having a dramatic month to pretty decent one on the last day when unlimited bonus came in.
Or like another member suggested previously : the next logical step is for all the content to be included in the unlimited plan.
I already stopped uploading new content there. To be fair I'm not even sure I'd want to have my port accessible through the unlimited plan since it's pretty niche. Part of my last uploads have been stuck in pending for "data marketplace" despite being opted out. For reference I'd only get a rejection once in a blue moon so it looks like they want to forcibly deviate part of my content to data licensing. I'll keep a close eye on the situation until the end of this year and if nothing changes I'll have to consider removing everything. At this point it would only be a liability staying there.
How does a contributor determine if they are participating in the unlimited download plan?
Quote from: wds on May 07, 2026, 15:01
How does a contributor determine if they are participating in the unlimited download plan?
You have the option to opt in or out in your account setting, under the Licensing options - unless Shutterstock is not offering this plan to you, then you have no such option. And I think contributers who are allowed to take part in it also got a mail?
Quote from: Her Ugliness on May 07, 2026, 15:56
Quote from: wds on May 07, 2026, 15:01
How does a contributor determine if they are participating in the unlimited download plan?
You have the option to opt in or out in your account setting, under the Licensing options - unless Shutterstock is not offering this plan to you, then you have no such option. And I think contributers who are allowed to take part in it also got a mail?
Thanks. I checked, I am registered into all "options" and have seen drastic decline, so that may dispute the proposed reason above for a significant drop in downloads.
Just a wild unscientific guess and observation here, but isn't it only logical that SS falls as the AS rises?
Quote from: qunamax on May 08, 2026, 14:22
Just a wild unscientific guess and observation here, but isn't it only logical that SS falls as the AS rises?
True but it's not that easy. IS has also fallen, DT has also fallen and every Microstock site that reports earnings, has fallen. Agencies have shut down, because their earnings can't support the business. AI has taken away more, there's much more behind this, than something as simple as a shift, from SS to AS, where buyers look and purchase.
Quote from: qunamax on May 08, 2026, 14:22
Just a wild unscientific guess and observation here, but isn't it only logical that SS falls as the AS rises?
Would be logical if everyone was affected in a somewhat similar way and if the fall was similar on other agencies. But
only Shutterstock and only (seemingly) for the contributors who are not part of the unlimited plan seems a bit too much of a coincidence.
Sure, my income is declining on all agencies because of AI and I am sure it will continue to decline till it is close to zero, but it is a slow and gradual decline. I have no other agency where I went from several hundred of $ in earnings per month to like $5 in such a short time.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 08, 2026, 18:37
Quote from: qunamax on May 08, 2026, 14:22
Just a wild unscientific guess and observation here, but isn't it only logical that SS falls as the AS rises?
True but it's not that easy. IS has also fallen, DT has also fallen and every Microstock site that reports earnings, has fallen. Agencies have shut down, because their earnings can't support the business. AI has taken away more, there's much more behind this, than something as simple as a shift, from SS to AS, where buyers look and purchase.
Of course there is a huge global decline across all agencies: saturation with both assets and contributors fueled by social media and information, excellent cheap gear, Youtube tutorials, even smartphone camera capabilities, AI both as image generator and tutor/information source etc... It's all spread way too thin, but in all that chaos I'd expect at least one agency to stay afloat and to me it's only logical that it is the agency that has the biggest design software package in the world with integrated both stock library and AI capabilities. Survival of the fittest, to say. Under the hood SS probably pulled some desperate unfair moves, but I feel like they are going under anyway, so in the end it won't matter much for long.
But all that aside, looking only at SS and AS, as I wrote, my simple observation is that right about time the SS started to fall, AS started to rise, as seen on these forums too, praise for AS and frown on SS, dating some years back. My point being, I don't expect SS to rise back again to it's past glory for anyone.
Quote from: qunamax on May 09, 2026, 14:21
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 08, 2026, 18:37
Quote from: qunamax on May 08, 2026, 14:22
Just a wild unscientific guess and observation here, but isn't it only logical that SS falls as the AS rises?
True but it's not that easy. IS has also fallen, DT has also fallen and every Microstock site that reports earnings, has fallen. Agencies have shut down, because their earnings can't support the business. AI has taken away more, there's much more behind this, than something as simple as a shift, from SS to AS, where buyers look and purchase.
Of course there is a huge global decline across all agencies: saturation with both assets and contributors fueled by social media and information, excellent cheap gear, Youtube tutorials, even smartphone camera capabilities, AI both as image generator and tutor/information source etc... It's all spread way too thin, but in all that chaos I'd expect at least one agency to stay afloat and to me it's only logical that it is the agency that has the biggest design software package in the world with integrated both stock library and AI capabilities. Survival of the fittest, to say. Under the hood SS probably pulled some desperate unfair moves, but I feel like they are going under anyway, so in the end it won't matter much for long.
But all that aside, looking only at SS and AS, as I wrote, my simple observation is that right about time the SS started to fall, AS started to rise, as seen on these forums too, praise for AS and frown on SS, dating some years back. My point being, I don't expect SS to rise back again to it's past glory for anyone.
Yes, that's partially true. AS is rising and SSTK is falling, I don't see that the ratio or relationship is that AS is getting the SSTK customers, as much as, AS is doing a good job of holding their share and building.
If there is a merger, I predict we will see IS regaining some of their share of the Microstock market. I remember when IS was the big dog and all the rest were new, or trying to take a share of their position. SSTK did that. They grabbed most of the IS business. Odd how that has turned? Fotolia wasn't a big player, now under Adobe, the same agency has become something reborn.
When P5, DT, DP. and all the rest have lost their ability to make enough to stay open, or Getty closes what the just bought/merged, we'll have Adobe and iStock. I don't think any of the others will be able to continue. But according to what you are pointing out, if SSTK has lost so much, because of their own faults, wouldn't the others, not just Adobe, have also picked up business? They haven't and they also continue to fall. No one is bragging about how DT or DP are growing in earnings.
Microstock, not all stock, or any other. It's over and there will only be two.
Maybe at some point they'll figure out that they can make more money by charging more for their product?
Higher prices are a result of either increased demand or reduced supply or even better both at the same time.
Thus, I'd say higher prices are unlikely in the foreseeable future.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 09, 2026, 20:42
Quote from: qunamax on May 09, 2026, 14:21
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 08, 2026, 18:37
Quote from: qunamax on May 08, 2026, 14:22
Just a wild unscientific guess and observation here, but isn't it only logical that SS falls as the AS rises?
True but it's not that easy. IS has also fallen, DT has also fallen and every Microstock site that reports earnings, has fallen. Agencies have shut down, because their earnings can't support the business. AI has taken away more, there's much more behind this, than something as simple as a shift, from SS to AS, where buyers look and purchase.
Of course there is a huge global decline across all agencies: saturation with both assets and contributors fueled by social media and information, excellent cheap gear, Youtube tutorials, even smartphone camera capabilities, AI both as image generator and tutor/information source etc... It's all spread way too thin, but in all that chaos I'd expect at least one agency to stay afloat and to me it's only logical that it is the agency that has the biggest design software package in the world with integrated both stock library and AI capabilities. Survival of the fittest, to say. Under the hood SS probably pulled some desperate unfair moves, but I feel like they are going under anyway, so in the end it won't matter much for long.
But all that aside, looking only at SS and AS, as I wrote, my simple observation is that right about time the SS started to fall, AS started to rise, as seen on these forums too, praise for AS and frown on SS, dating some years back. My point being, I don't expect SS to rise back again to it's past glory for anyone.
Yes, that's partially true. AS is rising and SSTK is falling, I don't see that the ratio or relationship is that AS is getting the SSTK customers, as much as, AS is doing a good job of holding their share and building.
If there is a merger, I predict we will see IS regaining some of their share of the Microstock market. I remember when IS was the big dog and all the rest were new, or trying to take a share of their position. SSTK did that. They grabbed most of the IS business. Odd how that has turned? Fotolia wasn't a big player, now under Adobe, the same agency has become something reborn.
When P5, DT, DP. and all the rest have lost their ability to make enough to stay open, or Getty closes what the just bought/merged, we'll have Adobe and iStock. I don't think any of the others will be able to continue. But according to what you are pointing out, if SSTK has lost so much, because of their own faults, wouldn't the others, not just Adobe, have also picked up business? They haven't and they also continue to fall. No one is bragging about how DT or DP are growing in earnings.
Microstock, not all stock, or any other. It's over and there will only be two.
Well I feel like SS directly lost to AS, that's why nobody else gained and I think that CreativeCloud and Adobe apps subscription models made it available and got to more customers globally, inlcuding the integrated stock part (which is included in their app plans). That's why I think smaller agencies never gained anything and continued to fall under, they are just like SS, only smaller, no innovation (app integration) like AS. And globally, there was a shift from in-house to outsourcing to marketing agencies doing the work, and I can only imagine they (or their subcontractors) mostly use Adobe products for content creation, so Adobe Stock is right there in the software. Canva did the similar thing and went huge, at least for customers.
As for the IS, I'd say their main source has always been Getty, macro/middle stock, and just like others (Alamy) that went out of fashion fast, the line of quality and exclussivity of assets blurred between macro and microstock and a huge amount of buyers aren't willing to pay extra for basically the same thing.
I agree, if the merger happens, IS and AS are going to be the only ones left, for a while. But in the end, I see Adobe, Canva, Artlist and similar, making sense because they have content creation systems, and today everyone seem to be a content creator.
If customers aren't willing to pay anymore, it makes me wonder if they're also not willing to pay anymore for an extended license. If you can still get a decent sale with an extended license for one photo or video, it makes up for all the rest with tiny commissions.
For video, I haven't sold any files with an extended license for a long time, hope someone can prove me wrong.
Quote from: stocker2011 on May 11, 2026, 00:41
If customers aren't willing to pay anymore, it makes me wonder if they're also not willing to pay anymore for an extended license. If you can still get a decent sale with an extended license for one photo or video, it makes up for all the rest with tiny commissions.
For video, I haven't sold any files with an extended license for a long time, hope someone can prove me wrong.
Video extended license since December 2024:
- December 2024 x 1 Extended License for $28.98
- January 2025 x 1 Extended License for $18.57
- September 2025 x 1 Extended License for $18.44
- December 2025 x 1 Extended License for $18.44
Hardly inspiring. I've had higher Clip Pack sales. For example in May 2025 had one Clip Pack sale paying $147.67.
Quote from: qunamax on May 10, 2026, 20:05
As for the IS, I'd say their main source has always been Getty, macro/middle stock, and just like others (Alamy) that went out of fashion fast, the line of quality and exclussivity of assets blurred between macro and microstock and a huge amount of buyers aren't willing to pay extra for basically the same thing.
I agree, if the merger happens, IS and AS are going to be the only ones left, for a while. But in the end, I see Adobe, Canva, Artlist and similar, making sense because they have content creation systems, and today everyone seem to be a content creator.
Yes, I'd agree. Once again, I was only comparing Microstock. There should be other places for us to monetize images.
Quote from: qunamax on May 10, 2026, 20:05
Well I feel like SS directly lost to AS, that's why nobody else gained...
Many people were making $100 to $400 a month on SSTK before the changes. $150 on Fotolia. If there was a direct gain, including Adobe gave us a raise, why aren't people making 3 times more on Adobe now? I don't see a direct relationship between SSTK going down and Adobe going up. I do agree that Adobe pays more fairly and they have increased their sales, but not so much from SSTK customers that switched.
Microstock has died as a business model and been replaced in many ways. I actually think that Adobe gains because of the CC clients who aren't just stock but also designers and others.
(https://i.postimg.cc/6qpZyJkL/adobe-rank-2018.jpg)
2018
Shutterstock Contributor Revenue
(https://i.postimg.cc/P5GsHXnw/ss-images-vs-revenue-2019-pos.jpg)
:(
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kv09qjbh/there-can-be-only-one.jpg)
The final two Immortals standing in the climactic battle for The Microstock Prize. iStock vs Shutterstock.
I think Alamy is different enough, concentrating on the UK and News Editorial in many ways, to be another business. Adobe with the CC subscriptions is also a different business model, even though they do have a good bit of Microstock, but no pure editorial.
Yay I earned a dollar, well done SS, Keep on keeping on.
I do think not being included in the Unlimited plan has an effect, but has anyone looked at the search results lately? They are pretty dire.
Yesterday, I took some random words and checked out the 'popular' images for the last 12 months, and the first 10-20 images are largely decent, (and a mix of unlimited/not unlimited), but beyond that it falls apart very quickly. There are loads of very similar images, even though Shutterstock put a policy in place to avoid this, and quite a few with exposure issues or ugly colour casts. These are being promoted ahead of much better content, that is way pushed back.
It really looks as if they are either not bothering to check what the AI is approving and promoting, or don't care.
Certainly, most of the content that I had very high in searches, has totally disappeared, (along with my sales). I don't mind healthy competition, but this is crazy.
Quote from: kuriouskat on May 16, 2026, 08:21
I do think not being included in the Unlimited plan has an effect, but has anyone looked at the search results lately? They are pretty dire.
Yesterday, I took some random words and checked out the 'popular' images for the last 12 months, and the first 10-20 images are largely decent, (and a mix of unlimited/not unlimited), but beyond that it falls apart very quickly. There are loads of very similar images, even though Shutterstock put a policy in place to avoid this, and quite a few with exposure issues or ugly colour casts. These are being promoted ahead of much better content, that is way pushed back.
It really looks as if they are either not bothering to check what the AI is approving and promoting, or don't care.
Certainly, most of the content that I had very high in searches, has totally disappeared, (along with my sales). I don't mind healthy competition, but this is crazy.
Have you been offered to join the unlimited program?
Quote from: danielvisuals on May 16, 2026, 11:51
Quote from: kuriouskat on May 16, 2026, 08:21
I do think not being included in the Unlimited plan has an effect, but has anyone looked at the search results lately? They are pretty dire.
Yesterday, I took some random words and checked out the 'popular' images for the last 12 months, and the first 10-20 images are largely decent, (and a mix of unlimited/not unlimited), but beyond that it falls apart very quickly. There are loads of very similar images, even though Shutterstock put a policy in place to avoid this, and quite a few with exposure issues or ugly colour casts. These are being promoted ahead of much better content, that is way pushed back.
It really looks as if they are either not bothering to check what the AI is approving and promoting, or don't care.
Certainly, most of the content that I had very high in searches, has totally disappeared, (along with my sales). I don't mind healthy competition, but this is crazy.
Have you been offered to join the unlimited program?
I wasn't invited by SSTK.
Quote from: kuriouskat on May 16, 2026, 08:21
I do think not being included in the Unlimited plan has an effect, but has anyone looked at the search results lately? They are pretty dire.
Yesterday, I took some random words and checked out the 'popular' images for the last 12 months, and the first 10-20 images are largely decent, (and a mix of unlimited/not unlimited), but beyond that it falls apart very quickly. There are loads of very similar images, even though Shutterstock put a policy in place to avoid this, and quite a few with exposure issues or ugly colour casts. These are being promoted ahead of much better content, that is way pushed back.
It really looks as if they are either not bothering to check what the AI is approving and promoting, or don't care.
Certainly, most of the content that I had very high in searches, has totally disappeared, (along with my sales). I don't mind healthy competition, but this is crazy.
I don't have any idea, except from people here, about the Unlimited. I do see that it's being forced on customers as a default.
I think I can agree about the search being stinky. (or an embarrassment?) We've never been able to see why the same images, some horrid images, and some junk images, manage to be page 1?
Some of these have been on page 1 for over ten years. https://www.shutterstock.com/search/sliced-tomato?image_type=photo (https://www.shutterstock.com/search/sliced-tomato?image_type=photo) Look at the 3rd row? Similar? Then take a look "Similar Images" their own content. https://www.shutterstock.com/search/similar/1483126889 (https://www.shutterstock.com/search/similar/1483126889)
The search is still broken and flawed, as always.
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 16, 2026, 18:13
Then take a look "Similar Images" their own content. https://www.shutterstock.com/search/similar/1483126889 (https://www.shutterstock.com/search/similar/1483126889)
Fantastic! :-(
Quote from: danielvisuals on May 16, 2026, 11:51
Quote from: kuriouskat on May 16, 2026, 08:21
I do think not being included in the Unlimited plan has an effect, but has anyone looked at the search results lately? They are pretty dire.
Yesterday, I took some random words and checked out the 'popular' images for the last 12 months, and the first 10-20 images are largely decent, (and a mix of unlimited/not unlimited), but beyond that it falls apart very quickly. There are loads of very similar images, even though Shutterstock put a policy in place to avoid this, and quite a few with exposure issues or ugly colour casts. These are being promoted ahead of much better content, that is way pushed back.
It really looks as if they are either not bothering to check what the AI is approving and promoting, or don't care.
Certainly, most of the content that I had very high in searches, has totally disappeared, (along with my sales). I don't mind healthy competition, but this is crazy.
Have you been offered to join the unlimited program?
I'm basing the conclusion that the unlimited plan leads to more earnings partly on the comments of others here, but mainly on the fact that if you aren't included, then your sales to these customers equal zero. Being involved gives you opportunity that would otherwise be missed.
However, I can't see the option to filter these in the search these days, nor is my search defaulting to just the unlimited images, which was clearly giving a huge advantage when this was first introduced.
Quote from: Wilm on May 16, 2026, 19:44
Quote from: Uncle Pete on May 16, 2026, 18:13
Then take a look "Similar Images" their own content. https://www.shutterstock.com/search/similar/1483126889 (https://www.shutterstock.com/search/similar/1483126889)
Fantastic! :-(
Disgusting >:(
Shutterstock is dead for me as well, I have 20K+ videos and $10 in sales this month, but randomly got a $400 sale today, so that reminds me of the old times and gets me to $410 then :-X
Quote from: PeteStock on May 18, 2026, 17:12
Shutterstock is dead for me as well, I have 20K+ videos and $10 in sales this month, but randomly got a $400 sale today, so that reminds me of the old times and gets me to $410 then :-X
congrats on the big sale. are you still sending them new files?
Has anyone managed to get in touch with a person in Shutterstock support? Some time ago, someone used to reply to me when I wrote directly to their mailbox. Now only a bot responds, and it's impossible to sort anything out. Have they fired everyone or what?
By the way, I have $106 this month, which is 4x less than the average of the last three months. We're going down! :o
Quote from: Micha91 on May 20, 2026, 08:51
Has anyone managed to get in touch with a person in Shutterstock support? Some time ago, someone used to reply to me when I wrote directly to their mailbox. Now only a bot responds, and it's impossible to sort anything out. Have they fired everyone or what?
By the way, I have $106 this month, which is 4x less than the average of the last three months. We're going down! :o
I actually tried when I figured out that all of my bestsellers lost their ranks to images by people who are part of the unlimited program. Just wanted to make them aware of it, as I don't feel like unlimited downloads should be counted the same for ranking.
But all I got was a reply from a bot. Lot's of "We are sorry you feel that way" and the claim I could just turn on unlimited downloads for my account (no, I can't, I have no such option in my account settings). Didn't really get me anywhere, as expected with AI bots. They never have any kind of info that you couldn't already find yourself somehere in the FAQ.
Quote from: Her Ugliness on May 20, 2026, 10:12
Quote from: Micha91 on May 20, 2026, 08:51
Has anyone managed to get in touch with a person in Shutterstock support? Some time ago, someone used to reply to me when I wrote directly to their mailbox. Now only a bot responds, and it's impossible to sort anything out. Have they fired everyone or what?
By the way, I have $106 this month, which is 4x less than the average of the last three months. We're going down! :o
I actually tried when I figured out that all of my bestsellers lost their ranks to images by people who are part of the unlimited program. Just wanted them to make aware of it, as I don't feel like unlimited downloads should be counted the same for ranking.
But all I got was a reply from a bot. Lot's of "We are sorry you feel that way" and the claim I could just tun on unlimited downloads for my account (no, I can't). Didn't really get me anywhere, as expected with AI bots. They never have any kind of info that you couldn't already find yourself somehere in the FAQ.
I am in the exact same situation, and I had many supersellers. My best bestseller sold over 26,000 times, but now it's somewhere rotting in the depths of Unlimited content. I still don't have access to Unlimited, and it seems to me it's only a matter of time before sales are generated solely by Unlimited accounts. I don't even want to contact them anymore to being added to this Unlimited program because every time they respond with the same sh*tty template email.
Now I have a new problem - they are rejecting animations I send after render ends, claiming they were uploaded to another author's account, and they're threatening to close my account, haha ;D. Talking to a bot is pointless.
as i said i stopped contributing but i'm pretty close to actually disabling my account. today's sales:
- 8 images
- $0.81
i'm at level 4. this is nothing new from ss but the complete lack of any larger sales with almost no exception has made this utterly a depressing site to even bother checking. i haven't made it to a payout yet this month meanwhile adobe has earned 2x the entire MONTH on ss just today and yesterday as well and the day before it was 4x the entire month on ss. all 8 of the images sold are not easy to get drone shots that not too many other people have. they have value and earn real money occasionally on other sites. i'm gonna wait a month or two but i don't think ss deserves to make money from my work.
Quote from: Micha91 on May 20, 2026, 08:51
Have they fired everyone or what?
Now that would be such a 'darn' shame.
edit. MSG forum doesn't like naughty words.
I left last month and deleted my whole portfolio. No regrets, just relieve.
In 2025, they made participant fund payments on May 27th. I'm eagerly waiting to see if payments will be made this year.
Quote from: SimonSays on May 20, 2026, 21:02
I left last month and deleted my whole portfolio. No regrets, just relieve.
That's a great idea! It's about time I closed most of my accounts, too. There's not much sense in allocating resources to this industry anymore.
:-\
Yesterday I made 10 cents, 5000 assets. So proud of my accomplishments.
Quote from: Mantis on May 21, 2026, 11:22
Yesterday I made 10 cents, 5000 assets. So proud of my accomplishments.
Just to put that into perspective: I made 32 cents with Meta monetization yesterday, with just 1 asset :).
Quote from: Mantis on May 21, 2026, 11:22
Yesterday I made 10 cents, 5000 assets. So proud of my accomplishments.
6537 and I don't bother looking on Saturday which is "No Sales Saturday" for me, for years now.
May 2026 is my first month this year on Shutterstock I have earned over $100. Overall for the year it is still a bit behind Storyblocks but if the trend continued to change I would be considering again to upload some clips to Shutterstock. Will see how it goes though.
Quote from: Pacesetter on May 27, 2026, 04:23
May 2026 is my first month this year on Shutterstock I have earned over $100. Overall for the year it is still a bit behind Storyblocks but if the trend continued to change I would be considering again to upload some clips to Shutterstock. Will see how it goes though.
I had 156$ last month at SS, now I have 12.6$, complete chaos.
Quote from: yuriy on May 19, 2026, 01:04
Quote from: PeteStock on May 18, 2026, 17:12
Shutterstock is dead for me as well, I have 20K+ videos and $10 in sales this month, but randomly got a $400 sale today, so that reminds me of the old times and gets me to $410 then :-X
congrats on the big sale. are you still sending them new files?
Well, I have them anyway, so why not I guess. But to be honest, I am lagging in uploads, cause of the 100 videos per week upload limit.
3,400 stock photos used to make a reasonable $300 per month on average
$9.43 as of May 30th stopped getting monthly payouts January 2026 :(
So yeah shittystock really screwed it.