Also, why so many other people suddenly experiencing an unusaly sudden drop in sales ? This thread for instance ? Again, this is abnormal and beyond our control.

Actually, not that many people complained on this thread. I remember the last time we got a serious issue on SS (probably in March, when the sales appeared on the map, but not in the reports), there certainly two to three times more reports on the forum.

In any case, you will see it much more people complaining here about the lack of sales than people telling they are satisfied by their sales level. It's a forum, so most of the people will actually share their problems, but it does not mean the problems are general.

As told before, not having sales in the beginning of May isn't that abnormal, due to the national holidays. In some European countries, there are up to 3 days off in two weeks (the 1st and 2nd of May, plus the 9th of May), resulting in the economy seriously slowing down. Therefore, I wasn't that preoccupied by the results.

From what you are saying, you are experiencing a bad month, it is upsetting, but it does not look abnormal for the moment. There may be new competitors on your niche, a seasonal issue, or a business issue.

That being said, as others were mentioning, there is still another issue, the fact that, on most of the cases, the RPI is decreasing. It is a slow trend, but all my stats, monthly, quarterly and yearly, are showing it...

And, I have to say, looking at the appalling quality of SOME of the new stuff being accepted I'd be pretty amazed if it DID sell.

"Actually, not that many people complained on this thread."
Yes and it is normal. Useless. Thank you for some people which have shared the info, that is. Looking at diagrams of my account i see changes like steps of stair-case. Good month is following with the bad one. There is no curves in monthly sales diagram, really steps. Before (incl 2016) changes were looking like curves, descending-ascending except the steps of overnight changes. That was reported here and it was in the same chronological order like others. Generally the volume of sales is fallen in may.

Quote from: increasingdifficulty on May 18, 2018, 02:22

Quote from: PZF on May 18, 2018, 02:12

And, I have to say, looking at the appalling quality of SOME of the new stuff being accepted I'd be pretty amazed if it DID sell.

It's easier to blame someone than to accept that your work is not up to par commercially.

Earlier you said quality isn't important but keywording is. I would be interested to see your work if you provide a link ?

I never said quality wasn't important. Of course it is. I said SEO is more important, because the world's greatest clip will never be found without the proper metadata.

But a good enough clip that is #1 in the search is much, much more likely to be bought than a better clip that comes in on page 17.

Naturally, the combination of really good SEO/ranking AND a top quality clip is what makes a bestseller.

And can we see a link to your portfolio ?

Why do you need that? There are enough copycats as there is.

Unlike others, I actively work to protect my business, not invite others to compete. I've already had assets blatantly stolen and put up for sale. I know you've had that too, and I do my best to avoid it.

More threads on ss about drop in buyers, algorithm changes affecting sales etc. Surley all these people, including excellent photograhers cant be wrong ?

I don't think anyone denies changing algorithms affects sales. The reason SS change algorithms is to maximise their income not to persecute certain contributors. Some people will benefit some will lose out.

Its funny that seasoned pros like Laurin have experienced decline for some time. Ss is in decline FACT. I have an image in a specific genre that comes out first image on the first page if I thpe the basic keywords but it has declined in sales.

Some "seasoned pros" have very outdated portfolios.

And are you suddenly talking about an overall decline over the years? I thought we were talking about agencies manipulating your sales month to month... Or on the 15th every month...

So, what are we talking about?

I usually find "Facts" emphasised in capitals to be anything but. The facts I rely on are the quarterly audited reports that SS publish these seem to show SS are pretty static. The success or otherwise of SS does not directly relate to the income of individual contributors.

Conspiracy theorists are usually not that big on facts and numbers, aside from using BIG letters as "proof".

2012

paid downloads - 76 million
revenue per download $2.23

2013

paid downloads - 100.1 million
revenue per download $2.35

2014

paid downloads - 125.9 million
revenue per download - $2.58

2015

paid downloads - 147.2 million
revenue per download - $2.83

2016

paid downloads - 167.9 million
revenue per download - $2.88

2017

paid downloads - 172 million
revenue per download - $3.13

2018

First quarter 2018 paid downloads - 43.7
First quarter 2018 revenue per download - $3.40

First quarter 2017 paid downloads - 43.5
First quarter 2017 revenue per download - $2.91

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shutterstock-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2013-financial-results-246399331.html

So Shutterstock the company is doing just fine, but since the number of images and contributors increase so much, individual contributors can of course experience a decline.

However, this has nothing to do with the month-to-month manipulation. No one's saying it's not harder for the average contributor to sell stock. It most likely is.

Never mind the stats, lets see your portfolio.

Well, making money out of microstock is actually much more about stats than portfolio...

No sales since one week!!!!
Lots of sales on Adobe Stock and istock.

slow from past 5 days.

Dead!

Yep, stone dead and many more are saying the same thing. Absolutely diabolical ss has become after REGULAR sales.