Author Topic: Time to kill the Top 50 at SS? (Read 5301 times)

helix7 · « **on:** April 19, 2008, 16:47 »

I posted the following in the SS Suggestions forum, and just wanted to start a poll to see if anyone is in agreement:

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I think the Top 50 of the Week is a feature that I once regarded as useful, but now think of as damaging and harmful to the Shutterstock collection. It is no longer a place for people to browse top-selling images and get ideas for concepts that sell. It is a breeding ground for duplicates, copies, and overly "inspired" images, especially in the vector section. How many times have we seen a top-selling floral design that is amazingly similar to a Top 50 floral image from last week? How many glossy icons are uploaded each week because that's what appears in the Top 50? How many times have you clicked on an image thinking, "I know who made this, I recognize this image," only to find that it's a copy made by someone else?

And is any of this actually helping the SS collection? It seems like this only encourages more of the same types of images, flooding the collection with an overabundance of copy cats that are nothing more than cheap knock-offs, rarely on the same level as the original image.

Unfortunately, these copies sell, undercutting the original artist and rewarding the practice of building a portfolio simply by re-creating cheap versions of the Top 50 images.

I think the time has come for the Top 50. In a business where there it is increasingly difficult to prevent image theft, the Top 50 only puts another tool in the hands of those who would copy an image and resell it as their own original work. What started as an inspirational tool is now just a shopping list for those who would move beyond inspiration and straight to duplication.

I respectfully suggest that Shutterstock give serious consideration to removing the Top 50 feature, or offering an opt-out option for submitters who would prefer not to see their images appear there.

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Any other thoughts on this?

Lizard · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2008, 17:10 »

I think that cant make things better, If someone wants to do all that , he will start browsing trough most popular images, and get his "ideas" there anyway , so whats the point ?

stock_fan · « **Reply #2 on:** April 19, 2008, 18:04 »

People with the skill the replicate a Top50 image will find other ways to identify "the originals". Some sites allow "sort by download" and would do ...

It is sad, but it seems that for artists who do not won't to be copied/ be an inspiration to others, this is the wrong business.

sharply_done · « **Reply #3 on:** April 19, 2008, 18:13 »

I think SS should keep the Top 50, but move it to the buyer's section of the site. It might even be useful to expand the list to Top 100 if they do this.

Allsa · « **Reply #4 on:** April 19, 2008, 18:14 »

Quote from: stock_fan on April 19, 2008, 18:04

People with the skill the replicate a Top50 image will find other ways to identify "the originals". Some sites allow "sort by download" and would do ...

It is sad, but it seems that for artists who do not won't to be copied/ be an inspiration to others, this is the wrong business.

True, but why make it easy for the copycats? Take away the top 50 list and let them do their own research.

michaeldb · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2008, 19:16 »

Quote from: sharply_done on April 19, 2008, 18:13

I think SS should keep the Top 50, but move it to the buyer's section of the site. It might even be useful to expand the list to Top 100 if they do this.

This might be the best idea. Personally, I voted "Keep it but offer an opt out." Although I doubt SS will do that, as it would require notifying, waiting for response, and so on.

I'm ambivalent about the weekly Top 50. While it was down, I had an image which I am almost sure would have been on the Top 50. At first I was disappointed that I missed being on the Top 50 again, but then I thought maybe I should be happy, because of the image Helix7 mentions.

Given the choice to opt out though, I think I would have opted in. Exposure is hard to get in this business, and I think I would like more, even if you are also exposed to copiers.

Graffoto · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2008, 21:21 »

Quote from: sharply_done on April 19, 2008, 18:13

I think SS should keep the Top 50, but move it to the buyer's section of the site. It might even be useful to expand the list to Top 100 if they do this.

I like this Idea.
And I agree with Allsa.
At least make people do a little more digging to find out what to copy.
IS also has a most popular page. But there are two columns. One for most downloads (best for someone looking for 'inspiration') and a column for highest rated (best for flicker types).

At any rate they limit both columns to only 15 images thus limiting the number of 'inspiring' files for the CC types to attempt to replicate.

Phil · « **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2008, 00:21 »

I was keen on top 50 until it went down and then I had an image get 74 sales in a week. I was annoyed but then found that purchasers cant see the top 50 only submitters. then I am glad it was broken. I think its only use is to look and get ideas / copies, and shutterstock encourage this.

I entered into a similar discussion on istock. being able to sort by and see the number downloads, stops people thinking about what they are buying (it must be it has lots of sales) and reduces photographers being creative (by saying it has lots of sales, I'll go do that.

Phil

helix7 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 21, 2008, 00:03 »

Quote from: clearviewstock on April 20, 2008, 00:21

...I entered into a similar discussion on istock. being able to sort by and see the number downloads, stops people thinking about what they are buying (it must be it has lots of sales) and reduces photographers being creative (by saying it has lots of sales, I'll go do that...

I've actually found images that are as unique as possible sell best for me. Stuff that is good quality, but conceptually rare are my top sellers. At least until they hit the Top 50 where they are copied, and the uniqueness of them is destroyed. But if all artists in microstock just did what they felt was unique and original, I think most people would actually do better than they would by trying to duplicate the Top 50.

Nothing good is coming out of the Top lists. At SS, istock, wherever. Maybe it's time they all were removed.

helix7 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2008, 10:22 »

The thing of it is, the knock-offs sell. I can certainly see why people would want to emulate the Top 50. Unfortunately I don't think it really serves anyone's best interests when there are a bunch of cheap knock-offs floating around. Buyers think they are getting a similar product, but we all can tell that it's usually an inferior product. Many of the knock-offs also include copied keywords. So if a buyer sorts by Newest First, they get the lesser-quality copied images first, not the better originals.

And the harm this does to contributors is pretty obvious. So who actually benefits from the Top 50 lists? I don't see the good in it.

lisafx · « **Reply #10 on:** April 25, 2008, 14:22 »

I'm with you. I don't see how it benefits anyone.

Of course maybe I am bitter because I have never been on any of those lists

fotoKmyst · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2008, 14:56 »

first , it's unlikely the SS will even consider listening to you.
not when they're numero uno.

moreover, the insistence of 4MP for newbie, and then a month's wait if you're rejected to resubmit is atrocious.
like, who would wait 30 bleeding days

just my tuppenny' s worth !!!

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Author Topic: Time to kill the Top 50 at SS? (Read 5301 times)

helix7

Lizard

stock_fan

sharply_done

Allsa

michaeldb

Graffoto

Phil

helix7

helix7

lisafx

fotoKmyst

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