Author Topic: When Did StockXpert Change The Default Sort Order? (Read 7506 times)

GeoPappas · « **on:** February 21, 2007, 18:28 »

StockXpert recently changed the default sort order from Most Recent to Top Downloads.

Anyone know when this took effect?

Lizard · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2007, 19:11 »

I don't know for sure , but I'm ready to bet it was few weeks ago , cause my downloads suddenly went down , and last few days were all like holidays for me

sharpshot · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2007, 03:46 »

My sales fell at first but have bounced back now.

There is a thread here that started Feb 7, so they must have done this before then.

http://www.stockxpert.com/forum.phtml?f=showtopic&n=2005

Opla · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2007, 05:17 »

My sales over there fell in February and are still down.
Rejection gets worse too.

steve-oh · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2007, 08:30 »

Just wanted to let you gyus know that we realize this new default ordering is not a viable long term strategy, so we will be changing it.

StockManiac · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2007, 08:33 »

Quote from: steve-oh on March 01, 2007, 08:30

Just wanted to let you gyus know that we realize this new default ordering is not a viable long term strategy, so we will be changing it.

If sales are up 30%, why change it? Why not let it run its course?

CJPhoto · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2007, 08:48 »

Quote from: StockManiac on March 01, 2007, 08:33

Quote from: steve-oh on March 01, 2007, 08:30
Just wanted to let you gyus know that we realize this new default ordering is not a viable long term strategy, so we will be changing it.

If sales are up 30%, why change it? Why not let it run its course?

Maybe because it promotes photos with lots of downloads, so they get lots of downloads, so it further promotes them. therefore older photos get more promotion and new photags have no incentive.

SS realised this so changed to highest DL rate (ie a time critera).

StockManiac · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2007, 09:21 »

You can't please all of the people all of the time.

Obviously, no matter what the default search is, it will affect submitters. Some submitters will gain, while others will lose.

You are correct, that the current default sort order (by downloads) markets images that have more sales, and thus those images will benefit. So submitters that have images that are popular will gain, while submitters that don't have many sales will lose.

The old default sort order (by newest first) marketed new images. The problem there is that you might get one or two sales and that is it. You basically have to keep uploading in order to get more sales. Once you stop uploading, the ride is over. So submitters that don't upload images all the time won't sell as much.

Either way, someone will be affected.

So to me it should come down to total sales. For StockXpert, this is about making money. IMO, if sales are up 30%, then that is a good thing.

This will give StockXpert more money to market. More money to market everyone's images: yours and mine. And it will allow them to put more money back into the site and create more features.

That is why I say let this run its course. Give StockXpert a chance to make some money so that they can help all of us benefit.

sim · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2007, 09:42 »

So since new images are not getting viewed and sold whats the point of uploading? How will a site grow and market itself in the long run based on selling old images?

Their selling point will also be on attracting new and creative images to the site and to provide a constant source of creativity for designers.

Also, their 30% uplift in sales is great but, how much of this was due to their shift in search default and how much was based on prior marketing efforts based on the old default?

There needs to be a balance between marketing new and promoting best sellers, in my opinion.

My 2 cents worth

CJPhoto · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2007, 09:46 »

What i wrote wasn't about pleasing people.

If I uploaded a 2mp image 3 years ago and it had lots of DL it would come in first. A newer 8mp image which is better wont get seen. From StockXpert point of view, selling the 8mp one is better if it is downloaded in L or XL size compared to only a S.

It also means designers wont see new stuff (like looking at SS all time top 50 which hardly ever moves (it is self perpetuating due to the marketing it gets)). This could make them go else where.

You also mention StockXpert 30% increase in sales. Is this because of the new search method?

I think SS system is good as it rewards photos that sell without favouring new or old images.

Think of it from a sites point of view - they want buyers to see the best image, regardless of whether it is new or old. Due to different age on the site, DL by itself isn't necessarily a good measure.

grp_photo · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2007, 10:55 »

SS-System is the other extreme

. StockXpert is now trying to develop a compromise between both extremes. Just perfect and fair like always

Freezingpictures · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2007, 11:34 »

Well I agree, what about the new Images, but if the overall sales have increased 30% I do not mind the change. For me it is good. I think I am one of the people who benefited from this. The earnigs have gone up for me about 30%. The thing I do not like at SS is, that you constantly have to upload images.

StockManiac · « **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2007, 12:13 »

Some of you talk as if you can't see new images at all, but the fact of the matter is that a buyer just has to change the default sort order to newest to view new images.

The question you might want to ask is "Why the 30% increase in profits when changing the default sort oder?"

Previously, a buyer viewed the newest images by default, and purchased less images.

Now, a buyer views the most sold images by default, and purchases more images.

I'm sure that most of you are arguing to change it back because you have been affected in a negative way (which is a selfish motive).

You can argue all you want from a personal perspective, but if it were my business I would keep it the way it is for a while.

CJPhoto · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2007, 12:28 »

My sales when up so it is not selfish (though not by 30%). I am also arguing for something different to what they had or have.

I think the default should be a "best match".

Users should be able to choose "newest" or "most DL" and that should be saved in their cookies.

But I think a best match is crutial and for that it should pick up better photos (all keywords being equal) and by better I dont mean more DL. The best measure of better may be how many DL it's had in the past month or avage DL per month.

sim · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2007, 13:06 »

Quote from: StockManiac on March 01, 2007, 12:13

Some of you talk as if you can't see new images at all, but the fact of the matter is that a buyer just has to change the default sort order to newest to view new images.

The question you might want to ask is "Why the 30% increase in profits when changing the default sort oder?"

Previously, a buyer viewed the newest images by default, and purchased less images.

Now, a buyer views the most sold images by default, and purchases more images.

I'm sure that most of you are arguing to change it back because you have been affected in a negative way (which is a selfish motive).

You can argue all you want from a personal perspective, but if it were my business I would keep it the way it is for a while.

This isn't about being selfish, StockManiac.
We are in this to maximise our sales and if the paradigm shifts to our detriment we have a right to voice our concerns!
As Steve from StockXpert said; they will be changing this default again as it is not viable as long term strategy.
I praise the team at StockXpert for testing out new models and listening to the concerns of their submitters! This commands loyalty as well as good business sense.

Kngkyle · « **Reply #15 on:** March 01, 2007, 14:09 »

If they are going to sort them by popularity, they should base it on that days downloads. Not overall. That way it gives beginners and new submissions a chance.

epixx · « **Reply #16 on:** March 06, 2007, 00:42 »

An obvious negative consequence of the new sort order, is that, when designers search for certain key words, the same photos will appear every time. To start with, that will give increased sales, since those are probably the best images as well, but long term, customer will get the impression that StockXpert doesn't renew or add to their image bank.

Although it's possible for buyers to change search criteria, the first impression will still remain. And having been a designer for many years, I know enough lazy ones, who will often just pick the first usable image that pops up on the first page.

I did a search for "golf ball", as I had some golf ball images approved at StockXpert recently. I found my new images on page 53. That makes me wonder why I bother to upload new images to StockXpert at all. First they have the highest rejection rate out there, and then, if my photos are approved, they are burried at the bottom of the pile.

sharpshot · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2007, 12:58 »

Quote from: steve-oh on March 01, 2007, 08:30

Just wanted to let you gyus know that we realize this new default ordering is not a viable long term strategy, so we will be changing it.

Any news on this? My sales have been up and down but the average is well below what I was used to. Hope the changes are made soon.

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Author Topic: When Did StockXpert Change The Default Sort Order? (Read 7506 times)

GeoPappas

Lizard

sharpshot

Opla

steve-oh

StockManiac

CJPhoto

StockManiac

sim

CJPhoto

grp_photo

Freezingpictures

StockManiac

CJPhoto

sim

Kngkyle

epixx

sharpshot

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