I don't know if this was asked previously, but it would be nice to block Google's new image search from including the actual downloadable files and just display the thumbs. I've been reading other threads that it is an issue.

Just as a word of advice, that's not something I'd ever suggest doing on an image selling site.  For a new unknown site a lot of your traffic will come from Google.  Shutting down a big part of that is not a great idea. 

The issue with Google images is when a customer uploads a large unwatermarked version of your image to their site in a place Google can index it.  This is typically against the terms (or should be) and the image buyers need to be educated.

In the case of a site where you are trying to sell your images and your previews are watermarked with your brand, you definitely want those showing up in Google.  Your competitors are showing up. 

Some designers do use Google image search when they get frustrated with spammy results on their usual stock sites.  It shows a wide variety from sites (like yours) that they may not have bought from before. And I've seen first hand how much of my own traffic is coming in through these searches.

I don't think you want to be invisible in Google images when you are selling images, but that's just my opinion

Just as a word of advice, that's not something I'd ever suggest doing on an image selling site.  For a new unknown site a lot of your traffic will come from Google.  Shutting down a big part of that is not a great idea. 

The issue with Google images is when a customer uploads a large unwatermarked version of your image to their site in a place Google can index it.  This is typically against the terms (or should be) and the image buyers need to be educated.

In the case of a site where you are trying to sell your images and your previews are watermarked with your brand, you definitely want those showing up in Google.  Your competitors are showing up. 

Some designers do use Google image search when they get frustrated with spammy results on their usual stock sites.  It shows a wide variety from sites (like yours) that they may not have bought from before. And I've seen first hand how much of my own traffic is coming in through these searches.

I don't think you want to be invisible in Google images when you are selling images, but that's just my opinion

I agree actually. But if you read my OP, there was an issue I saw in a different thread where the downloadable or high res files were appearing in google searches even though they were hidden. Even some stock agencies were showing the files in the new google search. Hence my question about blocking only the hi-res files from google search bots.

I agree actually. But if you read my OP, there was an issue I saw in a different thread where the downloadable or high res files were appearing in google searches even though they were hidden. Even some stock agencies were showing the files in the new google search. Hence my question about blocking only the hi-res files from google search bots.

I'd imagine nothing but the thumbnails should be publicly accessible.

Yep sounds like you got it Leo.  About 40% of my traffic on my Ktools store is still Google images from the previews as far as I can tell. (Of course I've never really promoted it, but I'd still think that search traffic would be a big chunk if I did.)