Have Adobe Stock review times slowed in March 2026, and how long are your current files pending?

“Just trying to figure out whether this is a general backlog issue or something specific to my submissions.”

If anything, Adobe has probably cleared out its backlog, with fewer people submitting AI (or so it seems*), upload limits, contributors leaving due to an abundance of rejections, etc. As such, perhaps moderators are not being asked to work longer hours or weekends. It’s certainly has nothing to do with anything specific about your submissions, unless there’s some rotation going on with respect to moderating videos, AI, photography, and illustrations (and even that’s not likely). Moderators don’t have time (or unlikely given the pleasure) to pick and choose what assets they want to review. Don’t look for patterns when it comes to the review process. Even what I’ve just said here is probably all wrong. :)

*This may or may not be true. But in the beginning, a day didn’t go by when someone submitting AI didn’t come to this forum to ask why their assets were rejected for quality issues. So they’ve either gotten better at producing it or have moved on after discovering it wasn’t a way to get rich quick.

My latest small batch was reviewed within 24 hours.

Hey ​@jia1674 

It is hard to say with any certainty. What type of content are you uploading: photos, illustrations, icons, or AI art? If it is AI art, the wait time seems to be longer, unless it is something very unique and marketable.

Travel photography is super saturated. However, I have also had luck w the photos I submitted. I just accepted that the process could take 8 weeks and waited. 

Just remember w buildings you will need a property release form. 
 

A property release form for Adobe Stock is a legal document granting permission to use images of private property, landmarks, or specialized items for commercial purposes. It is required for recognizable private homes, unique vehicles, and intellectual property. You can use Adobe’s generic template or create your own, ensuring it is submitted as a JPEG. 

Key Details for Property Releases on Adobe Stock:

• When it's needed: For identifiable private interiors/exteriors, distinctive products (toys, vehicles), famous landmarks, and zoo animals.
• How to submit: Upload a scanned document or use the Adobe Acrobat Sign feature within the Contributor portal to request signatures electronically.
• Required Information: The document must contain the property owner's or representative's signature, date, and contact details.
• Tattoos & Artwork: Tattoos are treated as intellectual property; a release is necessary if the tattoo is the main focus of the image.
• File format: All releases must be uploaded as JPEG files

Cheers

Nate

Review times vary by seasonal activity & how many pending reviews are ahead of yours in the wait queue.

Also, many people are enjoying time off during Spring Break.

“Are approvals generally slower than rejections for you?” 

That is something that is going to vary for each indivdual contributor. Refusals for quality issues and similar content, based on anecdotal evidence, have increased, especially rejections for similar content. So it is at least going to APPEAR that assets are rejected more quickly than those that are accepted.

“Has anyone noticed changes in review speed in the past few months?”

You’ll probably get different answers from different contributors, depending on how many assets they submit. Anymore, I only submit two or three per day if that, and I’ll have two or three reviewed per day.

“Do certain types of content (street scenes, buildings, travel photos, etc.) seem to take longer?”

No. Moderators do not pick and choose what assets they want to review. I suppose it’s conceivable that videos or illustrations might take precedence over AI or photographs, for example, depending on what Adobe believes the database needs more or less of over a given period of time, but that’s just a theory on my part. It’s best not to look for patterns or apparent trends in the review process that aren’t actually there.

A few things are for certain: It used to be that assets were reviewed first in and first out. That is no longer the case. It appears to be more randomized now, with some assets getting reviewed within a day or two, while others sit in the queue for weeks or even months. Officially, Adobe says that it can take up to 8 weeks for assets to be reviewed. This seems to be the case for some but not all contributors.