Why does Adobe Stock keep rejecting new AI submissions as “Similar content” when there is clearly no similar image in my portfolio or on the platform?I carefully checked using the Visual Search and manual keyword browsing — and found nothing even close in style, color, composition, or subject.❓ So here’s my direct question:Where can we see what Adobe considers “already existing” in the library?Where is the list of “overused themes or visuals”?How are we supposed to compare before uploading, if these resources are not public?I’m not talking about random gradients or textures. My content is well-styled, curated, and market-friendly. But I get rejected with “similar” without any actual references.If Adobe is moving toward exclusivity — fine, but authors need clarity. We are trying to work with the system, not against it.Please provide real examples or guidelines, not generic advice.Thank you.

Vikky1904

Participating Frequently

Answered

"Similar content” rejection with zero actual similarity – how is this decided?

Forum|Forum|6 months ago
August 2, 2025
7 replies
3420 views

Why does Adobe Stock keep rejecting new AI submissions as “Similar content” when there is clearly no similar image in my portfolio or on the platform?

I carefully checked using the Visual Search and manual keyword browsing — and found nothing even close in style, color, composition, or subject.

❓ So here’s my direct question:

Where can we see what Adobe considers “already existing” in the library?
Where is the list of “overused themes or visuals”?
How are we supposed to compare before uploading, if these resources are not public?

I’m not talking about random gradients or textures. My content is well-styled, curated, and market-friendly. But I get rejected with “similar” without any actual references.

If Adobe is moving toward exclusivity — fine, but authors need clarity. We are trying to work with the system, not against it.

Please provide real examples or guidelines, not generic advice.
Thank you.

Correct answer daniellei4510

Or you can simply drop your assets on top of a stock.adobe.com page and see all similar examples. But you are never going to NOT find similar. From there, you have to determine if your asset is dissimilar enough to bother submitting. But no matter how unique, chances are good that it may still be rejected as similar. The algorithm or AI that is making these decisions is flawed.

Personally, I think it is related to keywords and possibly titles. If an algorithm is being used and is looking for similar keywords or titles, not similar images, that could be a determining factor. I have since avoided using Adobe's suggestions completely or putting them last in my list of keywords, while also being as unique as I can be with titles while still keeping them related to the subject. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

P

Pere Chuliá

Participant

I have been contributing to Adobe since August 2019, albeit with long periods without submitting files. I have 1,930 images in my portfolio; at present I only upload AI-generated images (around 500). Until a few weeks ago, I maintained a very high acceptance rate and then, suddenly, I went to almost total rejection, so I have decided not to invest any more time in work that ends up in the bin.

In 2019, almost anything was accepted: I have photos in my portfolio that I don’t like and wouldn’t upload today. I consider what I’m uploading now to be better and more polished, yet it is still being rejected systematically.

Adobe should acknowledge that its catalogue is oversaturated with images that have no commercial value—some of them mine. The logical solution would be to purge it automatically: delete any file that hasn’t been downloaded in the last X years (for example, two). This would slim down the catalogue and remove material that doesn’t sell, making room for new files that are more in line with current needs.

daniellei4510

Community Expert

This is an issue that has been covered ad nauseam. Theories abound, as well as suggestions such as yours, and until and unless the policy regarding similar content is changed or the criteria relaxed, it appears to be something we all have to live with.

Adobe Community Expert | If you can't fix it, hide it; if you can't hide it, delete it.

Z

ZALEZPHOTO

Inspiring

While AI is here to stay, and we may still be blown away by some computer generated work, it is become predictable and no longer unique. AI images are beginning to look all the same or too fake.
Most brands marketing their products or services don't want to mark their lasting presence with imagery that looks repeatative or fake.

Adobe like everyone else is adapting to the AI reality,

as we all are. And personally, I welcome taming down the AI creators who seem not willing to put real effort to creating real work.

Francisco ZALEZPHOTO

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

Most humans agree that AI is deeply flawed. Unfortunately, mega corporations are embracing it more & more because they think AI is more efficient than human labor. And for some things, it is, provided it's adequately supervised by humans for accuracy.

As an example, https://bsky.app/profile/nancy-oshea.bsky.social/post/3lv2kns6jns2g

If enough people send protests to Stock Contributor Support about it's failed AI moderation tool, maybe they'll be compelled to take a closer look at it.

https://contributor.stock.adobe.com/contact

Until then, we have to suck it up or take our products to competing services. That's all we can do.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

Vikky1904Author

Participating Frequently

Let me sum up what I’ve learned today from two kind contributors:

1. If you upload pencils and a notebook, and then upload brushes and paper, the AI might flag it as “similar content.” Why? Because the layout is close enough. Doesn’t matter that a buyer looking for a pencil won’t want a brush — AI sees a shape, not logic.

⠀

2. “Similar content” isn’t just about visual duplicates — it also includes anything that feels too... cousin-like. So if your first-ever pencil image gets refused for similarity, don’t worry — it’s probably similar to your own invisible past.

⠀

3. Moderators can’t tell you why something was rejected — because they don’t know either. It’s AI. But you should still be thankful and smile, because it’s less competition, right?

⠀

4. And finally: if enough people complain, maybe Adobe will do something. Until then, “suck it up or move to another platform.” Beautiful customer service. Chef’s kiss.

---

Conclusion as a creator:

AI moderation is here. It’s flawed, it’s lazy, and it doesn’t care what’s inside your work — only how similar it thinks it looks.

And if you dare to ask why — someone will smile, call it “common,” and move on.

Thanks for the wisdom. I’ll go upload a rock and pray it doesn’t remind Adobe of a potato.

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

Yep. That's the gist of it. 😄

Absurdity deserves our laughter, not tears.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

jacquelingphoto2017

Community Expert

Hi @Vikky1904 ,

We understand your frustration. I still maintain that the similar refusal is in reference to what you already submitted. Otherwise, 90% of us would end up with all similar refusals. With that said. Similar refusals are wide. It's more than having two images looking alike. If the subjects are close, it comes under similar, and only a limited number of such is allowed. I could better help you if I have access to your public profile and a few of the files refused.

Another thing, you are not addressing Adobe here, but fellow contributors. To address Adobe, you must use the "Contact us" at the bottom of your contributor page.

Regards

Jacquelin

J

jie_8284

Known Participant

Where can we see what Adobe considers “already existing” in the library? Simply right click the image in Google Chrome and do "Search with Google Lens".

daniellei4510

Correct answer

Community Expert

Or you can simply drop your assets on top of a stock.adobe.com page and see all similar examples. But you are never going to NOT find similar. From there, you have to determine if your asset is dissimilar enough to bother submitting. But no matter how unique, chances are good that it may still be rejected as similar. The algorithm or AI that is making these decisions is flawed.

Personally, I think it is related to keywords and possibly titles. If an algorithm is being used and is looking for similar keywords or titles, not similar images, that could be a determining factor. I have since avoided using Adobe's suggestions completely or putting them last in my list of keywords, while also being as unique as I can be with titles while still keeping them related to the subject. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Adobe Community Expert | If you can't fix it, hide it; if you can't hide it, delete it.

J

jie_8284

Known Participant

If similar, means, just similar color schemes, but different concepts, then I'm happy:

Left: pixie girl. Right: "similar images" according to Adobe.

Adobe Algorithm: Looks at pixel-level similarities (color, light, composition).
Human: Interprets context, story, and emotion.

Jill_C

Community Expert

We "volunteers" who frequent this forum are also of the opinion that Adobe has adopted a flawed algorithm for detecting "similars". Now that Adobe's database has passed the 800 million mark they seem to have decided that they need to slow down the acceptance of new assets. Similars rejections are sometimes justified, but often make no sense at all. Contributors have tried various strategies to defeat this rogue system, with limited success.

When it comes to gradients and textures, I'm quite certain that Adobe does NOT need another... Move on to something more unique.

Jill C., Forum Volunteer

D

DaveFX

Participating Frequently

It's true: "Now that Adobe's database has passed the 800 million mark they seem to have decided that they need to slow down the acceptance of new assets" ... and to me it means that the "time" to enter this market is now passed ... the market is saturated .... those who started years ago and built a solid portfolio are in perfect timing despite the current high competition ...

Jill_C

Community Expert

The current market may be saturated, but there are always developing trends in food, fashion, technology, travel, business, etc.

Jill C., Forum Volunteer

AlexBond

Inspiring

Today is Saturday. The inspectors are hungover and not in the mood, so they reject anything they simply don’t like, with this "Similar content” reason.

That’s the only explanation I can think of.

By the way, if you want a real answer (or, at least, formal but answer) from Adobe, you should contact support directly. Here on the forum, you’ll only get replies from “volunteers” who will try to convince you that Adobe is always right and you’re wrong — and from other contributors who are facing the same issues but also have no idea what’s going on.

Vikky1904Author

Participating Frequently

Hahaha you just made my day 😂
But seriously — I totally agree. Feels like someone’s cat walked across the keyboard and hit “Reject” 20 times.

I’m not stopping today though — I’m writing everywhere. Forum, direct support, pigeons to Adobe HQ if needed 🐦

Enough is enough. Let them deal with it.

Thanks for the laugh and solidarity ✊

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