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58

Similar images already submitted!!!

Participant ,
Mar 31, 2025 Mar 31, 2025

Hello there,

I went from a 95% acceptance rate to 20% or less. Almost all of my submissions are being rejected for the "similar image" reason.

The quality of the images is really good and doesn’t have any issues.

I am uploading at most 2 or 3 variations of each object ,PNGs only and a variety of different items across many categories. I also make sure not to upload similar content that I’ve previously submitted. I am 100% certain that my entire account doesn’t have more than three variations of any given item.

Sometimes, I upload the same object in different styles.

for example, a car in a 3D style and another version in watercolor or clay, so they are still distinct. (2 to 3 variations for each style)

 

Is this a general issue that will be resolved soon, or is it only affecting me?

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correct answers 6 Correct answers

Community Expert , Mar 31, 2025 Mar 31, 2025

Yes, it affects your contributions in that they aren't made available for sale.

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Community Expert , Mar 31, 2025 Mar 31, 2025

It is believed that "similar images" also refers to other similar images throughout the database from other Contributors. 

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Community Expert , Mar 31, 2025 Mar 31, 2025

It's not just you.

Others are seeing "similar" rejections, too.

 

 

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Community Expert , Mar 31, 2025 Mar 31, 2025

I received a response in a day. But again, it was copperplate standard text. Point is to just let them know what's going on, since Adobe doesn't always check out some of the forums.

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Community Expert , Apr 03, 2025 Apr 03, 2025

Don't use e-mail. Use the "contact us" form! https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/Need-Help-Contact-Us.html

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Community Expert , Apr 11, 2025 Apr 11, 2025

A number of contributors are having assets rejected for being too similar when in fact they are not. We don't know why. Our only option is to wait things out until the situatioin is explained or fixed. Some have ceased to submit new assets in the meantime. 

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replies 405 Replies 405
Community Beginner ,
Apr 14, 2025 Apr 14, 2025

Hello. I have had an illustration rejected due to similars. I understand what that means. But if you take my rejected artwork as an example: 1 Set of vetirinar cats and 2 Bear miner with a lamp, I didn't find a huge amount of such works in the stock search. Yes, the cats at the vet have lots of illustrations, but the cat itself in the vetirinar profession is almost nonexistent. Here are screenshots from the search. Please explain more, I would not like to violate your rules and create similars, but I can not figure out how to avoid it.

 

[Moderator merged this with a similar topic]

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Community Expert ,
Apr 14, 2025 Apr 14, 2025

We have heard altot of this lately and cannot give you an answer. We suggest you use the >C>ontact Us link on your dashboard to request assistance.

========================================
Photography is more than just pressing a button!
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Community Beginner ,
Apr 14, 2025 Apr 14, 2025

Thanks for the tip

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Community Expert ,
Apr 14, 2025 Apr 14, 2025

There are a lot of "similar" rejections recently. I suppose it is because of a new tool that is ill configured. Maybe that will get better soon.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
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Community Beginner ,
Apr 14, 2025 Apr 14, 2025

I realize that new tools require tweaking, but I'm worried about my account ranking. I hope to get everything set up as soon as possible. Thanks for the reply.

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Community Expert ,
Apr 14, 2025 Apr 14, 2025

AS everyone is similarly affected, your ranking will not suffer. But it's more the lost time in correcting, key wording and submitting.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
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Community Expert ,
Apr 14, 2025 Apr 14, 2025

Rejections appear to be rather random these days; however they won't put your account in jeopardy.

Jill C., Forum Volunteer
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Engaged ,
Apr 14, 2025 Apr 14, 2025

It's true that everyone is in the same boat, but it's still really discouraging. I submitted 17 images – 10 AI-generated and 7 photos – and they were all rejected for the same reason. Is this how it will be from now on? I ask myself questions!

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Community Expert ,
Apr 14, 2025 Apr 14, 2025

I agree. I uploaded a very unique image from my recent travels to Puerto Rico. There are only a few other images in the database of the same fort and none from the same vantage point, and it got rejected as "similar". I'm done with uploading new assets until this situation is fixed.

Jill C., Forum Volunteer
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Explorer ,
Apr 15, 2025 Apr 15, 2025

Same, I got my metal frog:

jie_8284_0-1744728155707.jpeg

Because it would be too similar to my water frog:


 

They are clearly not similar!

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Community Expert ,
Apr 16, 2025 Apr 16, 2025
quote

Same, I got my metal frog:

Because it would be too similar to my water frog:

 

They are clearly not similar!


By @jie_8284

How do you know that it is exactly that frog that is considered similar? The refusal does not show the similar assets.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
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Explorer ,
Apr 16, 2025 Apr 16, 2025

They have similar automated generated tags.

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Explorer ,
Apr 15, 2025 Apr 15, 2025

I've received a reply.

Your file may be considered overly repetitive or highly similar to other content already available for sale on the Adobe Stock website. To avoid refusal, we suggest reviewing the below resources on our Learn & Support site

  • Research Existing Content: Look at similar content already available on Adobe Stock. Identify common themes, styles, and subjects to ensure your submission offers a different perspective or approach. What is in demand. 
  • Add Unique Elements: Incorporate unique elements, techniques, or perspectives that set your content apart from others. This could include unique angles, lighting, compositions, or creative concepts.  

               8 Tips for Better Images. 

By following these steps, you can increase the chances that your content will be considered accepted on Adobe Stock. 

 

 

Obviously , I wasn't impressed, sending this...

 

 

Thanks for your reply — although I have to say I’m very disappointed by the lack of engagement with the actual concern I raised.

I specifically asked not to receive a generic response, yet that’s exactly what was sent. The issue here is not with the usual guidelines or quality standards — I’ve been a successful contributor in the past with a high acceptance rate, and I continue to follow Adobe’s submission rules carefully.

The problem appears to be systemic. As I mentioned, and as evidenced in numerous threads on your own contributor forums (including the one I linked to in my original message: (link removed) many contributors are reporting mass rejections for files that are clearly not repetitive or similar to previously submitted content. This strongly suggests a flaw in your current review process.

What I’m asking for is not a restatement of policy, but for this issue to be investigated properly. If your review system is currently driven by automation or AI, then there may well be a bug or misconfiguration at play. At the very least, a real human needs to review this pattern and provide insight — not just to me, but to the wider contributor community.

Please escalate this matter to someone with the authority and ability to look into potential issues with your current review process. I would appreciate a response that addresses the specifics of this concern.

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Explorer ,
Apr 15, 2025 Apr 15, 2025

In short, the approval system is run by AI nowadays, AI can either accept your submission in 10 minutes, or reject it in 10 days.

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Explorer ,
Apr 16, 2025 Apr 16, 2025

(Apologies for font size issues, if tehy've remained when posting!)

 

I've had a bit of a conversation with Adobe, after giving their rep a one-star rating, after they sent me the original reply I posted.

After a "discussion" they finally came back with...

"Yes, I understand the entire thread is about why both their and your files were rejected for similar reasons.

In response to customer feedback requesting a better search experience, we are improving our efforts to make content more relevant and better aligned with the needs of our global base of customers.

 There is no glitch in the system.

We reject files that are too similar to what we already have for sale on our website. However, if you believe you uploaded a file that is very unique and unlike anything currently on Adobe Stock, please send me the file number so we can review the rejection reason."

 

I still don't believe this is the case. Everything I'm uploading is now gettting rejected. it makes zero sense, as I know what I'm doing, but there's nothing more I can do with this rep.

 

I have sent another general email, starting again, in the hope we get someone that will investigate properly.

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New Here ,
Apr 16, 2025 Apr 16, 2025

Hi everyone,     "Similar images" rejection case also happened with me. IDK what happened to the Adobe Stockimage.png 

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Explorer ,
Apr 16, 2025 Apr 16, 2025

Maybe they have similar invisible watermarking noise in them: could you try with some random other "adversarial noise" added to them and see what happens?

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Community Beginner ,
Apr 16, 2025 Apr 16, 2025

Starting last month, a lot of my AI images are being rejection due to the reason - Similar images already submitted. Even though they are no way near previous published ones. Are there any other factors that could affect this?


[Moderator merged the thread.]

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Participant ,
Apr 16, 2025 Apr 16, 2025

Alot of contributers facing same issue.. it's not a bug .

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Community Expert ,
Apr 16, 2025 Apr 16, 2025

We assume that Adobe is using a new tool, flagging many assets in error.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
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Explorer ,
Apr 16, 2025 Apr 16, 2025

Maybe they have similar invisible watermark pixel patterns

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Community Expert ,
Apr 16, 2025 Apr 16, 2025
quote

Maybe they have similar invisible watermark pixel patterns


By @jie_8284

No.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
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Explorer ,
Apr 17, 2025 Apr 17, 2025

Prove it!

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Community Expert ,
Apr 17, 2025 Apr 17, 2025

It was your theory. The burden of proof is on you. 😉


Forum Volunteer | One thing I've learned from these forums is how to spell algorithm.
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Community Beginner ,
Apr 16, 2025 Apr 16, 2025

This is just the latest abuse of contributors by stock sites that has been going on for a number of years. Microstock's heyday was in the early 2000's.  Today, the cost-benefit of shooting, editing, keywording and uploading is hardly worth it if arbitrary rejections are the result and commission rate cuts have caused income to crash.  One well-known stock site cut its commissions by two-thirds several years ago and I deactivated my account.  I've about had it with this site also.

 

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