Understanding Use of Keywords

[Sherwood_Martinelli]

SO, have spent some serious time getting over 300 images approved...still am amazed that for every one accepted, 2-3 are rejected, but that is for another discussion. Tonight went and looked at my page, and there is a button that says, "Find Similar"...a lot of times, clicking that button brings up nothing similar, though there should be.   Which leads me to believe there must be some clue to using keywords in a way that groups things better so that when someone does look at your work (do they actually look?) and click on that button you can increase your chances of a sale but letting them actually see more of your work in a similar vein.

So, is there someone who can provide some information on keywords, and how to use them in a way that seems your groups of pictures growing so potential customers could see similar works...or is there something else I am missing in making this work for me? 

Has Adobe thought of designing a set of online study video's on these topics with a test at the end, so us NEWBIES to stock photography could greatly improve our chances of selling something?  Gets discouraging when you have uploaded over 1000 images, have only had a little over 300 approved, and though you've made 20 sales, your cash earnings are barely over $14.   At this rate, think I am working for about 7 cents an hour.

Sherwood

[oleschwander]

Hi Sherwood - for most people there isn’t any serious money in microstock, just a few pennies. It’s more kind of a hobby or a non-paid time cosuming passion ..!

Regardin keywording there is a lot of advises to be found around on the internet and also help to generate them.

[Sherwood_Martinelli]

Saddens me, but am afraid you are perfectly correct in saying Stock Photography is not overly profitable...actually, not sure photography as a whole is profitable any more for the majority of us with a passion for it...so much free use stuff tossed out onto the internet like snowflakes in a Nor'easter.  

[v.poth]

Hi,

I think for some, and certainly not for a few, the business here is profitable, but not for others. Beginners/hobby providers often despair here and struggle with their income, sales figures and time expenditure.

From my experience it is quite possible to generate a good income here. Five years ago I started as a hobby supplier to produce pictures and upload them to Fotolia. In the first month I earned a hefty 0.25€, today I can almost pay my rent for the apartment. You can be successful, but like in any other job, I think not everyone can be successful. The time expenditure and learning effort for the beginner/hobby offerer is naturally higher than for the trained professional photographer in order to be able to generate sales in this business, that should be probably clear to everyone. You can't expect to earn money like a professional without supplying a suitable and professional stock material that can be sold by the agency.

These basic conditions are apparently underestimated or not perceived by this kind of providers and that leads to frustration or resignation, I suspect.

You should always be aware of this, even if everyone can register as a provider here, that it is still a professional stock photo agency that wants to market good, professional stock photos.

Greets,

v.poth

[ricky336 · Accepted solution]

The auto-keyword function is good once you have uploaded. However, you DO need to review them. The auto function lists a lot of the main words connected with the picture. But, it is important to review the words and add your own relevant words to the image, as well as deleting irrelevant  words.

If you haven't done already, read this guide:

https://helpx.adobe.com/content/dam/help/en/stock/contributor/Adobe_Stock_Contributor_Guide.pdf

It is quite good.

oleschwander is right - I don't think there is much money to be made - unless you do a lot of product type photography and that kind of thing, but of course to make money you would have a lot of downloads, in the 1000s.

For me, it is rather a non-paid time consuming hobby

[joanH]

I have submitted illustrations and found a crazy list offered for me to accept and check or reject. If one of my portraits has a strange hairstyle I often get something related to a hat, construction hard hat, football or something terribly unrelated. Sure, it is my pleasure to select better descriptive words. I often end up composing a completely new list. Communicating with the potential buyer selected and interesting descriptions is a skill that is worth developing. PR people do it well. JH

[joanH]

While I am not in the "making big money" group from my Adobe Stock offerings, I am honored to participate in the process of learning and growing my skills as an artist. This exchange with the many talented artists and Adobe users is valuable, fun and excellent for connecting with markets all over the world. I even learn how to illustrate my children's book for international sales which my publishing company automatically handles. SO, money is not my main objective and I will stay with this the rest of my life. Of course, I do love the variety of responses to rejection - I am a retired Psychotherapist.

[v.poth]

Hi,

as far as I know you can't influence the "Find similar" display, it is set by the selectors. But I don't really know for sure, maybe Mat Hayward can say something about it.

Here is a tutorial from Adobe about keywording:

https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/how-to/keyword-title-best-practices.html?playlist=/ccx/v1/collection/p...

It is also helpful to search the Adobe database for comparable images and look at the keywords used by other providers.

Greets,

v.poth