Websites using Istockphoto

Okay, let s break down iStockphoto, covering its overview, revenue (though precise figures are often estimates), alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

iStockphoto: Overview

• What it is: iStockphoto is a microstock agency, meaning it sells royalty-free images, videos, and illustrations online. It s a subsidiary of Getty Images, a larger and more premium stock photography company.
• Key Features:
  • Royalty-Free Licensing: You pay a one-time fee for a license to use the content in various projects without ongoing royalties.
  • Vast Library: iStock boasts a massive library of content, although generally considered of slightly lower average quality than Getty Images itself.
  • Curated Content: iStock has a curated selection process, but it is less stringent than its parent company, leading to a broader range of styles and qualities.
  • Subscription and Credit Options: Offers both subscription plans and credit packs, catering to different user needs.
  • Global Reach: Operates globally, serving customers worldwide.
  • Content Types: Photos, videos, illustrations, audio.
  • Exclusivity Tiers: They have non-exclusive and exclusive contributors. Exclusive contributors get higher commissions but cannot sell their work elsewhere.

Revenue (Estimates)

• Privately Held: Getty Images (and therefore iStockphoto) is a privately held company, so they don t publicly release precise revenue figures.
• Industry Estimates: It s very difficult to give accurate revenue for iStock alone. Generally, Getty Images as a whole has revenue in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually. iStock is a significant contributor to that, but the exact amount is not publicly available. Revenue fluctuates depending on content trends, marketing efforts, and overall market conditions.

Alternatives to iStockphoto

Here s a list of popular alternatives, categorized for easier comparison:

• Other Major Microstock Agencies:

  • Shutterstock: One of the largest and most well-known, similar to iStock in terms of library size and pricing options.
  • Adobe Stock: Integrated directly into Adobe Creative Cloud, a strong choice for Adobe users.
  • Dreamstime: Long-standing microstock agency with a large library.
  • Depositphotos: Growing in popularity, offering competitive pricing.
  • Pond5: Strong in video and other multimedia assets.

• Higher-End Stock Photography (closer to Getty Images quality):

  • Getty Images: (Parent company of iStock, but significantly more expensive and curated.)
  • Offset: Owned by Shutterstock; Offers a curated collection of high-quality images.

• Free Stock Photo Sites (with varying licensing terms - read carefully!):

  • Unsplash: High-quality, free images, but be aware of the licensing (generally very permissive).
  • Pexels: Similar to Unsplash, with a good selection of free photos and videos.
  • Pixabay: Another popular source of free images and videos, with a wide variety of content.
  • Canva: Although more than just a stock site, Canva offers a decent selection of free and paid stock content integrated into its design platform.

• Niche Stock Photo Sites:

  • These focus on specific themes or styles (e.g., food photography, travel photography, etc.). Do a web search for [your niche] stock photos to find relevant options.

Pricing

iStockphoto uses a credit system and subscription plans. Pricing can vary based on the type of image (Essentials or Signature) and the size of the file. Key factors affecting price:

• Subscription Plans:
  • Offer a set number of downloads per month.
  • Generally, the most cost-effective option if you need a regular supply of images.
  • Pricing depends on the number of images per month and whether you choose Essentials (lower-priced) or Signature (higher-priced, more exclusive) content.
• Credit Packs:
  • You purchase credits in advance and use them to download images individually.
  • Better for occasional users or for specific, higher-priced content.
  • The more credits you buy, the lower the price per credit.
• Essentials vs. Signature:
  • Essentials: Lower-priced, more common images.
  • Signature: Higher-priced, more exclusive images with better legal protection.
• Size: Sometimes, larger image sizes cost more credits, but often the price is the same regardless of the size of file you need.
• Video: Video clips are typically more expensive than photos and usually require more credits.

General Pricing Examples (Subject to Change - Always Check the iStockphoto Website):

• Subscriptions: Prices can range from around $29-$399+ per month, depending on the number of downloads and the type of content.
• Credit Packs: A small credit pack might cost around $30-$50, while a larger pack could cost several hundred dollars. The cost per image varies significantly depending on whether it s Essentials or Signature.

Important Pricing Considerations:

• Read the Fine Print: Always carefully review the licensing terms before using any image. Understand what you can and cannot do with the content.
• Automatic Renewal: Be aware of automatic renewal policies on subscription plans.
• Unused Credits: Check the expiration dates of credit packs.
• Promotional Offers: iStockphoto often runs promotions and discounts, so look for these to save money.

Customer Care

• Help Center/FAQ: iStockphoto has a comprehensive online help center with answers to common questions.
• Contact Form/Email Support: You can typically contact customer support through an online form or via email.
• Phone Support: Phone support may be available in certain regions, but it s often limited. Check their website for specific phone numbers.
• Community Forums: iStockphoto doesn t have a very active community forum compared to some other platforms, but you may find some user discussions online.
• Response Times: Response times can vary, but typically expect a response within 1-2 business days for email inquiries.

Key Things to Consider When Choosing iStockphoto (or any stock photo site):

• Your Budget: How much are you willing to spend on stock photos?
• Your Frequency of Use: How often will you need to download images?
• The Quality You Need: Do you need high-end, exclusive images, or will more affordable, standard images suffice?
• Licensing Requirements: Understand the licensing terms to ensure you can use the images in your intended way.
• Search Functionality: How easy is it to find the images you need?

I hope this comprehensive overview helps! Remember to always check the official iStockphoto website for the most up-to-date information on pricing, terms, and conditions.