Keyword Strategy for Shutterstock Contributors

Shutterstock is the giant of the industry, and its search algorithm is famously sophisticated. Success here requires a different approach than other agencies.

The Power of "Concepts"

Shutterstock buyers often search for concepts rather than literal objects. While you should tag your image of a handshake as "handshake" and "hands", the real sales come from keywords like:

• "Agreement"
• "Partnership"
• "Trust"
• "Deal"

Metadataly's AI is trained to bridge this gap, automatically identifying the emotional and conceptual context of your images.

Spelling Variations (US vs UK)

Shutterstock automatically translates keywords, but the base language standard is US English. "Color" is preferred over "Colour". "Elevator" over "Lift". Consistency helps the auto-translation engine categorize your content correctly for global buyers.