Content Guidelines
Content Guidelines
47 articles
Content Policy Updates: AI-generated ContentShutterstock does not accept AI-generated content from our contributors
Content Publishing Standards: Personally Identifiable Information (PII)Commercial content cannot contain real names, addresses, signatures, or any personally identifiable information (PII)
Does Shutterstock accept 3D objects or models?3D objects on Shutterstock are powered by PixelSquid
Vector and Illustration Quality RequirementsLearn about content submission requirements such as design composition or rasterization quality.
Content Publishing Standards: Anti-CounterfeitingContent cannot depict currency, checks, identification documents, or postage stamps that pose counterfeiting risks.
Photo and Video Quality RequirementsLearn about content submission requirements for quality such as focus, exposure, or noise.
Content Quality Standards: Post-productionContent manipulation must be of high quality to be accepted.
Content Quality Standards: InterlacingVideo footage should not exhibit fast motion ("combing") or blurring due to frame bending.
Content Quality Standards: Distortion/AnomalyAn overview of distortion and anomaly issues in video clips
Content Quality Standards: Still Photo in VideoStill photos in videos are acceptable when used with specific effects.
Content Publishing Standards and Policy UpdatesShutterstock is simplifying and expanding our approach to content submissions.
Description and Keyword Best PracticesTips and best practices for creating compelling metadata
What are the technical requirements for video?Submitted video clips must meet the specified file formats and resolutions
Can Shutterstock help me recover lost work?If your hard drive crashes we may be able to help you
Can I submit videos created on a mobile device?Yes! It’s important to shoot and transfer in the highest resolution possible.
Offset Artist FAQEverything you need to know about submitting to the Offset collection on Shutterstock
Do you accept 4K footage?Technical requirements for 4k footage
Do you accept footage with Alpha Channels?We accept certain forms of Alpha Channel
May I submit logos that I designed?Logos are permitted under certain circumstances and restrictions
Content Quality Standards: ExposureContent is underexposed, overexposed, or was shot in unfavorable lighting conditions.
Content Quality Standards: FocusContent is not in focus or the focal point is not appropriate for the composition.
How Are Keyword and Title Spamming Defined?Keyword spamming is overusing repeated or irrelevant terms. Titles must not include repeated words or phrases from descriptions.
Best Practice Recommendations for Saving EPS FilesHow to save the highest quality vector at the smallest file size
How to avoid trademarks when creating content for commercial useFollow these recommendations on trademarks to stay within our content publishing standards on Intellectual Property
How do I include existing metadata with my content submission?We accept descriptions, keywords, and other metadata as a CSV file for image and video submissions
Content Publishing Standards: Contextual MetadataDescriptions and keywords, along with other relevant tags are essential to making your content discoverable.
Content Publishing Standards: Intellectual PropertyWhen contributing content to Shutterstock, you must have proven IP ownership of all content that is submitted and what is depicted.
Content Publishing Standards: Legal DocumentationCertain content cannot be accepted without releases, press credentials or other additional documentation.
Content Quality Standards: Aliasing / MoiréContent contains visible aliasing / moiré.
Content Quality Standards: Camera Stabilization / MovementCamera movement should be intentional and motivated by action within the frame.
Content Quality Standards: Color ProfilesYour image contains both RGB and CMYK color profiles.
Content Quality Standards: CompositionUnacceptable framing, cropping or overall image/video composition.
Content Quality Standards: Design CompositionElements in the design must not be misaligned, misplaced, or unevenly cropped.
Content Quality Standards: Digital Conversion QualityDust, scratches and debris in scanned artwork are not acceptable.
Content Quality Standards: Distracting ElementsUnintentional presence of dust or other distracting elements in the frame is not accepted.
Content Quality Standards: Editing TechniquesAn overview of our standards for editing techniques
Content Quality Standards: EPS FormatWe only accept EPS files compatible with version 8 or 10 of Adobe Illustrator.
Content Quality Standards: Extra Vector ObjectsVectors should not contain any objects outside of artboard or in hidden layers.
Content Quality Standards: Font RequirementAll live fonts must be converted to outlines.
Content Quality Standards: Frame Rate / Shutter SpeedFrame rate conversion can lead to ghosting and duplicate or skipped frames
Content Quality Standards: Gradients/BlendsGradients and blends should display a smooth transition of colors and tones.
Content Quality Standards: RasterizationRasters should be compressed at a high resolution.
Content Quality Standards: Vector Color MismatchIncluding CMYK PostScript in RGB files may cause a color shift.
What kind of camera and equipment do I need to create stock content?You can create beautiful and engaging stock content without spending a fortune on pro gear or editing software.
Guidelines for Submitting Diverse and Inclusive ContentSubmission guidelines for content that relates to race, ethnicities, disabilities, religion, age, gender, and sexual orientation.
Quality Standards: Noise / ArtifactsContent contains excessive noise, film grain, compression artifacts and/or posterization.
What are the technical requirements for images?Only certain formats, color profiles and dimensions are accepted