Complete Metadata Guide for Freepik, iStock & Getty Images

Platform Overview

Beyond Adobe Stock and Shutterstock, there are several other major platforms worth contributing to. Each has unique requirements that can make or break your success.

Freepik

Freepik is one of the fastest-growing stock platforms, especially popular in Europe and Latin America.

Freepik Title Requirements

• Length: 5-200 characters
• Style: Descriptive and natural
• Language: English preferred for global reach

Freepik Keywords

• Maximum: 50 keywords
• Minimum: 5 keywords
• Format: Comma or space-separated

Freepik Categories

Select from predefined categories:

• Photos
• Vectors
• PSD
• Icons

Pro Tip for Freepik

Freepik has a strong community of graphic designers. Include keywords related to design usage like "template," "mockup," "background," and "texture."

iStock by Getty Images

iStock is part of the Getty Images family and maintains high quality standards.

iStock Title Requirements

• Length: Up to 200 characters
• Style: Professional and descriptive
• Note: Title becomes the main filename

iStock Keywords

• Maximum: 50 keywords
• Minimum: No minimum, but more is better
• Format: Selected from controlled vocabulary (ESP system)

iStock Categories

Uses the Getty controlled vocabulary system. Key categories include:

• People
• Business
• Lifestyle
• Nature
• Technology

Model and Property Releases

iStock is strict about releases. Ensure you have:

• Signed model releases for all recognizable people
• Property releases for private locations
• Clear editorial labeling when needed

Getty Images (Editorial)

Getty Images is the premium destination for editorial content.

Getty Caption Requirements

• Length: Detailed captions required
• Style: Journalistic - who, what, where, when, why
• 5Ws: Answer all five Ws in your caption

Getty Keywords

• Maximum: 50 keywords
• ESP System: Uses Getty's controlled vocabulary
• Quality: Focus on accuracy and relevance

Editorial Standards

Getty has the strictest editorial standards:

• Event documentation required
• Accurate dates and locations
• Newsworthy content preferred
• No staged or simulated news

Comparison Table

Feature	Freepik	iStock	Getty Images
Max Keywords	50	50	50
Title Length	200	200	200+
Category System	Simple	ESP	ESP
Difficulty	Easy	Medium	Hard
Best For	Designers	General	Editorial

Multi-Platform Strategy

Step 1: Create Master Metadata

Build a comprehensive metadata file with:

• Detailed title (200 characters)
• 50 quality keywords
• Full description
• Technical details

Step 2: Adapt for Each Platform

Modify your master file for each platform's requirements:

• Adjust keyword count as needed
• Reformat categories
• Customize descriptions

Step 3: Use CSVGen for Automation

CSVGen exports platform-specific CSV files automatically:

• Adobe Stock format
• Shutterstock format
• Freepik format
• Getty/iStock format

Conclusion

Each platform has unique requirements, but the fundamentals remain the same: accurate, descriptive, and buyer-focused metadata wins. Start with quality content and let the metadata do its job.

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CSVGen supports all major stock platforms. Generate your metadata now and start selling on every platform!