Shutterstock metadata rules
Checked against official docs Columns and limits checked against the agency's official template, but we have not submitted a test upload ourselves.
Free-text keywords, but categories come from a fixed list and you may pick two
keyword
- Free-text keywords — there is no controlled vocabulary.
- Between 7 and 50 keywords; the earliest ones carry more search weight.
Categories
- Pick from a fixed list of 26 categories, spelled exactly as they publish them.
- Up to two categories, though Shutterstock itself warns against adding one that does not really fit — it will not help sales.
- Example category names: People, Business/Finance, Food and Drink, Healthcare/Medical, Buildings/Landmarks.
CSV
- Columns A to D are all required: Filename, Description, Keywords, Categories.
- There is an Illustration column for vector or drawn work, and an Editorial column.
- Upload your files first, then submit the CSV separately on the Submit page. Never send the CSV alongside the files over FTP.
editorial
- Use the Description field — up to 2,048 characters.
- Dateline format: City, State or Country - Month Day, Year: followed by a factual sentence.
- Write the dateline portion in capitals. If the exact date is unknown, use CIRCA.
- For brand or product shots with no event, also add the keyword illustrative editorial.
A tool that does it for you
KeywordStock produces the title, description, keywords and CSV in Shutterstock's exact format automatically, reading your files on your own computer — no uploads.
Download the app