DepositPhotos Controversial Revenue Sharing Model

"At Depositphotos, we’re always on the lookout to create new opportunities for our contributors. For this reason, we are introducing a Special Program in response to the increased demand for new plans on licensed content.

Under the new program, your earnings will be based on the Revenue Share model. This means that 40% of net revenue will be allocated among contributors whose files have been downloaded within the new plan."

Some contributors within the microstock community are not happy about the new DepositPhotos revenue sharing model. This model is based off of monthly subscriptions, where clients pay a monthly membership fee for unlimited access to the DepositPhoto library.

"Contributors who participate in the Revenue Share Special Program will share 40% of net subscription revenue. Royalties are prorated among Contributors according to the proportion of their files in individual subscribers’ downloads, with increased earnings for those at higher Contributor’s Levels. Royalties for files downloaded under the Program are awarded in aggregate at the end of each month."

Many microstock contributors believe this will lower their profits in the long run. Previously, DepositPhotos would send out an email to certain contributors and ask them to join voluntarily, but now they are being opted-in without their consent. This is causing some contributors to close their DepositPhotos account.

"Dear contributor,

Congratulations on becoming a member of our Special Program for contributors!

From now on, in addition to your regular income from selling files on our platform, you’ll receive 40% of net revenue for files downloaded under a Depositphotos subscription. Your royalties will be awarded in aggregate at the end of each month.

Read more about the Revenue Share model (RSM) here. In case you have questions or you want to quit the program, please contact support@depositphotos.com
Regards,
DepositPhotos Team"

If you do not want to be part of the new revenue sharing model, there is another solution. Some contributors have successfully opted-out by contacting DepositPhotos via their support email/chat lines. Let me know what you think about this new revenue model in the comments below.