Frequently asked questions

The iStockphoto search engine automatically creates an average color profile for each image in the database. Clicking on a color in the ‘Simple’ bar searches for images that match this profile in order of relevance. You may search for more specific colors by choosing from the RGB or HSV palettes, underneath the default ‘Simple’ bar.

We offer two different search options. For a general search, enter your keywords into the search box in the top left corner (under the logo) and click ‘Go’. For a more specific search, click on ‘Advanced Search’ on the left hand side of the page. The Advanced Search allows you to search by different file types, file sizes, by member, color and by Copyspace™. Once your search results appear, you may refine them by editing the ‘Search Options’ in the bottom left hand corner.

The personal lightbox is like a storage area for images you’re interested in. You may create numerous lightboxes based on your projects or topics. We also offer a feature that allows you to email a lightbox to clients. To add images to your lightbox, click on ‘Add to a Lightbox’ under ‘File Tools’ and follow the steps. Or, if you’re viewing thumbnails, click on the tablet icon under the image and follow the steps. The public lightbox is how you feature a collection of images to the community. You must have images from more than one artist and over 20 images in the lightbox before it may be made public. To edit lightboxes, click on the ‘Manage’ link at the bottom of the list of your lightboxes. Once there, you may make the lightbox public if it’s eligible, edit the content or description and delete or email any lightbox.

Type the file number without its preceding zeros directly into the search bar.

1. Try searching again with more descriptive terms.


2. From any page on iStock, look at the top menu (right of the search bar); double check the file type boxes. If you still need to be more specific with your search, open Advanced Search (under the site mail icon) and adjust your settings.


3. Your Advanced Search filters may be excluding results. For example: if you only have "illustrations" checked and there are no illustration files that match your search term, you will receive zero results. Or, if you have "video" checked and have selected "Vetta only" from the File collection drop-down in your Advanced Search, you will receive zero results because there are no video files in the Vetta collection.

You can search for images with empty space for copy exactly where you want. Click on the ‘Advanced Search’ link in the left hand navigation list. The 3x3 CopySpace™ grid represents the image you’d like to find. Click a square once and turn it green to find empty space. Click it again to red for occupied space. Then enter the desired keyword and search. You can also change the sensitivity of the CopySpace™ engine. Looser searches allow more background detail in unoccupied squares, while tighter searches will find completely empty spaces. You can still use all other search and sorting features.