How to add keywords to Shutterstock

Shutterstock reads metadata from JPGs on upload: with embedded XMP, the description and keywords are pre-filled automatically. Here are the limits and how to stop typing cards by hand.

Shutterstock limits

Description — up to 200 characters, required.
Keywords — 7 to 50.
Categories — 1–2, chosen in the dashboard (not read from metadata).
Format — JPG, at least 4 MP.

Three ways to add keywords

By hand in the dashboard — in the Content Editor after upload. Fine for single works.
Embed into the file first — XMP metadata in JPG is picked up on upload. That's how Lightroom and Bridge work.
Generate with AI — Stock Metadata Tagger writes a 200-char description and up to 50 keywords from the image and embeds them into the file.

The Shutterstock profile in Stock Metadata Tagger

Pick the “Shutterstock” profile at upload: the downloaded ZIP will have titles/descriptions trimmed to 200 characters at a word boundary and at most 50 keywords. The full metadata always stays in the service database.

10, 25 or 49? How many keywords to use on Adobe Stock, Shutterstock and Freepik. Agency limits, first-tag weight and the optimal tagging strategy.

Why Adobe Stock doesn't read your JPG metadata

Embedded XMP into a JPG but Adobe Stock shows empty fields? The missing JFIF APP0 marker is to blame. Here's the cause and how to fix the file.

How to attribute AI images for stock sites

How to attribute Midjourney, Stable Diffusion and Flux images for Adobe Stock, Freepik and Shutterstock: the Generative AI flag, metadata, limits.

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