I get the feeling that going "exclusive" at iStock is purely a personal choice. For me, when the option comes available I'm sure I will just have to compare the numbers, try to project my income in either scenario, and make the call based on that.

Are you an exclusive iStock contributor? What made you do it? If you're not and have the option, why aren't you taking it? I'm curious to hear some stories of why you did or didn't take the exclusive deal, as I believe some people may have different reasons behind their decision and it's not always just about earnings potential.

The only images that I have exclusivity on are the ones that fotolia excepted but not by anyone else, ie my rejects

For the world of me I can't see any reasons for going exclusive for my top images with any one site.

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iStock makes only 16% of my income. Even if I was diamond (I am bronze), the increase in commission would not be enough. Now if it was up closer to 50%, and I was diamond, that would be a different story.

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iStock are an important part of my microstock sales and without doubt they are one of the most succesful microstock sites, but there is no way I would go exclusive with them, there's no FTP, no freedom of speech, they change the parameters without thought for contributors and to get the gold crown it appears that you have to become a 'kiss ass'.
The small advantages of increase in commision, being able to spend even more time uploading one image at a time and (despite what they say) a drop in standards for acceptance are not eneough for me to commit to them.
Besides I can sell one image on Alamy that makes me more commision than a months worth on iStock.
It's a personal choice but I work for myself and I'll choose when, where and how I sell my images.
Not that I think they will ever do it, but I would seriously consider selling individual images through them, a bit like you can on Dreamstime.

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Richard

Thanks, guys. Those are basically the same thoughts I have about exclusivity. I think my earnings at iStock will have to reach a point where they represent 40-50% of my earnings before I could consider going exclusive. Maybe that will happen, maybe not. But it's really just about the numbers.

I wonder how many people go exclusive just for the simplicity of only uploading to one site. I was amazed to search the iStock forums and read many posts from people saying they've never tried other sites and just wanted to stick with iStock for that very reason.

Worse yet, I wonder how many people went exclusive for the free business cards.