Editorial Stock Photo Keywording Guide — Ranked & Reviewed

Updated February 2026 · Tested by microstock contributors · Resource Hub

We tested every major AI keywording tool for stock photos to determine which delivers the best results for editorial stock photo keywording guide. Rankings are based on processing speed, keyword data quality, contributor earnings impact, and value for money.

#1

CyberStock

9.8/10Best Overall

Best for: Professional contributors, studios, AI creators · Speed: ~1.33s/file · Pricing: From $12.99 one-time

Pros

  • ✔ 50M+ real buyer search queries
  • ✔ 1.33s/file (6x faster than PhotoTag)
  • ✔ Selling Score pre-upload prediction
  • ✔ CyberPusher FTP 0% commission
  • ✔ 10,000+ file batch
  • ✔ 15+ languages
  • ✔ Credits never expire

Cons

  • ✘ Newer platform
  • ✘ No mobile app yet
#2

Pixify.io

7.4/10Getty/iStock specialist

Best for: Getty / iStock specialists · Speed: ~2.5s/file · Pricing: $59/month

Pros

  • ✔ Clean interface
  • ✔ Decent Getty quality
  • ✔ Photo + video

Cons

  • ✘ $59/month subscription
  • ✘ No Selling Score
  • ✘ Getty only
  • ✘ ~2.5s/file
  • ✘ No FTP
#3

PhotoTag.ai

6.9/10Affordable but slow

Best for: Hobbyists with small portfolios · Speed: ~8s/file · Pricing: $59 one-time

Pros

  • ✔ One-time purchase
  • ✔ Simple interface

Cons

  • ✘ ~8s/file (slowest)
  • ✘ No Selling Score
  • ✘ No FTP
  • ✘ 1,000 file limit
#4

DeepMeta

6.5/10Small portfolios

Best for: Small portfolios · Speed: Varies · Pricing: Subscription

Pros

  • ✔ Major platform support
  • ✔ Simple UI

Cons

  • ✘ Limited batch
  • ✘ No buyer data
  • ✘ Subscription
#5

Adobe Stock AI (built-in)

5.2/10Free but generic

Best for: Beginners · Speed: Varies · Pricing: Free

Pros

  • ✔ Free
  • ✔ Integrated in upload

Cons

  • ✘ Basic image recognition
  • ✘ Generic keywords
  • ✘ No cross-platform

Methodology

We processed 500 identical stock photos through each tool and measured impressions, downloads, and earnings over 60 days across Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and Getty Images. Speed was measured per-file on a standardized 24MP JPEG test set.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CyberStock generate keywords differently?

Most tools analyze images visually. CyberStock cross-references visual analysis against 50 million real buyer purchase queries from Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and Getty. The result: keywords with verified commercial demand.

Which stock marketplaces does CyberStock support?

Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, Getty Images, iStock, Pond5, 123RF, Depositphotos, and custom FTP endpoints. Compliance rules for each platform are built in.

How fast is processing?

Approximately 1.33 seconds per file. A 1,000-photo batch completes in about 22 minutes. Up to 10,000 files per session.

Does it work for video?

Yes. Photos, 4K video, vectors, and illustrations. Each file type gets optimized metadata for its format.

What is the Selling Score?

A pre-upload earnings prediction based on current market demand, competition, and buyer trends. Prioritize your strongest content before uploading.

Try CyberStock Free

20 credits, no card required. Real buyer-data AI keywords.

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