Getty Images Keyword Guide: How to Tag and Upload Your Photos
Published March 30, 2026
Getty Images and iStock share a contributor platform called ESP (Getty Images Contributor). If your keywords are wrong, or thin, or generic, buyers won't find your images. It's that direct.
Below: how Getty's metadata system actually works, what separates good Getty keywords from bad ones, and how to get metadata onto your images without losing an afternoon.
How Getty Images metadata works
Every image on Getty and iStock has three metadata fields. All three affect whether your photo shows up in search:
| Field | Max Length | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Title | 250 characters | Displayed under the image in search results. Should describe the scene clearly. |
| Description | 2,000 characters | Adds context for buyers and search ranking. Not always visible but affects discoverability. |
| Keywords | 50 max | The primary search mechanism. Buyers search by keyword, and Getty ranks results partly by keyword relevance. |
One thing that trips people up: Getty weighs keywords by position. The order of your keywords matters. Keywords listed first get more weight than ones at the end. So put your most specific terms up top.
Writing titles for Getty Images
Getty titles should be descriptive and natural. Think of the title as a short caption a photo editor would understand at a glance.
Good title examples
- Good: "Senior woman using laptop at kitchen table, morning light"
- Good: "Aerial view of fishing boats in turquoise harbor, Croatia"
- Weak: "Woman computer" — too vague, wastes the title
- Weak: "Beautiful amazing stunning landscape photo" — adjective stuffing, no useful information
Include the who, what, where, and context. Buyers on Getty tend to search for specific scenarios, so specificity wins.
Choosing keywords for Getty and iStock
Getty allows up to 50 keywords per image, but quality beats quantity. 25 to 35 well-chosen keywords typically outperform 50 loosely related ones.
Keyword categories to cover
A good keyword set covers the subject (what's in the photo), the setting (indoor, outdoor, specific locations), any concepts or themes (teamwork, freedom, sustainability), the mood (calm, energetic, dramatic), composition details (close-up, wide angle, copy space), and how a buyer might use the image (background, hero image, editorial).
You don't need to hit all six categories for every image. But the more angles you cover, the more searches your photo can appear in.
Keywords to avoid
- Camera or equipment brand names
- Your name or studio name
- Irrelevant trending terms (keyword stuffing hurts your ranking)
- Synonyms of the same word repeated ("happy, happiness, happily")
- Single-character or meaningless keywords
Getty's review team will reject images with irrelevant keywords. A few false tags can get your whole submission sent back.
How to upload metadata to Getty Images
Getty offers two ways to add metadata: through their web portal (ESP) or by embedding it in your image files before upload.
Option 1: ESP web portal
- Log in to the Getty Images Contributor (ESP) portal
- Upload your images via the web uploader or FTP
- Select one or multiple images in your dashboard
- Fill in the title, description, and keywords in the metadata panel
- Choose the appropriate category and release type
- Submit for review
The ESP portal lets you batch-edit metadata for multiple images at once. Select several images, and any metadata you enter will apply to all of them — useful for images from the same shoot.
Option 2: Embed metadata in IPTC fields
If you embed IPTC/XMP metadata into your image files before uploading, Getty will read it automatically. This is faster for large batches because the metadata travels with the file.
- IPTC Title → maps to Getty title
- IPTC Description/Caption → maps to Getty description
- IPTC Keywords → maps to Getty keywords
You can embed IPTC data using tools like Adobe Bridge, Lightroom, or Photo Mechanic before uploading to ESP.
Getty vs. iStock: metadata differences
Getty Images and iStock share the same upload platform, but there are a few differences worth knowing:
| Feature | Getty Images | iStock |
|---|---|---|
| Review process | Curated — stricter acceptance | More accessible for new contributors |
| Keyword weight | Order matters (first keywords ranked higher) | Same system (shared platform) |
| Buyer audience | Agencies, publishers, enterprise | Small businesses, bloggers, designers |
| Editorial content | Strong editorial market | Primarily commercial/creative |
When adding keywords, think about who's buying on each platform. Getty buyers often search for specific editorial scenarios ("CEO speaking at conference"), while iStock buyers search for broader creative themes ("business leadership").
Common Getty keywording mistakes
Putting generic keywords first
Since Getty weights keyword order, starting with "photo" or "image" wastes your most valuable keyword slots. Lead with the most specific, relevant terms.
Ignoring the description field
Many contributors leave the description blank. While keywords are the primary search mechanism, a well-written description adds context and can improve your ranking for longer search queries.
Using the same keywords for every image
Copying the same keyword set across your entire portfolio makes your images compete with each other. Tailor keywords to what's actually in each specific photo.
Submitting without checking for typos
A misspelled keyword is an invisible keyword. "Landscpe" won't match anyone's search. Review your keywords before submitting.
Skip the typing
Writing titles, descriptions, and 30+ keywords per image adds up. A batch of 50 photos from a shoot can eat an entire day. KeywordPic generates all three metadata fields from your photos, so you're reviewing and editing instead of writing from scratch. Export when you're happy with the results.
The free keyword generator lets you try it on your own images, no account needed.
Frequently asked questions
How many keywords should I use on Getty Images?
Getty allows up to 50, but 25 to 35 well-chosen keywords usually perform better. Focus on relevance over quantity. Irrelevant keywords can get your submission rejected.
Does keyword order matter on Getty?
Yes. Getty gives more weight to keywords listed earlier. Put your most specific and important keywords first.
Can I edit keywords after my image is live on Getty?
Yes. Log into ESP, find the image, and update the metadata. Changes typically take effect within a few hours.
Do Getty and iStock share the same keywords?
Yes. Since both platforms use the same contributor portal (ESP), the metadata you enter applies to both Getty Images and iStock.
Should I use different keywords for editorial vs. creative images?
Yes. Editorial images should include specific details — event names, locations, dates. Creative images benefit from conceptual and mood-based keywords that match how designers search.