5 Steps to Start Selling Editorial Content on Stock Platforms

Editorial content demands accurate captions, metadata, location, date & subject. In this guide, discover 5 steps to start selling editorial stock images on major platforms with AI tools.

Editorial content refers to images used for news, educational, or documentary purposes, but not for commercial or promotional use. However, the definition of "editorial" may vary slightly depending on the specific stock agency.

This type of content reflects real life — real people, real events, real places, and branded elements — and does not require model or property releases.

Key characteristics:

• Reflects reality: Scenes must be natural and not staged or artificially composed.

• Brands and logos are allowed: They must not be removed or retouched.

• Used for non-commercial purposes only: Suitable for use in articles, blogs, news reports, but not in advertising or marketing materials.

• Requires accurate captions and metadata: Including location, date, and the main subject is mandatory.

Examples of editorial conten:

5 Steps to Start Selling Editorial Content on Stock Platforms

• Know what editorial content is
  These are real-life photos — people, places, logos, everyday scenes. They’re great for news articles, blogs, or anything informative, but not for ads or commercial use.

• Use your phone or camera
  A good smartphone is enough, as long as the photo is sharp, well-lit, and not blurry. Try to shoot in landscape mode and avoid dark or noisy lighting.

• Go out and take photos from different angles
  Snap storefronts, busy streets, people, logos, transportation, or little daily moments. Take wide shots, medium shots, and close-ups — the more variety, the better.

• Sign up on stock websites
  Create an account on platforms that accept editorial images:
  ✔ Adobe Stock – easy to use and fast approval
  ✔ Shutterstock – lots of traffic
  ✔ Alamy – perfect for more documentary-style photos
  Each site has its own rules, so check their editorial guidelines before uploading.

• Upload and add titles + keywords
  When uploading, make sure to mark the file as “Editorial.” In the description, write clearly what’s happening, where it is, and when it was taken. The better your metadata, the higher your chances of making sales.

And here’s my recent sale of editorial content on Adobe Stock — a bottle of excellent Rémy Martin cognac!

But if alcohol isn’t your thing, here are a few more sales: a scooter (sold on Shutterstock), a shopping cart in a mall, and a souvenir magnet from the city of Alicante (Adobestock sales):