Will stock sites ban AI art in the future?

Unlikely at this point. Adobe, Shutterstock, and Pond5 have all invested heavily in AI content infrastructure — dedicated labels, separate search filters, contributor guidelines, and legal frameworks. The trend is toward more AI acceptance with better labeling, not less. That said, platforms frequen

How do I label images as AI-generated?

Each platform has its own process: - Adobe Stock: Check the "AI-generated" box during upload. It is mandatory and your content will be rejected without it. - Shutterstock: Select the "AI-generated" content type in the submission form. - Pond5: Include "AI-generated" in the description field and sele

What resolution do stock sites require?

Minimum requirements vary but as a baseline: - Adobe Stock: 4 megapixels minimum (roughly 2000 x 2000) - Shutterstock: 4 megapixels minimum - Pond5: No strict minimum, but higher resolution ranks better - General best practice: Upload at least 4000 x 4000 pixels (16 megapixels) to qualify for premiu

Can I sell the same image on multiple platforms?

Yes, unless you sign an exclusive contributor agreement. Most platforms offer non-exclusive arrangements by default, meaning you can upload the same image to Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, Pond5, and Freepik simultaneously. Wirestock automates this. Some platforms offer higher royalty rates for exclusiv

How long until I see real income?

Define "real income." If you mean your first sale, most contributors see that within 2 to 4 weeks of their first uploads going live. If you mean enough to cover a subscription cost ($30/month for Midjourney), expect 2 to 3 months. If you mean $500 or more per month, plan for 6 to 9 months of consist

Do I need to worry about copyright issues with AI-generated images?

The legal landscape is evolving. As of early 2026, AI-generated images are generally not copyrightable in the United States — meaning you do not own exclusive copyright but you can still sell them as stock images. The stock platforms handle licensing on their end. Using tools like Adobe Firefly, whi

Is this actually passive income?

It is semi-passive. The initial work — generating, upscaling, writing metadata, uploading — requires active effort. But once an image is live on a stock platform, it can sell for years without any additional work from you. The ongoing effort is adding new images to grow your portfolio. Most establis

How I Make $2,800/Month Uploading AI Art to Stock Sites (With No Design Skills)

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