Last verified: 26 Oct 2026
Shutterstock Data Licensing
shutterstock.com ↗United StatesFounded 2003Direct buyer
Price anchor $25M to $50M per big-tech deal; contributor share undisclosed
Payout model Contributor fund
Exclusivity Non-exclusive
Minimums contributor account
Price read 26 Oct 2026 at shutterstock.com
Summary
Shutterstock Data Licensing is a direct buyer that takes images, video and audio from creators. It pays from a contributor fund on non-exclusive terms. Data segment ~21% of $990M revenue 2025.
Listed for a published rate and reported payouts.
Facts
| Data types | images, video, audio, 3D models |
|---|---|
| Sells for | creators |
| Buyers named | OpenAI, Meta, Google, Amazon, Apple, Reka, Lightricks |
| Payout model | contributor fund |
| Price anchor | $25M to $50M per big-tech deal; contributor share undisclosed , read 26 Oct 2026 |
| Exclusivity | non-exclusive |
| Minimums | contributor account |
| Referral program | no |
| Funding | Not published |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Status | Active |
Terms published
| Term | Published | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Price anchor | Yes | shutterstock.com, read 26 Oct 2026 |
| Payout model | Yes | shutterstock.com, read 26 Oct 2026 |
| Exclusivity | Yes | shutterstock.com, read 26 Oct 2026 |
| Minimums | Yes | shutterstock.com, read 26 Oct 2026 |
| Named lab customers | Yes | shutterstock.com, read 26 Oct 2026 |
| Payouts in press | Yes | shutterstock.com, read 26 Oct 2026 |
| Referral program | No | Not stated at source |
Sources
- https://www.shutterstock.com/data-licensingread 26 Oct 2026
Listed on
Alternatives
video is highest-paying category; $15M paid to creators
Revenue share or Upfront Non-exclusive
View profile 
content owners get 20 to 30% of deal value; $1 to $2 per image; $100 to $300 per hour of film; partners average $600k revenue
Revenue share Non-exclusive
View profile 
top contributors ~$7k/month; $14 for a walking video; $12M 2-year lab deal
Cash or token Non-exclusive
View profile This entry is written from the sources above. A company whose pricing or scope has changed updates it at the source and sends the links; the listing follows the record.