Short answer: no. Shutterstock does not accept AI-generated images from contributors. If you upload one, it is rejected. That's true even though Shutterstock sells AI images made with its own generator.

Here's what the policy says, why it exists, and where you can sell AI work instead.

What Shutterstock's contributor policy says

Shutterstock's contributor help centre is direct about it: AI-generated content is not accepted for submission. Images made with Midjourney, DALL·E/ChatGPT, Stable Diffusion, Firefly or any other text-to-image tool can't go into your portfolio.

Shutterstock gives two reasons:

  • Ownership. You have to be able to prove you own the rights to what you submit. Shutterstock's view is that AI models are built from many artists' work, so the output can't be credited to one person.
  • Fair pay. Shutterstock wants the artists whose work trained AI models to be paid when that happens, not just the person typing the prompt.

So how does Shutterstock sell AI images?

Through its own AI generator, used by Shutterstock customers. That tool was trained on content licensed from Shutterstock, and contributors whose work was part of the training are paid through the Contributor Fund. So contributors earn from AI through that fund, not by uploading AI images.

What about real photos edited with AI tools?

Shutterstock's help pages focus on AI-generated content. If you shot a real photo and used an AI feature on it, such as Generative Fill to remove a small object, read Shutterstock's current content guidelines before submitting, and describe your work honestly when asked. The rules for heavily AI-edited images are the part most likely to change, so check the source rather than a blog post (this one included).

Can you strip the metadata and upload anyway?

Removing an AI image's metadata doesn't change who made it. Uploading AI-generated work to Shutterstock breaks its contributor terms whatever the file says, and puts your account at risk. We don't recommend it.

Metadata removal is useful for stock photographers in a different way: taking location and device details out of real photos before you share them elsewhere. Keep in mind that stock sites use the title, description and keywords you give them, so if you rely on keywords embedded in the file, don't strip those files before uploading.

Where you can sell AI-generated images

Policies differ between agencies and change often, so check each one's contributor rules before uploading:

  • Adobe Stock accepts generative AI content from contributors, as long as it's marked as made with generative AI tools when you submit.
  • Getty Images and iStock do not accept AI-generated content from contributors.
  • Your own site or shop. You set the rules, but be clear with buyers that the work is AI-made.

Frequently asked questions

Does Shutterstock accept AI-generated images?

No. Shutterstock's contributor policy says AI-generated content is not accepted, and submissions are rejected.

Why does Shutterstock sell AI images if contributors can't upload them?

Those come from Shutterstock's own generator, trained on licensed Shutterstock content. Contributors whose work was used are paid through the Contributor Fund.

What is the Shutterstock Contributor Fund?

A payment to contributors whose content was used to train AI models or licensed for AI training. It's how Shutterstock shares AI revenue with the artists behind the training data.

Will Shutterstock know if my image is AI-generated?

Don't build a plan around that. Whether or not it's detected, uploading AI-generated work breaks the contributor terms.

Where can I sell AI art as a stock contributor?

Adobe Stock accepts it when labelled as generative AI. Check each agency's current rules, as they change often.