How Does The Search Work And How Do I Improve My Result?

That's not bad for a shot uploaded last week and viewed once when Iooked. A bit of advice I had to learn is not to dwell too much on how images get in front of you in a search. Some folks will put in misleading keywords thinking it will help them in the long run.

Thanks Joseph. Are you saying that the number of views an image has is factored in to the search result? So, it is not just keywords?

The search leans heavily towards sellers of images with those search keywords. When you sell your image of the bridge, it will move up closer to the front of the search.

Hi Brent, I should also say welcome. I see this question asked a lot and it always makes me feel sad for the new artist...to see them frustrated after being here a few weeks. None of us know exactly how the search works except that there are a number...I think like twenty something things that move you up in the search here. Others should stop in and say more but The number 1 thing is sales at least that is my understanding.

I felt the same way at some point and then at some other point stopped thinking about it. I reevaluated why I was here and the number one reason was because I like to create art...I always have and always will. Then I looked at the work of those that sell more regularly and see that they have a LOT of work...all of which is of the highest quality. At that point I decided I was in for the long haul...

I realized faa is not an agent and does not do anything to sell my work...that is my responsibility...they will print and deliver what I sell...that is it...they are a POD...and when and if I manage to sell my work it will move up in the search here.

A long answer, mostly because I think your work is good and something about it makes me feel you enjoy it and hate to see you frustrated when you have only just begun. Enjoy what you do and keep doing it...more of it...it takes time and effort. Good luck...enjoy the ride!

Wow, not that I'm expecting to sell anything soon, but that seems to make it very difficult for a newbie like me to even get seen by someone searching for an image. Thanks Joy.

We have been told there are 20 or do factors that weigh in and I would guess views are one of them if for no other reason than bots have to visit from search engines to help find the image.

They won't tell us all the factors because some folks would then try to game the system, but someone will be along in moment to tell you the best way to move up in the search is to sell.

Edit -- I see someone beat me to it. Help people find you. Don't rely on just the search. Look up marketing ideas on the forums

Thanks Val, great advise. I definitely plan on staying and learning from everyone. It's something I really enjoy so I'm glad you can see that. Thanks!

How does the search work.....hmmm.....
Eat a dozen doughnuts for breakfast, then rent a 1965 Buick. Drive it to the corner backwards.
Next ( and this is very important ) go to the nearest grocery store and stock up on toilet paper and 3 lemons.
When your family questions your odd behavior, simply ask them to smell the color 7.
This process should also get your work higher up in the rankings.

Welcome to faa and enjoy your holiday weekend!

Thanks Joseph. Yes, I've been reading a lot of the discussion boards and they all are saying that you need to market yourself outside of FAA. I haven't done much of that as I'm only getting started, but I plan on doing that. Thanks for your help.

to be on page 11 is pretty good. its based on sales and popularity.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Your welcome Brent...like Joseph said don't rely on the search...probably best to stop thinking about it all together and just keep doing what you do...glad you plan on staying!

LOL Marlene. I can definitely do the dozen. The 65' Buick will be hard to find in Australia, I'm pretty good at driving backwards. I was just at Costco and stocked up on TP. My lemon tree will provide the lemons. I can't ask my wife to smell the number 7 because she has lost her sense of smell. So based on all this, I think your suggestion will get me closer than anything else! :-)

Thanks Mike. By the way, I've read most of your blogs and they are great advise. Thanks.

Wow Mike is right page 11 is very good! I remember the first time I searched for my work and after something like 98 pages got tired of looking! Stopped doing that a long time ago...if figured if it shows up good...if not I don't want to know.

Yes Val, I think I will have to not worry about it. Now that I know it is unknowable....

Brent,
In the grand scheme of things, the google search may be far more important.....most of my clients find me there and get redirected here to a specific piece.
Be sure to get your images out there so that a search on google brings in lots of results!

RE: the buick..how about a 2004 Honda?

I'd put in the company who runs that cruise ship, too. Never know when they may search their company name. Put in the body of water as well as Australia. Put in your name, too.

People will find you via search. Help them out anyway you can.

It's an outstanding shot by the way

Eleven is high enough to be seen and sell. Why even worry about the ones that have no bridge. People will browse through until they see what they want.

You have the medium listed as pyrography. That is not helping you its hurting you. Its also in as a search term.There are probably 30 or 40 more single word searches you should be in with that image in but you don't have the keywords in. Plus if you add those words you will be in many more multi-word searches. You can be on page one if you wanted to be by sponsoring the keywords. There is only one person sponsoring that keyword and they have enough images to fill the third row.

Yes, page 11 isn't too bad...people scan through the Search pretty rapidly on the first go 'round. It's good to have an eye-catching thumbnail, but that's not always possible. Write good descriptions including name of place, where it's located, etc. In the image Description area because Google picks up on them. Welcome, Brent, and much good luck on your journey here.

Ignore the page 11 for now..... I will explain in a minute

OK, first things. Welcome to FAA, you he FANTASTIC work.

Yes, the best way to get sales is to market off FAA and get your own customers. That said, it is not how I started selling regularly and still doesn't account for the majority of my sales.

How I started selling might work for you. The Sydney Bridge is a lost cause unless you market it outside FAA OR move up in the search though you may get some on page 11. Same holds true for your flowers and other "mature" subjects. (read saturated markets.) Here is how you may start selling.

No matter how good your images are, you have to get seen in saturated markets. If you do get seen, you STILL have to compete against thousands of other images. Tough to do though it can be done though marketing.

You however have images from far less crowded markets. Your Piha Beach and Lion Rock images are fantastic and you have virtually NO competitors in those subjects. If there is a market for them, they WILL sell. (again, if there is a market.) That will get you selling and probably moving up the search at large.



Welcome to FAA

I have never searched more than a few pages on any search, then went towards the middle, then to the very end. Page 11 hmmmmm.

Best

Thanks Everyone for your suggestions and kind comments. They have been really helpful. I thought I would share with you the response I had from support.

"There are over 25 factors in being found in our search, among them keywords, sales and popularity.

However, more sales come through the Google search so just make sure you have good description and title and that all the work is printable"

So, basically they said what all of you have been saying.

Thanks again for being so kind and helping out a newbie! 😀

You can be page 1 on your own blog where you cultivate your fans. Create interest and sell using your marketing and then FAA fulfills.

Someone randomly searching FAA and stumbling on your image isn't the same as creating a fan organically.