Problem · All agencies

“My keywords disappeared after upload.” Metadata inside the file vs the CSV

You wrote the title and keywords, saved them into the photo, and the agency shows empty fields. The metadata inside the file and the CSV are two different routes, and agencies treat them differently.

Short answer

Either the metadata was removed from the file, or the agency does not read it. Alamy says it reads caption and keywords from IPTC. Adobe Stock reads an embedded title and suggests keywords only when the file has none. For Shutterstock and iStock & Getty Images (ESP) we could not confirm it, so upload the agency’s CSV and test one file first.

Why it happens

01 The file lost its metadata Exporting or resaving a photo, and some converters and apps, can strip the metadata. If the file no longer holds it, the agency has nothing to read.
02 Titles, descriptions and keywords are different fields The title is IPTC Object Name or XMP dc:title. The description is IPTC Caption-Abstract or XMP dc:description. Keywords are IPTC Keywords or XMP dc:subject. A tool that fills one field leaves the others empty.
03 IPTC and XMP disagree A file can hold the same field twice, once as IPTC and once as XMP. Contributors have reported that Adobe Stock showed the XMP keywords when the two differed. This is a forum report, not something Adobe documents.
04 The agency works from its form or CSV Not every agency says it reads embedded metadata. Where it does not, the web form or the agency’s CSV is the route that works.

Do the agencies read metadata inside the file?

WhatReads embedded metadata?What to upload
AlamyYes, according to Alamy: caption, keywords and date taken are read from IPTC on uploadThe file with metadata written in (the ZIP with metadata) is enough
Adobe StockTitle: yes, according to Adobe. Keywords: Adobe says it suggests keywords only when the file has no embedded metadata. Which IPTC or XMP field it reads is not in Adobe’s docs.The file with metadata, or Adobe’s CSV. Check the portal after upload.
ShutterstockNot confirmed. Shutterstock’s help pages do not mention embedded metadata.Upload Shutterstock’s CSV, and test one file first
iStock & Getty Images (ESP)Not confirmed. We found no official page either way.Upload the ESP CSV, and test one file first

How PhotoTager helps

  1. 1
    The ZIP writes your metadata into the files“Photos with metadata (ZIP)” writes the title, description and keywords into both IPTC and XMP for JPEG and TIFF, so the two match. PNG, WebP and GIF files get XMP only. PhotoTager does not write EXIF fields.
  2. 2
    Your originals are not changedFiles in the ZIP are named like name_metadata.jpg, so unzipping next to your originals never overwrites them.
  3. 3
    A CSV for each agency is the other routeExport the CSV for Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, iStock & Getty Images or Alamy, and the agency gets the values from the CSV, not from the file. In Privacy mode there is no ZIP, because we never had your original, so you use the CSV.
  4. 4
    Check what a file really holdsThe free metadata checker reads the title, description and keywords embedded in your files, in your browser, before you upload.

See what your files really hold, free

Drop your photos into the checker to read the title and keywords embedded in them. No signup.

Check the metadata in your filesAlamy keyword generator

Questions

How do I know if my file still has its keywords?

Drop it into the free metadata checker. It reads the title, description and keywords embedded in the file, in your browser, and shows what is there.

Which is safer, embedded metadata or a CSV?

For Shutterstock and iStock & Getty Images (ESP) use the CSV, because we could not confirm they read embedded metadata. For Alamy and Adobe Stock the file works, but check the first upload.

Why does Adobe Stock show different keywords from mine?

Contributors have reported that Adobe Stock showed the XMP keywords when IPTC and XMP differed. PhotoTager writes the same values to both, so they match.

Does PhotoTager change my original files?

No. The ZIP holds copies named like name_metadata.jpg. Your originals stay as they are.

Can I get a ZIP in Privacy mode?

No. Privacy mode uploads only a 512-pixel preview, so there is no original to write into. Use the CSV.