Shutterstock Keyword Generator

PhotoTager is an AI keyword generator for Shutterstock contributors. It writes a concise description that fits Shutterstock's 150-character limit and a relevant keyword list between Shutterstock's minimum of 7 and maximum of 50, using your own shoot notes for context, and exports it as a CSV for bulk submission.

Try it with $2 of free credits See pricing

Shutterstock metadata requirements

Keywords	Minimum 7, maximum 50 per file
Description	Up to 150 characters (this field also works as the title)
Categories	One category required, a second is optional
Submission window	Uploaded content must be submitted within 21 days

Last checked: October 2026. Agencies update their rules, so confirm against the official guidelines: Shutterstock Contributor help: preparing your content for submission.

How PhotoTager handles Shutterstock

Descriptions sized for Shutterstock

Template length controls keep descriptions short, literal and inside the 150-character field.

Relevant keywords, not padding

Keywords are generated from the image and your context note, scored for relevance, de-duplicated and capped at 50.

Batch processing

Process a whole shoot at once: organize files into projects inside a batch and each project's note is applied to its files.

CSV export

Export a CSV formatted for Shutterstock and upload it to apply descriptions and keywords in bulk.

From upload to Shutterstock in four steps

Upload your photos or videos (jpg, png, webp, mp4, mov and more) into a project.
Add context: one line on who, what, where and when, for example “Diverse group of women having a bridal shower”.
Generate titles, descriptions and keywords for the whole project, then review and bulk-edit.
Export the Shutterstock CSV and upload it with your files.

Why context matters

Without context: “Diverse Group of Women Conversing at an Indoor Festive Event with Balloons and Floral Decor”

With the note above: “Diverse Women Sharing Laughter and Joy During Bridal Shower Gathering”

Tips for better Shutterstock metadata

Aim for 25 to 30 accurate keywords; irrelevant keywords can hurt your search ranking.
Lead the description with the main subject and action.
Pick categories during submission; they are not part of the AI output.

Frequently asked questions

How many keywords does Shutterstock require?

Shutterstock requires at least 7 keywords and allows up to 50 per file.

What is the Shutterstock description limit?

The Shutterstock description field has a 150-character limit. It is the main text buyers see, so keep it literal and specific.

Does PhotoTager work with Shutterstock CSV upload?

Yes. PhotoTager exports a CSV formatted for Shutterstock so you can apply descriptions and keywords to many files at once.

How much does it cost?

Full metadata (title, description and keywords) costs $0.04 per image and $0.12 per video. There is no subscription, and new accounts get $2 of free credits.

Spend more time shooting, less time tagging

Pay-as-you-go: full metadata from $0.04 per image, no subscription, credits never expire.

Start free

Also for: Adobe Stock · iStock & Getty Images · Alamy · Compare all agencies