As part of its promotional strategy, Getty Images-owned iStockphoto is offering a selection of free images through Google Blogger, a leading blogging platform that boasts millions of bloggers.
Blogger offers its users a design tool, which provides base site templates. A selection from iStock images is now accessible from within the Blogger Template Designer. According to iStock, the move puts the brand in front of new types of users, many of whom have not used microstock before.
iStock contributors whose photos are included in this collection are not paid directly for the use, said the company, in exchange for broader exposure: all uses are automatically accompanied with artist attribution and a link back to iStock from the blog that uses the image. Contributors have the option to opt out of promotional programs like the Blogger partnership, but according to iStock, most photographers choose to participate because they feel these partnerships bring notable traffic and attract new buyers to iStock.