Reasons for rejection - Photos – Freepik Support

Artifacts originate after saving images as JPEG as compression makes the image lose quality. For this reason, when saving your file as JPEG, we recommend compressing it as little as possible.

2. Send as .psd file

We consider it more useful as a .psd. In this case, you just have to upload the .psd file together with its corresponding preview so that it can be reviewed and selected. Once submitted, our team will review your content to determine if it meets the requirements for publication.

3. Send as vector (.eps)

We consider it more useful as a vector. In this case, you just have to upload the .eps file together with its corresponding preview so that it can be reviewed and selected as a vector. Once submitted, our team will review your content to determine if it meets the requirements for publication.

4. Invalid file

It refers to files that, once uploaded, present loading or display errors.

5. Old-fashioned

Images that do not follow the current aesthetic trends.

6. Outdated

This rejection reason refers to images that are not valid at the time you send them. We will only accept holiday-related resources that have already passed when the photo does not include a specific date that reveals its obsolescence.

However, we highly suggest you send images in advance (two months is the ideal timing) so that users can retrieve your resources and, thus, you can obtain higher profitability.

7. Do not include attribution

Make sure your images do not contain any signature, watermark, or any other mark that identifies the author of the photograph. Also, signatures or comments related to Freepik (for example, "designed by Freepik" or "selected by Freepik") will not be accepted.

8. Language wrongly used

The language used is not allowed. Please note that we only accept text properly written in English. Make sure the text has no mistakes, is related to the resource and is correctly integrated into the image that comprises it. Also, ensure it does not conflict with our ethical policies, except for relevant specific festivities, where a brief text in the local language is accepted.

9. Spelling & Grammar

If your images include text with spelling and grammar errors, they will be rejected. Please, make sure you proofread the text before submitting the image.

10. Typography

The typography is not consistent with the resource. Your files may be rejected due to the following issues:

Functionality: the font you used is not visually appealing nor harmonious. Please, bear in mind that fonts must be legible and consistent with the style of the resource.
Composition: the text composition is poor. Make sure the text box is properly aligned regarding the column’s width and the font’s weight.
Characters set: the typography must contain at least the characters that you are working with and these must be correctly used (punctuation, symbols, mathematical signs, and diacritics).

Lettering: if you include lettering in your image, pay attention to the overall composition and make sure that the characters’ shapes are consistent with the final composition. Also, ensure that the typography is outlined; otherwise, the lettering will be lost after downloading the resource.

11. Lack of coherence

Elements: the photo’s elements lack coherence and are inconsistent, which affects the photo’s quality.
Models and contexts: some expressions and actions have no relation to the photo’s context. We will also reject images taken out of context affecting the content usability.

12. Ethical policies

Images or messages that encourage inappropriate behavior or that may, in some way, offend or affect the user’s feelings.

We do not accept politically offensive images or photos that can be used for malicious purposes. For example, graffiti claiming racism.
We do not accept images promoting the explicit consumption of drugs.
We do not accept images that explicitly promote violence.
We do not accept images that contain nudity or are sexually explicit. Images with an objectifying purpose or a clear sexual intent will be rejected.

13. Trademark / Copyright

We accept images that have been edited to remove the brand (for example, removing the apple of Apple products, or the stripes in the case of Adidas, etc.).

If you include designs with copyright in your images, we will reject them. Some examples of copyrighted designs are the Coca-Cola bottle, the Absolut bottle, the round button of Apple, etc.

Images of copyrighted architectural works will be accepted as long as they are not the central element of the composition.

Likewise, images including artworks (graffiti, sculptures, etc.) will be accepted as long as they are not the composition's main element.

We will not accept or publish zoo animals or images with recognizable people who have not given their consent.

14. Plagiarism

All artwork you send must be original and of your own. Thus, if you send us plagiarized resources, they will be rejected. Right after detecting that your content infringes copyright, your contributor account will be blocked permanently.

Reuse of elements: Including in your content elements from other authors, however minimal, is also considered plagiarism. We do not accept photographs containing elements (photos, vectors, and PSD files) already published by Freepik or by other contributors. We will also reject content that reuses CC0 resources.
Inspiration: We will also consider plagiarism the recreation of photographs inspired by other authors’ photoshoots.
Shared photo sessions: this refers to photographers sharing the same photo session and, thus, the same models, places, and setups. Photos resulting from these shared sessions are likely to be considered plagiarism.

Although you share resources with other contributors, you should submit original content different from the rest; otherwise, we may block your account.

15. Duplicate

This reason refers to duplicated or repeated photographs, meaning that we will not accept images that have been already sent, whether they are published or not.

Please note: repeatedly sending the same resources does not increase the chances of publication.

16. Similar submissions

If you send images with minimal differences between them, they will be considered similar submissions and, thus, rejected by our review team.

There are different cases in which your content can be rejected due to similarity to other resources. For instance, images within the same photo session sharing very similar features will not be accepted. Apart from this, we also consider similar submissions those photos that resemble in composition, framing, motives, or elements to other resources previously submitted by the same author.

Avoid using multiple copies with post-editing effects to add variation. We only accept a few copies of the same image with a different post-processing effect each time. If you send us multiple post-edited copies of the same photo, we will reject them. The limit of edited copies will depend on the quality and commercial value of the image. Please note that your resources can be rejected due to other technical reasons.
If your resources are rejected due to similar submissions on several occasions, we recommend paying particular attention to the editing process. Before submitting your photos, review the files and make sure that they are properly focused, that the framing is fine, or correct unwanted aberration or levels if necessary. Select and send your best resources; it will help you reduce the number of rejected files and enhance your portfolio.

17. Multi-image photo

It refers to a file made of multiple photos that does not comply with the minimum technical requirements nor with the basic rules of composition. We recommend you send the photos individually.

18. Editing

Excessively editing an image can greatly diminish the quality of the photograph:

Oversaturation of colors
Inappropriate use of blacks and whites
Digital editing poorly executed
Photographs with an aggressive filter that can limit their later usage.

Bear in mind that editing effects contribute to enhancing the photo, but they must not be the main element of the resource.

19. Noise

It is a visual distortion caused by a high ISO setting. The correct ISO setting to avoid noise is different in each camera, however, noisy photos will not be accepted in any case.

20. Shutter speed

It refers to “blurred” images, presenting focus and sharpness issues as a result of using a slow shutter speed.

21. Dutch angle

We do not accept photos where the camera angle is unintentionally slanted to one side and it is founded on no aesthetic purpose. It applies to both vertical and horizontal rotation.

22. Inadequate Lighting

Underexposure. Images with poor lighting that does not allow the main elements to be seen clearly.
Overexposure. Images with "burned" or white areas.
Inadequate lighting. It refers to images with unfavorable lighting conditions that cause too high contrast or flat compositions.

23. Focus

Photos must be correctly focused. They can present a justified selective focus on a concrete part of the photograph, but they cannot be entirely out of focus, except for specific cases. An example of it is the so-called “blurred” backgrounds.

24. Composition

The photo does not comply with the basic composition rules. For an image to have good composition, all elements must be put together coherently. Ensure you use proper framing, apply the Rule of Thirds correctly, and place elements in a harmonic and appealing way.

We will reject images with a poor arrangement of elements or with an unbalanced composition.

We do not accept different framings or cropped versions of the same image.

25. Quality Standards

For content to be accepted, it must meet the aesthetic, technical, and commercial standards established by the company.

Aesthetic standards: if we determine your images do not conform to our overall general aesthetic quality standards, we will not accept them. Images containing inappropriate or unpleasant elements will also be rejected. Portraits with inappropriate facial expressions or incoherent actions will be discarded.
Technical standards: If your images present technical issues, they will be rejected. By technical issues, we refer to photos taken with inadequate equipment or images containing unwanted spots due to dust in lenses or sensor. We will also reject your images if the file or the format is damaged or incorrect.
Commercial value: We determine the commercial appeal of a specific file taking into account the downloads and profitability data collected throughout time. Therefore, your image will be rejected if we consider it will not reach the minimum number of downloads to be profitable.

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Reasons for rejection - Photos

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