Creator and digital products simulator

iStock work simulator

Play a few minutes as a new iStock seller. Every fee, payout delay and sign-up rule comes from iStock’s real data where we have it, and everything else is labelled.

  • You keep 15%
  • Paid after 30 d (assumed)
  • 3–6 minutes
How this simulation works

Each game is one of ten templates for a kind of work, filled with this platform’s real data where we have it. Anything we don’t know is either the typical value for its platform type or a plain assumption, and is labelled so below. Demand, job volume and luck are simulated.

WhatValueSource
Platform cutYou receive 15% at first (up to 45% on higher tiers) of what buyers pay.You keep 15%Platform data
Days before money can be withdrawnTypical for this kind of work.30 dAssumed
Minimum payoutThe game treats it as no minimum.Not statedAssumed
Buyer or advertiser pays per download$1Assumed
Downloads per piece of work per month at the startMost pieces earn little; a rare one takes off.6Assumed
Chance a new piece becomes a hit (x10)4%Assumed
Real-world benchmark (for comparison only)Shutterstock entry-level royalties are 10 cents or 15% per download—Typical for type

A simplified simulation based on iStock’s published rules, for learning only. It is not an earnings promise: real results depend on your skills, location, demand and iStock’s current rules.