Stock Images Market Size, Share and Growth Report - Forecast Trends and Outlook (2025-2034)

The global stock images market reached a value of around USD 6.73 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.94% between 2025 and 2034 to reach nearly USD 11.98 Billion by 2034.

Stock images refer to photographs that are licensed for commercial applications. Depending on the photographer and the equipment used, the quality, technicality, and image captured for stock images could vary.

Some of the factors driving the stock images market growth are the rapidly expanding e-learning market and the increasing demand for high-quality Image content for various online platforms. Artificial intelligence (AI) image creation and editing tools are increasingly used for generating footage as well as providing other resources such as templates, footage, and automation to create professional images for a variety of enterprise and personal initiatives.

The global stock images market expansion is being driven by the huge impact of drone technology on the shooting of aerial Images, which has lowered the costs and also made it possible to create aerial shots that were previously practically impossible. Recent innovations include AI-powered search functionalities, expanded collections of 4K and 8K footage, and diverse licensing options catering to various commercial and creative needs.

Key Trends and Developments

Demand for high quality content; increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML); growing focus on inclusivity in media; and the rising popularity of drones drive the stock images market growth

March 2023

Shutterstock: Announced a collaboration with Nvidia to develop an AI-powered 3D model generator, and was working on projects involving AI-generated Stock Images and music with Meta and LG.

May 2022

Shutterstock: Purchased "Pond5", the globally well-known online marketplace for royalty-free and editorial images, from which Netflix, Disney, NBC, BBC, Discovery Channel, and The Wall Street Journal have benefitted.

Demand for high-quality image content

Social media, marketing, advertising, and content creation, are driving the demand for high-definition, 4K, and even 8K stock images

Increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) image creation and editing tools are used for generating footage as well as providing other resources such as templates, footage, and automation to create professional images for a variety of enterprise and personal initiatives.

Growing demand for inclusivity in media

There has been a growing emphasis on diverse and authentic representation in stock image content, reflecting the growing demand for inclusivity and representation in media.

Rising popularity of drones

Drones are gaining popularity as they perfectly execute 3D mapping and surveying sites while capturing pictures to create maps.

Global Stock Images Market Trends

Many platforms, such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, are increasingly focused on visual content, necessitating frequent content publication through advertising and direct posts. The global digital content market is also witnessing significant growth, driven by the increasing popularity of visual platforms, the rise of social commerce, and the growing demand for high-quality digital content.

Table: Breakdown of Content Creators through Follower Count, 2023

Furthermore, the widespread availability of user-friendly platforms has democratised content creation. There are now more than 46 million amateur content creators, increasingly turning to pre-existing content to aid their creative projects and productions.

Market Segmentation

Global Stock Images Industry Report and Forecast 2025-2034 offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Image Source

• Macro Stock
• Micro Stock

Market Breakup by Application

• Commercial
• Editorial

Market by Product Type

• Still Images
• Footage

Market Breakup by Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Micro stock is expected to hold significant market share due to its accessibility and affordability.

Micro stock holds the largest market share as royalty-free stock footage sites are a source of visual material for independent musicians who consider factors such as time, cost, and quality. Artist’s royalty-free stock footage licence and unlimited downloads make it ideal for any musician or band looking for quality Image content. Meanwhile, macro stock images are gaining demand due to substantial consumer preference for exclusivity.

The use of stock images in the commercial sector is significantly rising

The commercial sector holds a significant share of the stock images market due to the rising number of filmmakers, photographers, and drone operators. From 2022 to 2032, the employment of producers and directors is expected to increase by 7%. Editorial stock photos find applications to illustrate editorial content, such as news coverage, essays, and documentaries. Some of the best-selling stock photos include modern ageing, DIY Projects, mental health awareness, time spent in nature, and environmental consciousness and sustainability.

Footages dominate the stock images market share due to the rising demand for visual content on social media

Footages are gaining substantial popularity due to the increasing demand for visual content for social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. There are over 45 million professional and over 162 million amateur content creators in the creator economy in 2024. This further expands the demand for stock images. 67% of the world’s population uses the internet. The market for still images is driven by rising internet penetration, the growing use of smart gadgets, and an inclination towards the use of social media platforms.

Competitive Landscape

Major players in the stock images market are increasing their collaboration, partnership, and research and development activities to gain a competitive edge

Global Stock Images Industry Analysis by Region

North America is anticipated to hold a dominant position in the stock images market. The United States, owing to a strong presence of media, advertising, and technology companies lead the regional market growth. Internet advertising accounts for the majority of ad spend and is the fastest-growing medium in the region.

The Europe stock images market is being driven by the expansion of SMEs. In 2022, the value added of EU-27 SMEs increased by 6.7% in the non-financial business sector (NFBS). Strong demand for stock photos, as a result of more regional promotional efforts, is anticipated to fuel the market growth in the coming years.

Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region holds a significant share in the stock images market, driven by the rapid expansion of the creator economy in China and India. In 2024, India holds the title of the most YouTube users, estimated at 462 million. The total hours of video by Indian channels to YouTube have increased by 40% year over year in 2023 compared to June 2022. China's internet advertising revenue is also expected to significantly surge in the coming years.