Brandwave

Getty Images vs Shutterstock:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Shutterstock had more branded searches than Getty Images among stock photo libraries in New Zealand. Shutterstock had about 3,160 branded searches, while Getty Images had 1,200. Shutterstock made up 14% of all stock photo library searches we track, and Getty Images accounted for 5.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about stock photo libraries, Shutterstock appeared in four of the five answers and Getty Images in one. Shutterstock was mentioned before Getty Images in every answer that named either.

Among stock photo libraries in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Shutterstock, about 3 searches for every 1 for Getty Images

Shutterstock 3.2K searchesGetty Images 1.2K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Shutterstock, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Getty Images in 1

Shutterstock in 4 of 5Getty Images in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Shutterstock, named ahead of Getty Images in 4 of 4 answers

Shutterstock first in 4Getty Images never first

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Top stock photo libraries in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Shutterstock was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Getty Images was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Shutterstock was listed before Getty Images in every answer that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Unsplash1st
  2. One Shot2nd
  3. Adobe Stock3rd
  4. Shutterstock4th
  5. iStock5th
  6. Getty Images6th
  7. Alamy–
  8. 123RF–
  9. Depositphotos–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Unsplash5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Adobe Stock4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Shutterstock4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • One Shot3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • iStock2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Getty Images1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Alamy0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • 123RF0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Depositphotos0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about stock photo libraries

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Getty Images or Shutterstock more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Getty Images and Shutterstock by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine stock photo libraries we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Getty Images and Shutterstock among stock photo libraries in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Shutterstock, Getty Images. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthUnsplashAdobe StockShutterstockiStockGetty ImagesOne ShotAlamy123RFDepositphotos
Oct 202533.3%33%15.4%8.6%4.9%1.6%1.7%1.3%0.3%
Nov 202529.3%35.3%16.6%9.4%4%2.1%1.5%1.4%0.39%
Dec 202528.8%34.4%16.5%9.4%4.9%2.5%1.6%1.4%0.47%
Jan 202631.9%31.5%15.2%8.9%6.4%2.3%1.9%1.5%0.43%
Feb 202632.3%31.9%14.9%10.9%5.3%1.5%1.5%1.3%0.31%
Mar 202632.3%32%14.9%11.3%4.5%1.5%2.1%1%0.32%
Apr 202634.2%34%12.8%9.5%4.5%2%1.9%0.71%0.37%
May 202636.8%29.8%14%10.3%3.9%2.6%1.6%0.62%0.33%
Jun 202636.8%29.8%14.1%9.9%4.1%2.2%1.6%1.2%0.33%
Jul 202637.1%29.5%13.9%9.3%4.7%2.1%2%1.2%0.22%
Aug 202641.5%27.3%12.6%8.5%4.6%2%1.8%1.3%0.33%
Sep 202636.3%29.3%14%9.2%5.3%2.1%2%1.4%0.31%

How has the Getty Images and Shutterstock comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand stock photo libraries in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Shutterstock gained share of searches among stock photo libraries in New Zealand, from 12.6% to 14%.

  2. In September 2026, Getty Images gained share of searches among stock photo libraries in New Zealand, from 4.6% to 5.3%.

How are branded searches counted?

6 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Getty Images’ and Shutterstock’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Getty Images

3 branded search terms

  • getty
  • getty esp
  • gettyimages sports

Shutterstock

3 branded search terms

  • shutterstock
  • shutterstock contributor
  • shutterstock photos

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among stock photo libraries

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