I tried flooding Adobe Stock with AI-generated images to see if it could become a profitable side hustle. After uploading 997 images in 90 days, the grand total earned was $33.60. It wasn’t great. Now, with 1,835 images, the earnings have crept up to $128.20. Is it worth the effort? Let’s see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trh-wqJRh0Q

My Earnings Update: Is it Worth It?

Initially, it seems like a resounding “no.” Earning $128.20 for 1,835 images isn’t amazing. That’s not a lot of money for the time invested.

The Upside: Gradual Increase in Earnings

However, there’s a glimmer of hope. My weekly earnings have generally been increasing. Interestingly, some of my highest-paying weeks happened when I wasn’t actively uploading. This suggests the potential for passive income.

Could earnings reach $400-$600 in a year or two without further uploads? It’s possible. If that happens, this experiment might be worthwhile. But most people want to make more than a few hundred dollars.

The 10,000 Image Challenge: My Plan to Push the Limits

To really test the limits, I’m aiming to have 10,000 images in my portfolio by the end of the year. The big hurdle is Adobe Stock’s review time, which can take 6-8 weeks.

I don’t expect massive earnings between now and the end of the year. Most of the income will likely come next year. I plan to document this journey with quarterly updates. So, subscribe to my YouTube channel to follow along!

Cutting Costs: My Strategy for Efficient AI Image Generation

To keep costs down, here’s my plan for generating more images efficiently:

• Midjourney Plan: I’ll subscribe to the Midjourney Standard Plan for a month or two. I’ll generate as many images as possible using both Fast and Relax modes. Then, I’ll cancel the subscription and wait for the images to be approved. The Standard Plan lets you switch to “Relax” mode. Relax mode is slower than fast mode, but you have unlimited generations. The basic plan only allows around 200 fast generations. I expect to create 10,000 images for around $30-$60.
• AI Image Upscaler Plan: I’ll pay $19 for one month of an AI Image Enlarger. I’ll upscale all 10,000 images during that time. I’ll start this when I have around 8,000 images.
• Total Expected Costs: I’m hoping to spend only $50-$80 on Midjourney and the upscaler.

I want to compare this cost to the potential earnings from 10,000 images. In my previous experiment, I didn’t fully account for the costs of Midjourney and the upscaler.

New and Improved: Midjourney v6.1 and Upscaling Tweaks

Midjourney recently released version 6.1. This new version produces better quality and more accurate images. This should lead to more image licenses.

I’m also adjusting my upscaling process. I’m switching to 400x upscaling instead of 200x. Initially, 400x made the images look worse, with too much noise and grain. But now, it seems to make the images sharper and clearer. Hopefully, this will make them more appealing.

Top-Selling Images: What’s Working Right Now

Here are some of my top-selling images so far:

• House with solar panels in Las Vegas ($5.60)
• Korean woman working at a radio station ($4.29)
• Cargo ship sailing the sea ($3.60)

It’s surprising that the image of the Korean woman at a radio station sold well. Maybe there’s money to be made in niches that others aren’t targeting.

I’m seeing some general trends:

• Solar panel images perform well, likely due to the growing solar industry.
• Food and beverage images are also selling well.

For food and beverage images, a good strategy is to focus on:

• Uncommon dishes or beverages
• Unique backdrops or environments

For example, an iced tea glass on a wooden table outside on a sunny day earned $2.87. A similar image earned $2.76. The background and setting seem to be key. Going forward, I’ll focus on unique food and beverage images with interesting settings.

Answering Your Questions: Review Times and Image Sizes

Here are some common questions I’ve received:

How long does Adobe take to review images?

Based on my experience, it typically takes 2-6 weeks. The dashboard usually displays a message saying it can take up to 8 weeks. I haven’t experienced the 6-month review times that some have mentioned.

What image sizes do you recommend?

I was using 5,376 x 3,584 pixels. Adobe recommends at least 2,400 x 1,600 pixels. Higher pixel counts are better for commercial purposes like advertising. That’s another reason I’m switching to 400x upscaling.

Stay Tuned for the 10,000 Image Update!

I’ll post another video update once I have 10,000 images uploaded. Subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss it!

In conclusion, this AI stock image experiment is ongoing and provides valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities of selling AI-generated art online. While initial earnings weren’t impressive, the potential for passive income and the improvements in AI image generation offer hope for future success. With a clear strategy, cost-effective methods, and a focus on market trends, anyone can explore the possibility of making money selling AI images on platforms like Adobe Stock.