Shutterstock has finally released an official WordPress plugin. Although this stock photo agency is as old as WordPress itself, this is the first time we get access to its royalty-free library directly from inside the WP admin.
Some might remember that Shutterstock already released a plugin developed by another company. However, the plugin was only meant for affiliates, and thus never gained any meaningful recognition.
The new plugin was designed by Shutterstock and can be now downloaded either directly from Shutterstock.com or WordPress plugin library.
WordPress site owners can use this block-based plugin to search and preview images on posts and pages. Additionally, you can also license, download, and post images and editorial content without ever leaving the WordPress editor.
After a successful upload and activation of the plugin, you can find its options by going to Settings > Shutterstock. Doing so opens a one-page settings panel, where you can log in with your Shutterstock account, and add API Key and Secrets.
An important option allows you to choose the country you’re editing for so that Shutterstock can show only editorial content available for distribution in that country.
For those of you who have several other colleagues working on your website, you can assign different search and license assets to specific roles.
How to create a new Shutterstock API
Create a new app or edit an existing one.
Add all details.
Save the app.
Copy API Key and Secret to the plugin and log in.
You’re all set.
To create access Shutterstock library from within the plugin, you need to create an API first, by creating an application here: https://www.shutterstock.com/account/developers/apps
Let’s look at what it looks like from within the WordPress editor. I use Gutenberg so I can add a new block by typing “/Shutterstock”. This creates a new block with only one option, “Browse”.
Compatibility
Currently, the plugin is at version 1.2.2 and is compatible with WordPress 5.6 and PHP version of 7.1 or higher. For now, here are less than ten active installations, according to wordpress.org/plugins.
How to Add Shutterstock Plugin to WordPress
- Log in to WordPress with the Administrator role.
- Click Plugins > Add New.
- Search for the Shutterstock plugin, click Install Now, and then click Activate.
- Go to Settings > Shutterstock.
- Input your API Key and Secret into their respective fields.
- Click Log in with Shutterstock and log in.
- In the Editorial Country field, enter the three-character country code for editorial content, such as USA or DEU.
- In the User Settings table, select which WordPress roles have access to search and license media.
- Click Save Changes.
How to add media to pages and posts
Now that you have the Shutterstock plugin installed and configured, you can use it to add Shutterstock media to your pages and posts.
To add media, click on Browse, find the image you want, and click Live Preview. Doing so, adds a watermarked image to your post, as you can see in my example below (Credit: Shutterstock).
In addition to WordPress, Shutterstock also promised an integration within WordPress VIP, a hosting service used by giants such as Spotify or Facebook.
Check also:
- Shutterstock review
- Shutterstock vs Adobe Stock
- 7 Cheapest Stock Photo Sites
- 15 Best Stock Photo Sites
- 26 Free Stock Photo Sites
About your guide
Matic Broz is a multifaceted creative professional, with experience as a photographer, graphic designer, and business owner. He has a decade of experience in helping other creatives improve their craft and start their own businesses. His writing and research have been featured in notable publications such as The Guardian, PetaPixel, and USA Today. Additionally, his scientific research has been recognized with a cover feature in the prestigious MDPI-owned journal. In his leisure time, he enjoys photography, hiking, and spending time with dogs. Read more
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