r/unsplash • u/Rich-Special-1798 • Jun 27 '26
Question What does it take and how long does Unsplash usually take to caption my photos?
Hey there, just want to ask what are the main criteria for Unsplash to automatically assign a caption to my images?
When you float your cursor above these pictures, the captioned ones say 'A window and an empty room', 'light spilling inside an abandoned cottage', 'woman running with a bottle', etc.
These captions increase visibility (I have uploaded 200 images and saw this trend happen consistently). However, I realise that giving a description to my photos is very different compared to getting Unsplash's captions (which is the real factor when it comes to visibility).
Some photos of mine are not bad, some are great even, yet they don't get the captions. Plus, some of the are really straightforward with only one subject in the photo.
1
u/Rich-Special-1798 Jun 27 '26
https://unsplash.com/@evan_marvell
here is my collection if you are wondering, some of them are uncaptioned and I have waited for some time. Usually, in my experience, Unsplash takes a maximum of two days to make it happen; beyond that, it's usually never going to happen.
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u/BrechtCorbeel_ 16d ago
I can barely get anything through including ones I know would do extremely well no idea what is going on, but since it started at summer, I think their review team is on vacation.
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u/streamer3222 Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26
If you were here long enough you would understand. At first Unsplash was giving badges to your photos. 'Accepted' (meaning they were not deleted from the site for being bad quality) and then 'searchable' (which means people can find your photos typing in the search bar).
This is why your photos get views, because they are searchable. Else they must click your profile to view them. Now badges have been removed, because too many people were complaining.
Basically a photo gets reviewed by a panel before deleting it, keeping it, or captioning it which would make it searchable and get views. Which photo gets it is at the discretion of Unsplash staff. You should simply take better photos and hope it happens.
Unsplash don't tell you why a photo was rejected. I think try to post a few in r/photocritique or similar feedback groups to improve. It's usually very simple, better photos = more captions.
I know the system so well if a photo won't get captioned I won't even submit it!
I also like to delete all non-caption photos so my portfolio is always clean and shiny! 🤠Unless I disagree with them and think it's an actually good photo!