Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of services we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Photo Sharing Services.

Ratings

Feature Set

We ranked each photo sharing service according to the number and quality of practical services they offer to help you post, share and print your photos and more.

Ease of Use of the Service

Like any Internet–based service, photo sharing sites should be user–friendly so anyone will feel comfortable using the service regardless of their knowledge of computers or of the web.

Help/Support

We considered if the photo sharing service provides adequate help and support in the form of a FAQs page, tutorials and a number of ways to contact customer service like email, web forms and phone.

Features

Pro, Premium or Upgraded Account

Many services offer upgraded, pro or premium accounts that offer more benefits to members. Some of additional benefits include unlimited storage, photosets and bandwidth and larger monthly upload limits.

Free Account or Free Trial

These online photo albums offer a free account or a free trial so you can try the service before purchasing a membership. Most free trials are for a set number of days or have limitations on storage space or the numbers of photos you can upload. A free trial is an excellent way to "test the waters" before committing to a service.

Safe Filter

The service has a filter for objectionable images that may be offensive. Most filters can be turned on or off.

Spam Filter

The service offers a spam filter that will automatically detect incoming spam to your mailbox. This mail is typically moved to a spam folder for deletion. Many of these filters have several sensitivity levels.

Create Your own Web Page

An easy way to share your profile and your photos with friends and family is through your own webpage—this service allows you to have your own web address.

Batch Photo Uploading

You can upload multiple photos at a time to this photo hosting service.

Single Photo Uploading

You can upload one photo at a time to the photo sharing service’s website.

Viewer Comment Posting per Photo

You can allow other members who view your photos to leave comments on each photo.

Control Public Viewing

This feature allows you to control who can view your photos.

Communities

People from around the world can share their photos with others by adding a specific tag name like landscape, patriotic or beach. The service organizes these photos by category for convenient viewing.

Create Photosets

Photosets are online digital photo albums. You can group certain photos together, add a title like "Our Mexican Riviera Trip" and control who has access to them.

Form Private Groups

You can form groups or join preexisting groups that have a particular interest like weddings, antique cars, rock climbing, ATVs and so forth.

Most Commented Photos Section

This section on the service’s website has the photos with the most posted comments.

Most Popular Photos Section

You can view the most popular photos, according to other members, in this section.

Most Recent Photos Section

The photo sharing service posts the most recent uploaded photos in a section.

Most Visited Members Section

In this section, you can view the most visited photos taken by members.

Tags or Keywords

The members of the site can leave notes, keywords or tags on the uploaded photos making them easier to find.

Weblog, Blog, or Online Journal

These are dated sequences of written entries. Unlike a hardcopy diary, an online journal, blog or weblog can include links to your favorite websites, photos, graphics and even animation. These can be public or private.

File a Complaint

All cases of copyright infringement, unauthorized use of photos, offensive or abusive content or any use of resources in a manner violating the "Terms of Service" agreement and any law or may otherwise deem inappropriate can be reported directly to the service administration via the "File a Complaint" form. Each case will be investigated and an attempt to resolve the conflict will be made.

Invite History

Some services will provide basic statistics for their members. Some of these stats may include general account statistics, album statistics, visitors, hits and more.

Photo Printing Service

You can order prints of your photos directly through the service

Pro or Premium Account Features

AD-Free Browsing and Sharing

Most pay accounts offer an ad–free environment when browsing and sharing. If the service offers a free account, there will usually be pop up ads or banners generating the revenue.

Photo Storage Space

Each member of the service has an allocated amount of storage space available for his or her photos. Often Pro or Premium accounts have an unlimited amount of space; however, most free accounts have a limited amount of storage space.

Video Clips

The service will allow you to upload video that can be stored and viewed on their website.

Email Space

Each member of the service has an allocated amount of storage space available for his or her emails. Pro or Premium accounts have substantially more space than a free account.

Co-Branding

The service provides the means for you to create, customize and maintain your own web site. You can apply your own design, logo and color scheme. This is particularly useful when you have your own personal or business website.

Photo Selling

The service allows members to sell their photos at their own prices. Members can set custom prices for a particular album, folder or for the entire account.

Larger Photo-View Sizes

Pro or premium accounts, which have unlimited storage space, usually also allow you to view larger photos which require extra space.

Photo Contests

The service will occasionally hold contests and offer rewards for the best photos taken by members.

Free Account Features

Photo Contests

The service will occasionally hold contests and offer rewards for the best photos taken by members.

Photo Settings

Uploading Tools

You can install these tools on your computer to upload photo batches.

Uploading by Email

You can email your pictures directly into your photostream for quick upload.

Uploading from Camera Phone

You can upload photos directly from your camera phone to your account.

Photo Licensing

The service allows you to associate a Creative Commons license to each of your photos.

Personal Information

Profile

You can add a personal profile to your account to share something about you with other members.

Buddy Icon

You can create an icon image that represents you on–screen.

Screen Name

A name that represents you on–screen.

Email Address

Your primary email address.

Password Protected

You can setup your account so it requires a password.

Technical Support:

Phone Support

The service offers a phone number so you can contact customer support with any questions.

FAQ

You can find the answers for common questions on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Tutorials

The service offers online tutorials that will help you learn to upload and download photos and use other features of the service.

User Forum

There is an area where you can discuss online photo sharing, photography and other related topics with other members.

Email Address

You can email customer support with any questions or comments you have.

Contact Form

You can contact customer support via an online form.

Table of Contents

The website displays a table of contents making it easier to find the information you need.

Email Newsletters

You can sign up for a newsletter. Newsletters are usually emailed weekly or monthly and contain valuable information pertaining to online photo sharing and photography.

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