The surge in Adobe Stock AI Generated images is reshaping the platform, as artificial intelligence-created visuals now make up nearly half of its entire portfolio.
Earlier this month, industry analyst Robert Kneschke revealed that Adobe Stock’s image library contains over 300 million AI-generated images, representing almost 50% of all content. In just three years, AI uploads have caught up with the volume of traditional photos that photographers contributed over two decades.
In May 2023, Adobe Stock had just 8.5 million AI images — about 2.5% of the platform. By April 2025, that figure skyrocketed to 313 million, closely rivaling the 342 million standard photographs. This rapid acceleration highlights the impact of tools like Midjourney and other AI platforms, which have significantly lowered the barrier for image creation.
Image Flood Spurs Upload Restrictions
With Adobe Stock overwhelmed by new submissions, the company has reportedly implemented upload restrictions. According to Kneschke, the approval queue once took only a few days, but now contributors often wait over two months.
Photographers also report an increase in rejection rates. The most frequent explanation? Duplicate or “similar content” already exists in the library. In May 2025, Adobe emailed contributors about the new upload limits, which are based on previous acceptance rates, sales performance, and other criteria.
One long-time contributor voiced frustration on an Adobe forum, saying their acceptance rate plunged from 95% to below 20%. The user stated the same rejection reason — “similar images” — was repeatedly cited.
Kneschke emphasized that in January and February 2025 alone, Adobe accepted over 29 million AI images each month, suggesting traditional creators are being outpaced by algorithmic art.
Adobe Responds to AI Image Surge
Adobe responded to the figures, disputing the claim that nearly half of the platform’s content is AI-generated. A company spokesperson stressed that Adobe is committed to supporting both contributors and customers by curating a high-quality, diverse collection of content.
“Our submission policies are designed to highlight unique and high-impact works,” said the spokesperson. “We want customers to quickly find the most relevant assets while rewarding creators for originality. Our goal is to build a thriving creative ecosystem where standout content shines.”
As the Adobe Stock AI Generated trend continues to rise, creators and the platform alike must adapt to this new landscape — one where algorithms and artistry intersect in a rapidly evolving marketplace.