Storyblocks.com Review

Based on looking at the Storyblocks.com website, it presents itself as a comprehensive platform offering stock media assets for video creators.

The site aims to streamline the video production process by providing unlimited downloads of various assets, including footage, video templates, motion backgrounds, audio, and images.

While the value proposition of saving time and creating more content might appeal to many, it’s crucial to assess the nature of the content offered, especially concerning the ethical and moral considerations that are paramount.

The focus on “video templates,” “podcast,” and “sound effects” raises significant concerns within an ethical framework that discourages entertainment, podcast, and the creation of content that might lead to immoral behavior or distract from permissible activities.

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• Purpose: Provides stock media assets for video creation.
• Core Offerings: Footage, video templates, motion backgrounds, audio podcast and sound effects, and images.
• Subscription Model: Advertises “unlimited downloads” with “industry-leading licensing.”
• Ethical Concerns: The prominent inclusion of “Podcast,” “Movies,” and “Entertainment” related content video, sound effects for entertainment is a major concern. Such elements are generally discouraged due to their potential to lead to frivolous pursuits, distract from beneficial activities, or even promote content that goes against established ethical guidelines. The platform’s primary utility appears to be deeply intertwined with these questionable categories.
• Recommendation: Due to its direct involvement in providing elements for podcast, entertainment, and potentially even movie creation, Storyblocks.com cannot be recommended from a strict ethical standpoint. The platform’s offerings are too closely tied to activities that are generally considered impermissible or at least discouraged, as they often foster heedlessness and may lead to engaging with content that is not beneficial.

For those seeking creative assets, it’s essential to pivot towards resources that align with ethical principles.

This means focusing on tools and content that support productive, educational, or genuinely beneficial endeavors, steering clear of anything that might promote entertainment, podcast, or visual media that is devoid of true purpose or could lead to moral compromise.

Here are some alternatives for creative assets that align with permissible activities, focusing on practical, non-entertainment uses:

• Unsplash: Offers a vast library of high-resolution stock photos for free, often used for educational content, presentations, or business websites, without the problematic elements of podcast or extensive video templates for entertainment.
  • Key Features: High-quality, free-to-use photos. diverse categories. vibrant community of photographers.
  • Average Price: Free.
  • Pros: Excellent quality. broad selection. easy to use. permissible for various ethical applications.
  • Cons: Primarily photos, limited video/audio options. attribution often appreciated but not always required.
• Pexels: Similar to Unsplash, providing free stock photos and videos. The video content here is generally short clips suitable for practical uses like presentations or informational content, rather than entertainment-focused productions.
  • Key Features: Free stock photos and videos. good search functionality. regularly updated library.
  • Pros: High quality. wide range of topics. useful for non-entertainment video needs.
  • Cons: Video library smaller than dedicated platforms. content can be generic.
• Pixabay: Offers free images, videos, podcast, and sound effects. While it has “podcast,” its overall focus and common usage lean towards practical application rather than pure entertainment. It’s crucial to exercise caution with podcast.
  • Key Features: Free images, videos, podcast, sound effects. vector graphics and illustrations. easy downloads.
  • Pros: Diverse media types. user-friendly. commercial use allowed.
  • Cons: Podcast content needs careful selection. some content might be less curated.
• Canva: A design tool that includes a library of stock photos, videos, and graphics. While it has video and audio capabilities, its primary use for many is creating static graphics, presentations, and documents.
  • Key Features: Drag-and-drop design interface. vast template library. stock photos and videos.
  • Average Price: Free basic plan, paid subscriptions start around $12.99/month for Canva Pro.
  • Pros: Extremely user-friendly. versatile for various design needs. good for non-video content.
  • Cons: Stock media library not as deep as specialized platforms. advanced video editing is limited.
• Adobe Stock: A premium option with a vast library of royalty-free assets including photos, videos, vectors, illustrations, and templates. It’s more curated, but the user must be highly selective to avoid entertainment-focused content.
  • Key Features: Extensive premium library. integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud. high-quality assets.
  • Average Price: Starts at $29.99/month for 10 standard assets.
  • Pros: Professional quality. wide variety. reliable licensing.
  • Cons: Paid service. requires diligent filtering to remain ethical.
• Pond5: A large marketplace for royalty-free stock footage, podcast, sound effects, images, and more. While it has podcast and video, its focus is more on individual asset licensing, allowing users to be very selective about what they acquire, avoiding entertainment.
  • Key Features: Large collection. flexible licensing. diverse media types.
  • Average Price: Varies per asset, clips can range from $20-$100+.
  • Pros: Pay-per-asset model allows precise selection. high quality. comprehensive search.
  • Cons: Can be expensive if many assets are needed. requires strict filtering for ethical content.
• Getty Images: Known for its high-quality editorial and creative imagery and video, often used by professional news organizations and businesses. It’s premium and more about specific, impactful assets rather than a general “unlimited download” model.
  • Key Features: Exclusive, high-quality content. editorial focus. extensive archives.
  • Average Price: Varies significantly based on usage and asset type, often starting at $175 per image.
  • Pros: Top-tier content. unique and exclusive assets. highly reputable.
  • Cons: Very expensive. requires careful content selection to ensure ethical use.

Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.

IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.

Storyblocks.com Review & First Look

Based on an initial review of Storyblocks.com, it positions itself as a dynamic platform for creative professionals and businesses seeking stock media assets.

The website’s homepage immediately highlights its core value proposition: “Create better video, faster than ever.” This statement, coupled with the immediate display of categories like “Footage,” “Video Templates,” “Motion Backgrounds,” “Audio,” and “Images,” clearly indicates its primary focus on visual and auditory media, particularly for video production.

The site boasts “Unlimited downloads” from a library of “Over 4 million assets” with “Industry-leading licensing.”

Immediate Impressions of Storyblocks.com

The site design is clean and user-friendly, with prominent calls to action like “Join Now” and “Explore Stock Library.” It quickly directs users to its main offerings, including trending categories.

For someone needing a vast array of digital assets quickly, the promise of “unlimited downloads” can be very appealing. Symlexvpn.com Review

However, the strong emphasis on “Video Templates,” “Podcast,” and “Sound Effects” immediately raises a flag for those adhering to strict ethical guidelines, as these categories are inherently linked to entertainment and podcastal content, which are often deemed problematic.

The Ethical Dilemma of Stock Media

The ethical considerations surrounding platforms like Storyblocks.com stem from the very nature of the content they provide.

While stock images can be used for permissible purposes like educational materials, business presentations, or informational websites, the inclusion of “Podcast” and “Video Templates” specifically designed for general “Entertainment” or “Movies” can lead users down a path of engaging with or creating content that lacks beneficial purpose.

The core issue is that many of these assets are designed for industries that primarily serve entertainment, which can distract from more purposeful endeavors.

Key Offerings and Their Implications

Storyblocks.com segments its library into: Faithluxe.com Review

• Footage: Raw video clips, often used for documentaries, commercials, or general video projects. While some footage can be used for permissible, educational, or informational content, a significant portion is for entertainment.
• Video Templates: Pre-designed templates for After Effects, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Apple Motion. These templates are often used for intros, outros, transitions, and motion graphics in video productions, many of which are for entertainment purposes.
• Motion Backgrounds: Animated backgrounds that can be used in various video projects.
• Audio: This category explicitly includes “Podcast” and “Sound Effects.” Podcast, in particular, is a significant area of concern due to its nature and potential for heedlessness.
• Images: Still photographs and illustrations. These are generally the least problematic assets if used for ethical purposes.

The overarching theme is the provision of tools and assets for video creation, which, while having some permissible applications, is overwhelmingly used in the entertainment industry.

Storyblocks.com Pricing

Understanding the pricing structure of Storyblocks.com is crucial for potential users, especially when evaluating its overall value proposition.

The platform offers a subscription-based model, which is common among stock media providers.

This model allows users to access a vast library of assets for a recurring fee, often promising “unlimited downloads.”

Subscription Tiers and Features

Based on publicly available information, Storyblocks.com typically offers several tiers, each designed to cater to different user needs and budgets. Aviationadr.org.uk Review

While specific pricing can fluctuate and might require a direct visit to the Storyblocks.com pricing page for the most current details, the general structure usually includes:

• Monthly Subscription: This option provides flexibility for users who might need access for a short period or prefer not to commit to an annual plan. It generally comes at a higher monthly rate.
• Annual Subscription: The most common and cost-effective option, offering a significant discount compared to the monthly plan. This is ideal for consistent users who need regular access to assets throughout the year.
• Team/Enterprise Plans: For larger organizations or businesses, Storyblocks.com often provides custom solutions with features like multiple user seats, enhanced licensing, and dedicated support.

Common features across these plans typically include:

• Unlimited Downloads: The cornerstone of their offering, allowing subscribers to download as many assets as they need within their subscription term. This is a significant draw for high-volume creators.
• Access to Specific Libraries: Different plans might grant access to different types of assets e.g., footage only, or all-access to footage, audio, and images. The “All Access” plan is usually the most comprehensive.
• Standard License: Most plans come with a standard license that allows for commercial use, meaning downloaded assets can be used in projects for clients or for generating revenue. This is a key selling point for professionals.

Cost Analysis and Value Proposition

The appeal of “unlimited downloads” at a fixed price is undeniable for those with frequent stock media needs.

For example, if a single high-quality video clip from another platform might cost $50-$100, an unlimited subscription for a similar monthly fee can quickly pay for itself if multiple assets are needed.

However, this value proposition is only relevant if the assets themselves are permissible to use. Litemf.com Review

Example Pricing Illustrative, based on common models:

• Monthly Plan: Around $49/month for “All Access.”
• Annual Plan: Around $299/year effectively $24.92/month for “All Access.”

The Ethical Perspective on “Value”

From an ethical standpoint, the “value” of such a subscription is significantly diminished, if not entirely negated, by the nature of the content.

Even if the pricing is competitive and offers financial savings, the ethical cost of engaging with or creating entertainment-driven, podcast-laden, or otherwise distracting media remains.

The focus should always be on acquiring tools and resources that aid in beneficial endeavors, not those that facilitate impermissible activities.

Therefore, while Storyblocks.com’s pricing might be attractive in a conventional market sense, it presents little to no value from a principled ethical perspective. Dub-city.com Review

Storyblocks.com Free Trial

Many online subscription services, including those in the stock media industry, offer free trials to attract new users and allow them to experience the platform before committing to a paid subscription.

Storyblocks.com often provides a free trial as a way for potential subscribers to explore its vast library and test its features.

How the Free Trial Typically Works

The Storyblocks.com free trial usually grants limited access to a selection of their assets for a specific period, often 7 days.

During this period, users can download a certain number of assets—for example, 5 to 20 assets, depending on the current promotion.

This allows them to sample the quality and variety of content available without immediate financial commitment. Dm-properties.org Review

Key aspects of a typical Storyblocks.com free trial:

• Limited Downloads: Unlike the unlimited downloads of paid subscriptions, the free trial has a cap on the number of assets that can be downloaded.
• Access to Selected Content: While users can browse the entire library, downloads might be restricted to certain categories or a smaller curated selection.
• Credit Card Requirement: Most free trials, including Storyblocks.com’s, require users to provide credit card details at the time of sign-up. This is a common practice to ensure a smooth transition to a paid subscription if the user decides to continue after the trial period, and to prevent abuse of the trial system.
• Automatic Renewal: Crucially, if the subscription is not canceled before the trial period ends, it will automatically convert into a paid subscription usually the annual plan and charge the provided credit card.

Benefits of a Free Trial Conventional View

From a conventional marketing perspective, a free trial is beneficial for:

• User Experience: Allowing users to test the platform’s interface, search functionality, and download process.
• Content Evaluation: Enabling users to assess the quality, relevance, and variety of the stock media assets for their specific projects.
• Risk-Free Exploration: Providing an opportunity to explore the value proposition without financial risk.

The Ethical Lens on “Free” Access

However, even a “free” trial of Storyblocks.com faces the same ethical scrutiny as its paid subscriptions.

The core issue remains the nature of the content provided, particularly the strong presence of “Podcast” and “Video Templates” geared towards general “Entertainment.”

Ethical Concerns with the Free Trial: Flexclip.com Review

• Exposure to Impermissible Content: Even for a trial, users are exposed to and encouraged to explore content that is ethically problematic e.g., podcast, entertainment-focused video.
• Facilitating Impermissible Creation: The trial encourages users to experiment with creating videos or audio tracks that might be used for entertainment, promoting heedlessness, or other activities that are not permissible.
• No Real Benefit: If the primary use case of the platform is ethically questionable, then even “free” access to such tools provides no real, lasting benefit. It might even normalize engagement with these types of media.

Therefore, from an ethical standpoint, participating in a Storyblocks.com free trial, despite being “free,” is not recommended due to the inherent nature of the content it provides and facilitates.

The temptation to engage with or utilize tools for creating impermissible media remains.

Storyblocks.com Competitors

Storyblocks.com, while a prominent player, faces competition from a range of services that offer similar or complementary digital assets.

Understanding these competitors helps to contextualize Storyblocks.com’s position and highlights the broader ethical challenges within this sector.

Major Competitors in the Stock Media Space

Several platforms compete directly or indirectly with Storyblocks.com by offering stock footage, images, audio, and templates. Some of the most well-known include: Elleme.com Review

• Shutterstock: One of the largest and most established stock media agencies, Shutterstock offers a massive library of images, videos, podcast, and editorial content. It operates on both subscription and on-demand pricing models.
  • Similarities: Broad range of media types, commercial licensing, various pricing options.
  • Differences: Often perceived as having a wider and deeper collection, particularly for images.
• Adobe Stock: Tightly integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud applications, Adobe Stock provides high-quality images, videos, templates, 3D assets, and audio. It’s a strong contender for users already within the Adobe ecosystem.
  • Similarities: Professional-grade assets, focus on creative professionals.
  • Differences: Primarily a premium service, with pricing often structured around credits or asset packs.
• Envato Elements: This platform offers an “all-you-can-download” subscription model for a vast array of creative assets, including video templates, stock video, podcast, sound effects, graphics, fonts, and website templates.
  • Similarities: Unlimited downloads, comprehensive asset types.
  • Differences: Broader asset categories beyond just stock media, including web development assets.
• Vecteezy: Primarily known for its free and premium vector graphics, illustrations, and stock photos, Vecteezy has also expanded into stock video.
  • Similarities: Offers a mix of free and paid content, focus on visual assets.
  • Differences: Stronger emphasis on graphic design elements, video library is still growing compared to dedicated video platforms.
• Pond5: A marketplace for royalty-free stock footage, podcast, sound effects, images, and more. Pond5 allows contributors to set their prices, offering a wide range of options.
  • Similarities: Extensive video and audio libraries.
  • Differences: Primarily a pay-per-asset model rather than unlimited subscriptions, offering more unique and specialized content.

Ethical Comparison with Competitors

The common thread among many of these competitors is the provision of “Podcast,” “Movies,” and general “Entertainment” related content.

Just like Storyblocks.com, platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Envato Elements offer extensive libraries of podcast tracks, sound effects, and video templates that are primarily intended for entertainment or media production that lacks significant purpose.

• Shutterstock and Adobe Stock: While they offer a wide range of assets suitable for ethical uses e.g., educational images, their extensive podcast and video libraries also present the same challenges as Storyblocks.com.
• Envato Elements: With its “unlimited downloads” model for a vast array of digital assets, including podcast and video templates, Envato Elements poses an even greater risk of facilitating engagement with impermissible content due to its sheer volume and diversity of entertainment-focused categories.
• Pond5: As a marketplace, Pond5 allows for more selective purchasing, which theoretically could enable a user to avoid problematic content. However, the sheer volume of entertainment-focused footage and podcast still makes it a high-risk platform.

Therefore, while there are numerous competitors in the stock media space, the fundamental ethical concerns largely persist across the board.

The pervasive nature of podcast and entertainment-focused video content in this industry makes it challenging to find a mainstream platform that is entirely free from such issues.

Storyblocks.com Company

Storyblocks, Inc., the parent company, has established itself as a significant player in the stock media industry, focusing on providing affordable and accessible content to creators worldwide. Groupbuyseotools.net Review

Company Background and Mission

Storyblocks was founded in 2009 by Joel Holland, initially as VideoBlocks.com.

The company’s vision was to democratize access to high-quality stock media by offering a subscription model with unlimited downloads, a departure from the traditional pay-per-asset model dominant at the time.

This approach aimed to empower independent creators, small businesses, and large media organizations alike to produce professional-grade video content without prohibitive costs.

Over the years, the company expanded its offerings beyond video to include audio AudioBlocks and images GraphicStock, eventually consolidating all its services under the unified Storyblocks.com brand.

This rebranding aimed to create a single, cohesive platform for all forms of stock media. Invoicehome.com Review

Leadership and Structure

While specific names for the CEO or other leadership positions can change, Storyblocks.com, like many tech companies, operates with a team focused on product development, content acquisition, marketing, and customer service.

Information about their leadership, including individuals like the CEO, can often be found on professional networking sites like LinkedIn. Their focus is on continually expanding their library and improving the user experience, often through partnerships with content creators.

Business Model and Industry Impact

Storyblocks.com’s business model is centered on recurring revenue through subscriptions.

By offering unlimited access to a large library, they cater to high-volume users and those who prefer a predictable monthly or annual cost over fluctuating per-asset pricing.

This model has disrupted the traditional stock media market, pushing other providers to adapt their own pricing strategies. Carnival.com Review

The company’s impact on the industry is notable.

It has made professional stock media more accessible, allowing a broader range of individuals and businesses to produce high-quality visual and audio content.

This accessibility has contributed to the proliferation of video content across various platforms, from social media to online courses.

Ethical Considerations of Corporate Operations

While Storyblocks, Inc.

Presents itself as a company empowering creators, the ethical lens must extend to its fundamental business activities. Difbroker.com Review

If the core products and services facilitate activities that are ethically questionable, then the company’s operations, by extension, also become problematic.

• Revenue Generation: The company’s revenue is directly tied to subscriptions that provide access to content, including podcast and entertainment-focused video. This means the company benefits financially from the facilitation of these impermissible activities.
• Content Curation and Promotion: Storyblocks actively curates, licenses, and promotes content categories like “Podcast” and “Video Templates” for entertainment. This active role in disseminating such content raises concerns.

Therefore, while Storyblocks, Inc.

Might operate as a legitimate business entity in the conventional sense, its central role in providing content that is largely geared towards entertainment and features podcast makes it a platform that, from an ethical standpoint, is best avoided.

Storyblocks.com Commercial Use

One of the significant advantages that Storyblocks.com advertises, and a key reason professionals consider such platforms, is the licensing for commercial use.

This means that assets downloaded from Storyblocks.com can be used in projects that generate revenue, such as advertisements, client videos, YouTube channels, or corporate presentations. Quench.culligan.com Review

Understanding the scope of this commercial license is vital.

Understanding the Standard License

Storyblocks.com typically offers a standard license with its subscriptions.

This license is designed to be broad and permissive, covering most common commercial applications.

Key aspects of their commercial use license usually include:

• Royalty-Free: Once an asset is downloaded with an active subscription, it is royalty-free. This means you don’t have to pay additional fees for each use, nor do you need to report usage back to Storyblocks or the original creator.
• Perpetual Use: Assets downloaded during an active subscription can often be used perpetually, even after the subscription expires. This is a crucial feature, ensuring that projects created during the subscription period remain legally viable.
• Global Usage: The license generally allows for worldwide use across various media.
• Multi-Use: Assets can be used in multiple projects without requiring separate licenses for each.

Typical Allowed Uses for Storyblocks.com Assets Conventional View: Lanternuk.com Review

• Marketing and Advertising: Commercials, promotional videos, social media campaigns, print ads.
• Websites and Digital Content: Backgrounds for websites, YouTube videos, online courses, podcasts.
• Corporate and Internal Use: Company presentations, training videos, internal communications.
• Client Projects: Videos or designs created for clients.

Restrictions and Limitations

While the commercial license is broad, there are typically some common restrictions to prevent misuse or direct competition with Storyblocks’ business model:

• No Resale of Raw Assets: You usually cannot resell the raw, unmodified assets as stock content yourself.
• No Trademarking/Logo Use: The assets cannot typically be used as a trademark or logo for a business.
• Sensitive Use: Assets generally cannot be used in a way that is defamatory, obscene, or promotes illegal activities.

The Ethical Stance on Commercial Use

From an ethical perspective, the ability to use assets for “commercial use” compounds the existing issues.

If the assets themselves are ethically problematic e.g., podcast, entertainment-focused video templates, then using them in a commercial context means generating revenue from, or facilitating the spread of, impermissible content.

• Direct Earning from Impermissible Content: When content creators use Storyblocks assets like podcast tracks or video templates for entertainment-driven YouTube channels or client projects, they are directly earning income from the creation and distribution of content that falls into discouraged categories. This aligns profit with activities that are not permissible.
• Normalization and Proliferation: Commercial use implies wider distribution and a greater impact on audiences. By creating and disseminating entertainment-focused commercial content using Storyblocks’ assets, creators contribute to the normalization and proliferation of such media, potentially drawing more people into heedless pursuits.
• Opportunity Cost: The time, effort, and resources spent on creating commercial entertainment content could otherwise be directed towards producing beneficial, educational, or purposeful media.

Therefore, the commercial use aspect of Storyblocks.com, rather than being an advantage from an ethical standpoint, intensifies the existing concerns.

It transforms the act of merely consuming or exploring problematic content into an active participation in its production and financial benefit from its distribution. Butlins.com Review

For those committed to ethical principles, commercial use of such a platform’s problematic offerings is highly discouraged.

How to Cancel Storyblocks.com Subscription

For those who may have subscribed to Storyblocks.com and later recognize that the platform’s offerings do not align with their ethical principles, canceling the subscription becomes a necessary step.

The process is typically straightforward, though it’s important to be aware of the terms and conditions, especially regarding automatic renewals and potential refunds.

Step-by-Step Cancellation Process

The general steps to cancel a Storyblocks.com subscription are as follows:

1. Login to Your Account: Navigate to the Storyblocks.com login page and sign in using your credentials email and password.
2. Access Account Settings: Once logged in, look for your account settings or profile section. This is usually found by clicking on your profile icon or name in the top right corner of the dashboard.
3. Find Subscription or Billing: Within the account settings, locate the “Subscription,” “Billing,” or “Manage Plan” section. This area provides details about your current plan, renewal date, and payment information.
4. Initiate Cancellation: There should be an option to “Cancel Subscription” or “Manage Subscription.” Click on this. Storyblocks, like many subscription services, might prompt you with a series of questions about why you’re canceling or offer incentives to stay.
5. Confirm Cancellation: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the cancellation process. You may need to confirm your decision multiple times. It’s crucial to ensure you receive a confirmation email indicating that your subscription has been successfully canceled. Keep this email for your records.

Important Considerations for Cancellation

• Timing: To avoid being charged for the next billing cycle, it’s essential to cancel before your next renewal date. This date is clearly displayed in your subscription or billing section.
• Downloaded Assets: For most stock media platforms, including Storyblocks.com, assets downloaded during an active subscription usually come with a perpetual license. This means you can continue to use them in your projects even after your subscription ends, provided their use adheres to the terms of the license. However, if the assets themselves are ethically questionable, it’s best to cease using them regardless.
• Refund Policy: Storyblocks.com’s refund policy can vary. Typically, pro-rata refunds for annual plans are uncommon unless specified in their terms of service or in cases of specific issues. It’s always best to check their current terms of service for the most accurate information on refunds.
• Customer Support: If you encounter any issues during the cancellation process, or if the option isn’t readily available, contact Storyblocks.com customer support directly for assistance.

The Ethical Rationale for Cancellation

Canceling a subscription to Storyblocks.com, particularly when driven by ethical concerns, is a positive step.

It represents a conscious decision to disengage from platforms that facilitate engagement with podcast, entertainment, and other impermissible content.

By canceling, one actively chooses not to contribute financially to an ecosystem that often promotes heedlessness and distraction.

This aligns one’s actions with a commitment to seeking out and utilizing resources that genuinely contribute to beneficial, purposeful, and ethical endeavors.

It’s a practical application of the principle of avoiding that which is detrimental, even if seemingly convenient or popular.

How to Cancel Storyblocks.com Free Trial

Canceling a free trial for Storyblocks.com is just as important as canceling a paid subscription, especially given the ethical concerns surrounding the platform’s content.

Many free trials, including Storyblocks.com’s, automatically roll over into a paid subscription if not canceled before the trial period expires.

This means that if you provide your credit card details for a free trial, you will be charged the full subscription fee often for an annual plan if you forget to cancel.

Essential Steps to Avoid Being Charged

To ensure you are not automatically billed after the free trial period, follow these steps meticulously:

1. Mark Your Calendar: As soon as you sign up for the free trial, note down the exact date and time your trial period ends. Set a reminder at least 24-48 hours before this deadline. This is crucial for avoiding an unwanted charge.
2. Log In to Your Account: Go to the Storyblocks.com login page and enter your credentials.
3. Navigate to Subscription Settings: Once logged in, locate your account settings. This is usually under your profile icon or name, often labeled “Account,” “My Account,” or similar. Look for sections related to “Subscription,” “Billing,” or “Manage Plan.”
4. Find the Cancellation Option: Within the subscription management area, there should be a clear option to “Cancel Free Trial” or “Manage Subscription.” Click on this link.
5. Follow Prompts and Confirm: The website might present a series of prompts asking for your reason for canceling or attempting to retain you as a customer. Continue through these steps until you reach a final confirmation screen.
6. Verify Confirmation: It is vital to receive a confirmation email from Storyblocks.com stating that your free trial has been successfully canceled and that you will not be charged. Save this email as proof of cancellation. If you do not receive a confirmation email, contact their customer support immediately.

Why Cancelling the Free Trial is Ethically Important

Even though a free trial doesn’t involve an initial financial outlay, canceling it is an ethical imperative for several reasons:

• Preventing Financial Engagement with Impermissible Content: By ensuring the trial doesn’t convert to a paid subscription, you prevent your financial resources from being used to support a platform that heavily promotes and facilitates entertainment, podcast, and other content types that are deemed ethically problematic.
• Avoiding Complicity: Continuing to use the platform, even for free, and then allowing a charge to go through implies a level of complicity or tacit approval of its offerings. Actively canceling demonstrates a clear disengagement.
• Reducing Exposure to Distraction: While using the free trial, you are still exposed to a vast library of content, including podcast and video templates, which can be a source of distraction or engagement in frivolous pursuits. Canceling the trial helps limit this exposure.
• Reinforcing Principles: The act of taking a definitive step to cancel a service that doesn’t align with ethical principles reinforces one’s commitment to those principles in daily life and consumption habits.

In essence, canceling a Storyblocks.com free trial is not just about saving money.

It’s about making a deliberate choice to avoid supporting or engaging with content that is ethically discouraged, even when offered without immediate cost.

FAQ

What is Storyblocks.com?

Storyblocks.com is an online subscription service that provides access to a vast library of royalty-free stock media assets, including video footage, video templates, motion backgrounds, audio podcast and sound effects, and images, primarily for video creation and other digital projects.

Is Storyblocks.com ethical to use from a principled standpoint?

No, Storyblocks.com is not considered ethical to use from a principled standpoint due to its prominent inclusion and promotion of “Podcast,” “Movies,” and general “Entertainment” related content video templates, sound effects for entertainment. These categories are generally discouraged due to their potential to lead to heedlessness, distraction, and engaging with content that is not purposeful.

What types of content does Storyblocks.com offer?

Storyblocks.com offers various types of stock content, including footage, video templates for software like After Effects, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Apple Motion, motion backgrounds, audio podcast and sound effects, and images.

Does Storyblocks.com offer unlimited downloads?

Yes, Storyblocks.com advertises “unlimited downloads” with its subscription plans, allowing users to download as many assets as they need from their library during their active subscription period.

Can I use Storyblocks.com content for commercial projects?

Conventionally, yes.

Storyblocks.com provides a standard license that allows for commercial use of its assets in projects like advertisements, client videos, and corporate presentations, even after your subscription ends.

However, from an ethical viewpoint, using content that is inherently problematic for commercial gain is discouraged.

How does Storyblocks.com licensing work?

Storyblocks.com typically offers a royalty-free, perpetual, and global license for assets downloaded during an active subscription.

This means you pay once via subscription and can use the assets indefinitely in multiple projects without additional fees or geographic restrictions.

Does Storyblocks.com have a free trial?

Yes, Storyblocks.com often offers a free trial, which typically provides limited downloads e.g., 5-20 assets for a set period e.g., 7 days. A credit card is usually required, and the trial will automatically convert to a paid subscription if not canceled before the trial period ends.

How do I cancel my Storyblocks.com subscription?

To cancel your Storyblocks.com subscription, log into your account, navigate to your account settings or “Manage Plan” section, and follow the prompts to cancel.

Ensure you receive a confirmation email to verify the cancellation.

Will I be charged if I don’t cancel my Storyblocks.com free trial?

Yes, if you do not cancel your Storyblocks.com free trial before the specified end date, it will automatically convert into a paid subscription usually an annual plan and charge the credit card you provided during sign-up.

What are the alternatives to Storyblocks.com for ethical content?

Ethical alternatives include platforms focused primarily on images and practical video content, such as Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay. For design, Canva can be used selectively.

Can I get a refund from Storyblocks.com if I cancel?

Storyblocks.com’s refund policy can vary and is generally outlined in their terms of service.

Pro-rata refunds for annual plans are usually not standard unless there’s a specific issue or policy provision.

It’s best to review their current terms or contact customer support.

Is Storyblocks.com good for beginners?

From a technical standpoint, Storyblocks.com can be good for beginners due to its vast library and templates that simplify video creation.

However, from an ethical standpoint, it is not recommended for anyone, regardless of experience level, due to its content.

What is the difference between Storyblocks.com and Shutterstock?

Storyblocks.com typically focuses on an unlimited download subscription model, particularly strong in video and audio.

Shutterstock offers a broader range of assets images, video, podcast with both subscription and on-demand pricing, often perceived as having a deeper image library.

Both, however, face similar ethical concerns regarding podcast and entertainment content.

Are all assets on Storyblocks.com royalty-free?

Yes, generally all assets available for download with an active Storyblocks.com subscription are royalty-free, meaning no additional fees are required for their use in projects once downloaded.

Can I use Storyblocks.com audio without the podcast?

While Storyblocks.com does offer “Sound Effects” in addition to “Podcast,” the platform’s primary offerings are intertwined with audio for video production, which often includes podcastal elements.

It requires diligent filtering and careful selection to avoid podcast entirely.

What happens to my downloaded assets if my Storyblocks.com subscription expires?

Assets downloaded during an active Storyblocks.com subscription typically come with a perpetual license, meaning you can continue to use them in projects even after your subscription expires.

However, this does not override ethical considerations regarding the content itself.

Is Storyblocks.com owned by a larger company?

Storyblocks.com is owned by Storyblocks, Inc., which operates as an independent company focused on providing stock media content through its subscription service.

Where can I find Storyblocks.com reviews from other users?

You can find reviews for Storyblocks.com on various third-party review sites, forums for creative professionals, and general business review platforms.

However, it’s important to cross-reference these with your own ethical judgment.

Does Storyblocks.com offer support for its users?

Yes, Storyblocks.com typically provides customer support through various channels, including email, and often has a comprehensive help center or FAQ section on its website to assist users with common queries.

Can I upload my own content to Storyblocks.com to sell?

Storyblocks.com has a contributor program where creators can submit their work footage, images, audio to be included in the library, for which they receive royalties.

However, participating in this program would involve contributing to a platform with ethical concerns.