ImageShack
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Type of site
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Image hosting service |
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| Available in | English, Russian |
| Owner | ImageShack Corp. |
| Created by | Alexander Levin |
| Website | ImageShack.us |
| Alexa rank |
 1,491 (February 2015[update]) |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Optional (required for uploading files) |
| Launched | November 12, 2003 |
| Current status | Active |
ImageShack is a subscription-based image hosting website headquartered at Los Gatos, California.
Although ImageShack previously had a subscription service, the majority of its revenue was produced from advertising related to its free image hosting. In January 2014, ImageShack announced that it was switching to a subscription based service and would no longer offer free uploads.
Images stored in free accounts were still available until January 31, 2016, and free accounts not converted to paid accounts were deleted after that date. The new website interface does not allow direct free web-based access to the original image resolution, but images can be bulk-downloaded at original resolution using their SkyPath application.
The site was launched in November 2003. The main page has a file selection field, where the user may select the image file to upload. The image file format must be either JPEG (JPG), PNG, GIF, TIFF (TIF), or BMP, and the file must be smaller than or equal to 5 megabytes (free service) or 10 megabytes (subscription service). Uploaded BMP and TIFF (TIF) images are automatically converted to PNG format.
After the file is uploaded, the user is redirected to a page containing different versions of URLs to the uploaded image. These URLs are preformatted in a variety of HTML and Bulletin Board code snippets, which can be used to hotlink them on websites and message boards. These URLs are not listed publicly, so only the user and the people to whom the user shares the URL know the file location.
In mid-2008, Imageshack began "hiding" the direct link to images in an attempt to reduce the number of directly linked images since they provide no advertising revenue. After receiving feedback from users, Imageshack discontinued "hiding" the direct links and placed them on the top of the page. However, it now claims, you must register to see the direct link (viewing the image directly or reading the URL from the source code also works).
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