SmugMug Development Lab

What’s New

• In both our Android and iOS app
  • The deprecated slideshow gallery style option has been removed. However, beautiful slideshows can continue to be viewed in mobile and desktop web browsers within galleries, if the option is enabled in the settings and the play button is selected at the top of the gallery.
• Android app version 4.8.8
  • To improve support and troubleshooting for upload issues, we quietly enhanced the background processes. These changes ensure smoother and more reliable uploads for users.
• iOS app version 4.11.9
  • The 'Add Folder/Gallery' button has been removed when the maximum depth in the folder and gallery hierarchy has been reached. This update ensures a clearer experience by indicating when you’ve reached the maximum level in the hierarchy.
• iOS app version 4.11.10
  • Resolved an issue where the lightbox view overflow menu was not consistently displaying, ensuring reliable access to all options.‍
• Direct image URLs now include a signature and are independent of gallery privacy settings. You can also update these shared image links when changing a gallery's privacy to private.
• The macOS Uploader app has received a major update! The SmugMug macOS Uploader app is now available for direct download from SmugMug, bypassing the need for the App Store. This update brings significant improvements – enabling seamless uploads of tens of thousands of files directly from your device or NAS drive – functionality that wasn’t possible with the previous App Store version.
• Android app version 4.8.9
  • Implemented a quick fix for a scrolling issue on the photo edit details page. Now, when you scroll to the bottom and back to the top, the text fields and map buttons function as expected.
• We’ve eliminated the $0.50 processing fee for digital downloads. Previously charged to your customers, this fee has been removed to enhance their experience.

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What’s Changed

• The option to leave a comment on a photo or gallery with Facebook login credentials has been retired.
• SmugVault was retired from the Account Settings. This feature was retired many years ago, but a few customers have images from their Vaults still on their accounts. Those images can be viewed in your Organizer and Library.
• The ability to add and remove images by updating selections on the shop page has been moved to the cart, making it easier for customers to choose various products and images for their photo order.
• Obsolete customization options for the 'Buy Button' have been removed to prevent confusion when customizing Thumbnail and Collage Portrait/Landscape settings. 
• We updated the low-resolution message in proof delay to provide clearer guidance as you review your orders and submit them for print.
• The digital download messaging for Originals has been rephrased to “Highest resolution file uploaded by the photographer” rather than “ Full sized with every pixel included” to avoid any confusion if the uploaded file resolution is low. 
• Hidden images are now included with a selection when site owners are logged in and choose Select All.

Bug Fixes

• Resolved an issue where downloads from mobile Safari included unwanted spacer.gif files.
• Addressed a problem where some customers experienced difficulties saving a custom domain in the account settings, which was quickly rectified by our team.
• Corrected discrepancies in profit information display between the Sales History and Order Detail pages.
• Addressed an issue where uploaded images were not rendering properly. 
• Mitigated delivery delays for some Pro order emails.
• Corrected a bug that caused items to go missing in the cart during checkout.
• Updated the social icons content block to allow URLs containing the “@” symbol.
• Fixed an issue with address validation for zero-dollar orders.
• Enabled site owners to purchase hidden images, resolving prior access issues.
• Increased the photo selection limit to 100, up from 99 in the ‘add more photos’ section of the buying flow.

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What’s New

• We’ve partnered with Ultracamp: an all-in-one camp management platform designed to help build, manage and support successful camps. With SmugMug’s UltraCamp integration, you’ll be able to seamlessly organize, share and sell your camp photos!
• We’re always trying to improve the mobile experience – you can now order print and digital packages on the go! Enjoy seamless access to your favorite memories anytime, anywhere.

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What’s Changed

• We’ve made a switch from Kodak paper to Fuji across hundreds of SKUs, at both WHCC and Bay Photo.
• iOS 4.11.2 release comes with all sorts of updates, like a streamlined automatic upload experience that helps reduce CPU utilization.
• Make sure to keep an eye out for a few pricing changes at WHCC.
• We’ve improved in-app messaging in the Assistant view on Android 4.8.5.
• We fixed a QR code issue on Android 4.8.6.
• There’s an iOS. 4.11.5 update to the upload queue – we now display the file name to align more closely with your web experience.

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Bug Fixes

• iOS
  • We’ve been busy squashing bugs left and right! Your RAW uploads will no longer make the app crash, and we figured out why failed uploads couldn’t be cleared. Check and check.
  • Were you unable to dismiss your upload queue? Fixed it!
  • We pride ourselves on our speedy fixes, and want to always be getting quicker and more efficient! To assist our team in troubleshooting, we made some crucial updates to the debug log process.
  • We made a minor update to the help messaging about private settings for folders and galleries.
• Android
  • QR codes are up and running, yeehaw!
  • Some customers let us know that their auto-upload notifications were stuck on and we solved the problem.
• Web
  • We got quickly to work to make sure our Hide Owner galleries would display when viewed from within a folder.
  • We fixed an issue with the download icon and polished the gallery and lightbox to ensure consistent and seamless image delivery across the board.
  • Some customers were receiving emails regarding their renewal that mentioned a promotional detail that was not accurate – apologies for the confusion!
  • We resolved the error message with cards and albums only in a pricelist.
  • On the Shop Page when the ‘Add” button was selected, spinners were spinning which resulted in items not being added to cart – but not anymore!

Stay tuned for more exciting improvements!

What’s new.

• We've given our iOS app a tune-up with more modernized code, ensuring a smoother experience for you. Also enjoy sleeker navigation with updated overflow menus that make it even easier to find your way around the app.
• Our Android app is now updated to Android 14, keeping you in sync with the latest API changes behind the scenes. We've also updated our multi-factor authentication (MFA) log-in messaging, providing a direct link to our help page for any assistance you might need.
• For Android TV users, we've revamped the "Slideshow Display Time" option to provide a better navigation experience with clear focus indicators.

What’s changed.

• We're continuing to enhance your browsing privacy when it comes to dependency on cookies. As a result, dragging and dropping directly into a gallery to upload is no longer supported, but you can still enjoy a smooth uploading (and drag-and-drop) experience through our upload interface.
• We’ve been hard at work behind the scenes to enhance our backup strategy to continually safeguard your precious photos.
• You’ll also notice a more streamlined experience across our mobile web and native apps.

Bug fixes.

• Enjoy a smoother shopping experience, with fixes for unlisted galleries not showing items in the shopping cart, password-protected galleries being able to access the shopping cart, and themed messages when there are "No Products Available" for purchase.
• Your gallery feature image will now display the correct image when posting to Facebook.
• The Safari browser no longer interferes with creating QR codes on a custom domain.
• Fixed the ability for assistants to download single images from the Organizer and removed their ability to access sales history.
• Bulk-gallery changes will no longer flash a misleading error message when the changes work.
• Our iOS app also received a lot of love, bringing back the "Move" option to the overflow menu for easier navigation and providing bug-free downloads after swiping through the Lightbox or via multi-select.
• We also cleared the auto-upload errors related to too little space or gallery limits being exceeded.
• We fixed video-playback issues in the iOS mobile browser to ensure you no longer get only audio.

Stay tuned for more exciting improvements!

What’s new.

• We've turbocharged the shopping experience for your customers, making it lightning-fast to add items to their carts. Since making these changes, we’ve seen the time it takes your visitors to add their first item to the cart drop by 34 seconds. We’ve also seen conversion rates for adding items to cart increase. Quicker shopping = more sales for you.
• We’ve added a fantastic new SmugMug Perk: 20% off a lifetime membership to the International Freelance Photographers Organization (IFPO). IFPO has provided credentials, support, access, and community to photographers since 1984.

What’s changed.

• We've made significant improvements to your uploading experience, paving the way for better content sharing and management. Check out this announcement for all the details.

Bug fixes.

• To simplify your customers’ buying process, coupons will no longer apply to packages, which already offer your visitors discounted pricing.
• We've fixed the issue causing video-playback interruptions before processing completes, which resulted in "Processing Failed" messages.
• Out with incorrect crops. We've resolved the issue that affected some print-product cropping to deliver perfect results every time.
• Pro branding updates now stick when changed, allowing Pro-plan subscribers to showcase their updated brand with thank-you notes in each print order and custom stickers on the outside of shipping packages. Not yet using this feature? Learn more!
• Downloaded orders are now correctly labeled as "Shipped," providing clarity for Pros and customers alike.
• We've tackled a cookie issue that blocked visitors from passworded galleries and downloads after they entered the correct password, ensuring uninterrupted access for your visitors.
• Sales history is now off-limits to assistants, and downloading images is a breeze from both the organizer and lightbox.
• We've squashed iOS bugs left and right—from manual-sort glitches to app crashes—to make your mobile SmugMug experience even better and ensure you have uninterrupted access to your photos and videos no matter where you are.
• Our latest Android app release comes with performance enhancements for smoother browsing and quicker transitions.
• Prints and cards now play nice together in the same cart, ensuring they're both visible and ready for purchase.

These updates are designed to supercharge your selling experience and keep your business running smoothly. Happy selling!

What’s new.

• We’ve enriched your shopping experience by introducing package and gallery-download options directly within the gallery. Now it’s easier than ever to explore and purchase the perfect package or download high-quality images to cherish forever. Since release, we’ve seen visitors using these new options 10 times more than when they were buried a few clicks away—and more engagement means more sales!

• Enjoy smoother multi-selection sharing with our latest Android app version. Preserve your image selections even after download errors and enjoy hassle-free editing with multiline captions.
• Say goodbye to cropping concerns! Our new crop-warning message in the shopping cart alerts your customers to potential issues, allowing for easy adjustments before ordering. This also helps ensure they’re more aware that cropping occurs before printing, increasing satisfaction when their order arrives.

What’s changed.

• Visitors to your smugmug.com domain are now automatically redirected to your custom domain, enhancing your brand presence and user experience.
• We’ve improved the experience when canceling your SmugMug subscription through our iOS app with  a reminder to also cancel your subscription directly in the App Store. While we wish we could do this for you automatically, Apple’s terms require this step to fully stop future charges.
• Say goodbye to reliance on browser cookies for your stats—we're keeping up to date with modern browser requirements while respecting your privacy! As a result, stats may now include owner views. 
• We've also revamped our image URLs to ensure robust security without relying on browser cookies. Your photos are now even safer, giving you peace of mind every time you share or view them.

Bug fixes.

• We squashed a pesky bug in our latest iOS app version that caused auto-upload notifications to be sent erroneously, even when auto upload wasn't enabled. 
• We fixed bugs preventing video publishing and RAW photo uploads in our Lightroom plug-in, ensuring your photos and videos continue to reliably upload to SmugMug for secure storage and sharing.
• We resolved an issue where RAW uploads (with a Source subscription) weren't generating JPG previews. Although the fix wasn't retroactive, affected files are now ready for primetime.
• Fixed a bug where sort orders weren't always honored when viewing your site while logged out. Now your content displays just the way you want it.
• Tackled an issue where feature/thumbnail images would sometimes stop displaying in our Windows app. Update to the newest version for improved browsing and viewing experiences.
• Our Android app now lets you make purchases from private galleries even when your account has a custom domain, providing you a quick and easy way to order personal prints on the go.
• Our iOS app now displays all folders and galleries when adding or uploading.
• Enjoy glitch-free navigation on our mobile apps. We resolved issues with image processing, checkout, and gallery visibility on both Android and iOS platforms.
• Fixed GST calculation issues on digital-download purchases in Australia.
• Quashed an issue with photo-size shrinking when rotating a device in the Lightbox, ensuring optimal display quality.
• Resolved a concern where coupon restrictions weren’t applying to gallery downloads, ensuring consistent pricing and discounts.

At SmugMug, we're always striving to make your experience better, and that includes ensuring your photos and galleries get the visibility they deserve. In the first quarter of this year, we embarked on a mission to enhance the SEO (search engine optimization) of your SmugMug sites to ensure they get more visibility in search results. Here's a breakdown of what it means for you and what's on the horizon.

What changed.

We rolled up our sleeves and dove deep into the backend of SmugMug to improve the SEO performance of your photo sites. As we optimized for SEO, we also improved performance and reliability for your photo galleries. The proof is in the numbers.

Since beginning our SEO overhaul on November 2, 2023, we've seen significant improvements in key metrics, as reported by Google Search Console:

• A whopping 140% increase in the number of *.smugmug.com pages indexed by Google.
• A remarkable uptick in images and videos with enhanced metadata.
• Double-digit percentage increases in both web and image search impressions.

This means more of your sites are being crawled and, more importantly, more of your photos are being seen. Not just being seen, but clicked on and engaged with!

While these numbers speak volumes, it's essential to remember that SEO is an ongoing journey, and there's a lot you can do to help boost your own numbers. We've got a guide to help you do just that!

What's next.

SEO improvements will continue to be one of our priorities. Our commitment to improving your photo site's visibility is unwavering. And while the work on SEO may never be finished, we're dedicated to elevating your SmugMug experience and helping your photos shine on the web.

What’s new.

• Discover a more visual and convenient buying experience with our Collage and Thumbnail gallery styles. The all-new buying flow allows you to effortlessly select and add multiple photos to your cart with a single click. Shopping has never been easier.

• Make your Collage or Thumbnail gallery more interactive with a new hover feature for your shopping-bag icon. Let your photos speak for themselves without any overlays until your customer is ready to buy. Enable this feature in your gallery settings.
• We fine-tuned our Android and iOS apps to address your concerns about gallery card sizes and icons. Explore a smoother, more enjoyable scrolling experience—because your visual journey should be flawless.
• A new help feature reminds you that filenames won't show if a photo has a caption. 

What’s changed.

• We made numerous updates to our help pages, offering detailed insights into new features, buying flows, SEO best practices, and more. Check them out and make the most of your SmugMug experience.
• Our ongoing efforts ensure your SmugMug site remains at the forefront of search-engine results. We continued SEO improvements for an even stronger online presence for your photos.

Bug fixes.

• Some users faced a small issue with default pricelists not being assigned, which we swiftly resolved.
• Your events and custom domains now work in perfect harmony! We squashed the bugs, ensuring a smooth and unified experience.
• We diligently worked to correct a temporary glitch in stats reporting and retroactively updated affected stats pages. 
• We fixed an issue that was causing private-sharing emails to ghost their recipients.
• No more worries about duplicate email addresses with different names when sharing—we've addressed the glitch.

Looking back at 2022.

In 2022, we celebrated 20 years of helping photographers all over the world showcase their art, cherish their memories, share their experiences, and run their businesses. And a lot has happened in those 20 years! We’ve heard amazing stories from photographers about their work and how they run their businesses. We’ve told some of their stories with SmugMug Films, where we highlight the inspirational work of amazing photographers around the world. And we’ve heard from our customers about how much of an impact our platform has made in their lives.

You are our priority, and the work we did in 2022 reflects that.

As your business grows, we’re enabling you to do more of it while on the go. We added notifications to our mobile apps to let you know when you make a sale. We also added mobile support for proof delay and made it possible for you to check on the status of orders no matter where you are. These small changes free you to manage your business when and where you want.

When you’re at your desk, we’ve added support for proof delay directly into the SmugMug plug-in for Lightroom Classic, allowing you to stay in this powerful tool while fulfilling customer orders.

It can be difficult to know if your photos are getting in front of your potential buyers, so we added improved SmugMug gallery engagement stats to get the data on how your potential buyers are responding and if the promotional channels you’re using are effective.

Our world-class customer support Heroes answered more than 120,000 inquiries. Many issues were resolved in just a few minutes. We’re proud to continue offering this level of courteous, effective, and fast customer support.

We made improvements to search to make finding photos easier for you and for your customers. Search is now faster and more accurate across all our subscription plans, and for customers opted into SmugMug Source™, it also includes auto-tagging of objects and geolocation.

We improved the purchase experience for customers ordering digital downloads from mobile phones and tablets, solving a fulfillment pain point many of you shared with us. We also added the ability for you to sell digital packages, giving you the best-in-class tools to deliver photographs to your clients.

But none of that matters if all of your photos aren’t safe and readily accessible. In the past two years we made it easier for you to store your RAW files along with your finished JPGs with SmugMug Source, an add-on feature to any SmugMug subscription plan. And in this past year alone, we invested in the stability and reliability of the SmugMug platform and storage. While you can’t always see these changes, everyone benefits from faster page loads, improved browser experiences across devices, and the peace of mind that every pixel of your work is safely stored and ready to be served at a moment’s notice.

Forward looking to 2023.

You’ve told us you want to sell your work. We’re here to support you in achieving that goal. In the coming year you’ll see improvements that help people find and purchase their photos more easily. We know many of your customers increasingly are giving up their desktop computers (if they ever had them) and are using their devices on the go. We’re committed to making that experience easier for them and for you when managing the sale.

You’ve said you want photos available for purchase faster. We’re investing to enable more options for uploading. We’re excited about the opportunities in this space and can’t wait to see how it accelerates your business.

We want to be the best employee you’ve ever had, supporting you with the mundane parts of running your business so you can do the work that’s unique to you. Letting you do the work that your customers depend on. We’re also working on improvements to help you get photos onto our platform more easily, whether that’s on your desktop, tablet, phone, or camera — uploading to SmugMug should always be fast and reliable.

Like many of you, we’re concerned about the world we’re leaving behind for future generations, so we’re working to reduce the environmental impact of our business. This means continued investment in how we run our platform and business in a sustainable manner. We’ll continue to optimize our software, storage, bandwidth, and energy usage to ultimately become climate neutral.

Our purpose as a company is to build a better world through the power of photography. At SmugMug, we’re creating the best platform for all photographers and we’re incredibly humble that you’ve chosen us to be a partner throughout your journey. The next 20 years will be transformative for the photography industry, just as the introduction of digital cameras was. So stay in touch and look for more from us throughout the year!

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Tell us what you think! Start a conversation on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

What’s new.

• Continued improvements to SEO, ensuring your SmugMug site stays at the forefront of search-engine results.
• Seamless experiences continue on Android with our latest updates to the app—smoother, faster, and more delightful than ever. Enjoy enhanced features, a better interface, and a bug-free experience. We also updated icons to improve the visual experience for a wider range of modern and older Android devices.
• Unveiled the next phase of ShutterScout, which now allows potential clients to search for photographers to hire, offering more to elevate your photography business.

 What’s changed.

• Your journey with multi-factor authentication is now even smoother. We've updated and improved the setup process for a hassle-free experience. Updates to wording, clearer steps, and additional help-article links—ensuring you're always informed and empowered.

Bug fixes.

• No more hiccups! Now, when you share a link to an image in a Hide Owner gallery, guests are directed to the image, not just the gallery.
• Updated the Adobe Lightroom Classic plug-in, addressing issues related to assistant access.
• Say goodbye to the wrong image previews. Shared image links on Facebook now display the correct image, enhancing your online presence.
• Moving a photo to a gallery with a watermark now applies the watermark, ensuring your branded touch on every image.
• iOS app folder feature images are no longer playing hide and seek; they're front and center for you and your audience to enjoy.
• An issue with event passwords restricting access to galleries has been resolved. Enjoy better access and security.
• Events and custom domains now work harmoniously, eliminating the need for complicated workarounds. Thank you for your patience!
• Fixed a glitch that prevented coupons from being used on digital downloads. Now enjoy the full power of discounts on every purchase.
• Fine-tuned our order-confirmation emails to provide you with more accurate processing-time details. Stay informed and track your orders with confidence.

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Remember to keep an eye out for updates in the "What’s New" section in your SmugMug account. And tell us what you think or what features you’d like to see: start a conversation on our Facebook, Instagram, and/or X (formerly known as Twitter).