500px has an
algorithm in place to allow recently uploaded photos of a high standard to be displayed at the forefront of the site. Views, likes and favourites all contribute to a photo’s rating or ‘Pulse’.
[18] The higher the Pulse the more likely it is to get to the Popular page and the higher the chance it has of being seen by other users.[
citation needed] The algorithm allows all users, not just those with a following, to have a chance to get their work to the front page of the Popular photos, increasing exposure.
[19] The mathematical equations in place also take into account the freshness of an image with Likes and Favorites counting for fewer points as they build up and the Pulse gradually decreasing with updates.
[20] This results in the Popular page always displaying fresh content and motivates users to regularly upload new images.
[21] Each user also has an overall rating titled ‘Affection’. Taking into account the likes and favourites they have received across all photos, it is a reliable indication of how popular a photographer is within the community.
[18]On April 12, 2012 500px's
Terms of Service rose to the top of popular site Hacker News, garnering attention for displaying full-on lawyer speak on the left-hand side of the page and summing up the legalese into basic points on the right-hand side. The resulting discussion on the Terms was mixed, with positive feedback such as ‘awesome’
[27] and ‘one of the cleanest in the industry’
[28] alongside negative feedback that believes 500px may have put themselves at undue risk.
[29]On January 21, 2013, Apple removed 500px's iPad app from its store, citing concerns of nudity available via the app.
[30] Apple restored the app on January 29, following the release of a new version with a "Mature 17+ rating" and a report button.
[31]
