using images from google images

by 32 replies
33
Hey everyone,i was wondering if anyone has ever gotten in trouble for using images frm google images on their website/ads/landing pages?
#main internet marketing discussion forum #google #images
  • Google is your friend
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
    • [2] replies
    • I've posted about this before. This can not be relied on. I've personally seen images listed as public domain or similar but in fact they were commercial images from sites like Shutterstock.

      Google doesn't know in and of itself what an image is licensed as. There's no way it could know.

      Let's say I have a subscription to a stock photo site or I take pictures myself. I put an image in one of my membership sites that Google cannot crawl. Someone downloads the image and puts it in on their open site with a "free to use" license. Google would pick up on that and list accordingly.

      So, don't rely on this without checking further.

      Mark
    • I have done a reverse search on a couple images that i have found on google images, they are actively being used in many diffrent places across the web, does this mean that it is safe to use these images?
  • You can use the image; do some cropping add text to it. Now it's not original as is....
    So you should be fine. Don't just use them as is...
    • [1] reply
    • That's just wrong - I'm surprised we're still having to make this point.

      Cropping and adding text to a copyrighted image doesn't make it yours. The existing image owner or licensee still holds the copyright. If you're doing this for any kind of commercial intent, you leave yourself open to potential legal action.
      • [ 4 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • [DELETED]
  • The Unsplash website says their images are free to use, so I think you will be pretty safe there. Pixabay is another one.
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
  • You can use google images to your webebsite content. But you have to be careful about that. In general, google shows all the images as " Image may subject to copyright". But I recommend you to make your own images through free tools like Canva. I always create my own images for my content.
  • you can use pexels.com or pixabay.com
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Yes, there are plenty of free stock images sites that we can use for our web content. I don't think using the google images directly to our blog is a wise choice. Who knows if the image we take leads to us into a copyright claim!
  • It's better not to use google pictures. I would recommend you to use your own images.
    If you want to use google image, filter them out to see if those images are copyright free. If you don't know how to filter them " Tools ( right downside of the search bar)>usages right > labeled for reuse/labeled for reuse with modification " .
  • pexels.com has free (though a bit limited) and you can use them more freely than with other free places.


    The answer to your question, OP: Yes, many people have gotten in trouble for using images they grabbed from the internet. Some ended paying tens of thousands of dollars.
  • I generally use Pexels to download free copyright-free images in high resolution.
  • Don't.

    Why bother risking it?

    Go to pexels.com or pixabay.com and you'll find tons of royalty free images for you to use.
    • [ 4 ] Thanks
  • [DELETED]
  • Banned
    [DELETED]
  • I get images from pexels and pixabay. They have great collection of free to use images.
  • When I use them, I just credit the owner/URL, the text doesn't have to be too large
    • [1] reply
    • And if your website only gets a handful of visitors or doesn't earn much revenue, you might continue to get away with it. But the idea that simply crediting the owner absolves you from copyright infringement is a myth.
      • [ 3 ] Thanks
  • Hey Loicstdenis, Personally No to your question I haven't as I always make sure they are free to use for commercial purposes and that the pictures can be edited.
    As a tip if you can take a copy of the screen where it states free from whatever before you download anything at least you have some proof that this is what was stated. Hope that helps.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • What are you using the images for? If it's anything for print, definitely purchase from a real stock photo size, if anything else to get the right resolution.

    If it's for a blog, what's wrong giving credit where the image came from? All you have to do is link back.

    If something might be copyrighted, I don't think there's any harm in asking for permission to use someone's work and give them credit.

    My point is better to be safe than sorry. The worst you might get is a cease and desist, but things can always get worse.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Again, just giving credit doesn't make it OK to use an image.

      That sentence doesn't make sense. "The worst you might get is a C&D, but it could get worse?" So a C&D isn't the worst outcome then?
      • [1] reply
  • Looks like Google has changed their image search criterion. Now when you click on tools you have 2 choices: Creative Commons Licenses and Commercial and Other Licences...
  • Personally I always pay for images
    Sites like rf123 or deposit photos, you can buy credits and images end up costing 1 or 2 dollars each.

    But that is just how I do it

    al
    • [ 2 ] Thanks

  • They can't sue and win if they don't hold the copyright....you can't be sued and lose if you don't use an image in violation of copyright law.


    The concept of 'probably won't get caught' is not a good business practice.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Avoid using free images from google.
    make your own License infographic and images. This is the best practice for business.
  • I worked for a gaming company that got in trouble for using google images on their blog posts.

    Some game developers weren't happy. They contacted the company with a copywrite infringement notice. The result: we had to remove months of relevant content from the blog, and social media accounts, which impacted the company's website traffic.

    In a nutshell, it's months of hard work gone down the drain because people went the easy route of saving Google images (and they didn't know the consequences) rather than using stock photos for commercial use from sites like Shutterstock, iStock, or Pixabay.
    • [ 3 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • I worked for a company with a boss that just wanted me to grab google images.

      I didn't and I ended up using stock photos whenever I could.

      I knew if a lawyer came knocking it would be my ass, so I did everything to cover myself.
  • [DELETED]
  • 1. Simply download an image from Google.
    2. If it has any kind of watermark on it then you can use free online tools to remove watermarks.
    3. Make changes in it with the help of any easily useable photo editing application.
    4. Add text to it and make it customized.
    5. You may also place your business logo on it.
    Now, you have created a new picture that is different from the original one and free of any copyright issues.
    • [1] reply
    • Total BS. But at least other members now know how to regard any future "advice" you might offer.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Even though the images may seem free to use, it would never hurt if you purchase the copyright license from the owner. I mean, compared to what may follow if the owner wishes to pursue a legal suite you will have saved both your time and money.
Join the discussion

Next Topics on Trending Feed