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Is it OK to use Google Images on your blog?

by pepper81 Banned
26 replies
I am new to affiliate marketing and was wondering if it was OK to use pictures from Google images in my blog posts.

I read a lot of different blogs and see people using the same pictures from Google Images in their posts. Is this legal?
#blog #google #images
  • Profile picture of the author WilliamBlah
    Originally Posted by pepper81 View Post

    I am new to affiliate marketing and was wondering if it was OK to use pictures from Google images in my blog posts.

    I read a lot of different blogs and see people using the same pictures from Google Images in their posts. Is this legal?
    Not if they don't have permission.

    There is a list of free royalty free (i.e. you do not have to pay a royalty, OR a usage cost) image sites here:

    25 Free Stock Photo Sites :: Digital Image Magazine

    Be sure to check whether you need to provide a credit and/or a link back.

    Regards
    Will
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  • Profile picture of the author megawarrior
    Originally Posted by pepper81 View Post

    I read a lot of different blogs and see people using the same pictures from Google Images in their posts. Is this legal?
    May be they got it from the same stock image source?

    It's better to use royalty-free stock photos since the results from Google images may be copyrighted.
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    • Profile picture of the author paul_1
      Originally Posted by megawarrior View Post

      May be they got it from the same stock image source?

      It's better to use royalty-free stock photos since the results from Google images may be copyrighted.
      I agree... it's better to be on the safe side than be sorry later.
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  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    Only Google can get away with using pictures that don't belong to them for profit. I'm told if you question this, you may get a knock on your door that you won't want to answer.

    Everybody else must have permission from the copyright holder or use royalty free images.
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    Founder of JVZoo. All around good guy :)

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    • Profile picture of the author Nate D
      Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

      Only Google can get away with using pictures that don't belong to them for profit. I'm told if you question this, you may get a knock on your door that you won't want to answer.

      Everybody else must have permission from the copyright holder or use royalty free images.
      Sounds like Google runs the world. I hope by typing this that google doesn't send people dressed in black to my door.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheNightOwl
      Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

      Only Google can get away with using pictures that don't belong to them for profit.
      ha ha ha ha ha!


      Originally Posted by rashoman View Post

      it;s ok with me
      Love it.
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    • Profile picture of the author humbledmarket
      Banned
      Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

      Only Google can get away with using pictures that don't belong to them for profit. I'm told if you question this, you may get a knock on your door that you won't want to answer.

      Everybody else must have permission from the copyright holder or use royalty free images.
      IMHO in a sense the website owners conceeded to this by allowing google to index their site. They could choose to select no follow and not have anything to be indexed.

      So in a sense they are giving google permission to do so. I guess by selecting privacy of your site to allow search engine indexes you might be contending to their TOS?

      Not only google but bing and yahoo as well.

      To answer the OP question however, You can't randomly pick pictures of google to use.

      HOWEVER

      Google has a search feature that allows you to search pictures permitted for redistribution and commercial use.
      Google Advanced Image Search
      (scroll down to the bottom)

      Please note these are just my opinion
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      • Profile picture of the author REHughes
        Originally Posted by humbledmarket View Post


        To answer the OP question however, You can't randomly pick pictures of google to use.

        HOWEVER

        Google has a search feature that allows you to search pictures permitted for redistribution and commercial use.
        Google Advanced Image Search
        (scroll down to the bottom)
        Above is the only sure way to use Google images.
        Below is quoted straight from Google's TOS:

        ....You may not use content from our Services unless you obtain permission from its owner or are otherwise permitted by law. These terms do not grant you the right to use any branding or logos used in our Services.....

        Straight from the horse's mouth!

        Hope this helps,
        Robert
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  • Profile picture of the author CrusadeKnight
    Well , it's better to use photos that are royalty free . It's still safe to use images from google but still it's much better to get royalty free images ! Better safe than sorry!
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    • Profile picture of the author John Coutts
      Originally Posted by CrusadeKnight View Post

      Well , it's better to use photos that are royalty free . It's still safe to use images from google but still it's much better to get royalty free images ! Better safe than sorry!

      Originally Posted by sabulba View Post

      hi...
      if you are using the Google images then it is ok until you are not using the brand name images. it there is image having the brand name or indicate specific company product then it is illegal. so be sharp while choosing the image from Google.
      It is NOT "safe" or "OK" to use Google images without being absolutely certain that you do indeed have copyright permission to use the image.

      Brand name images and a picture of someone's cat, or whatever, all come under exactly the same copyright laws, and they all require permission before you can legally use them. I am not a lawyer, but I think you will find this to be true.

      Yes, people do use Google images and the like without permission, but they are putting themselves at serious risk. Getty Images, for example, will slap you with a bill for several thousand dollars, and you will have to pay it too, if you use one of their images without permission.

      Try telling them that someone in a forum said is was "safe to use," or "OK." Good luck with that!

      All images are protected by copyright and require permission if you want to use them. As already stated elsewhere in this thread, there are a number of sites that allow their images to be freely used without charge.

      If you really want to stay "safe" and "OK," only use images that you KNOW are copyright free to use, or obtain the necessary permission and/or pay for the right to use the images.

      John.
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      • Profile picture of the author REHughes
        I have to agree with John Coutts here.

        This discussion has been had far too many times due to someone just "grabbing" an image from google or elsewhere and sticking it in their website. This is considered "piracy" or "theft" or whatever you desire to call it, and is not legal.
        Also, be sure that just because you find an image you like and it says "royalty free" that you don't assume you can use it for free. That simply means the owner doesn't make money by you showing this picture on your site. Many of these still have a purchase fee up front.

        So, in other words, "Free Stock Photo" and "Royalty Free Photo" DO NOT mean the same thing.

        There have been instances here on the forum recently where someone was approached by attorneys seeking thousands to settle an incident of this nature.

        USER BEWARE!

        Robert
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  • Profile picture of the author Coolstro
    Images for BlogsWhere To Find Free Images For Your Blog
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  • Profile picture of the author robie
    Try this website : stock.xchng - the leading free stock photography site
    In my opinion, it's the best place for free images.
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  • Profile picture of the author rashoman
    it;s ok with me
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  • Profile picture of the author Sabhansali
    Like the other guy said, only if it is authorized.
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    • Profile picture of the author Green Moon
      A few stock photo houses make a great deal of money off suing and collecting statutory copyright damages from website owners. They don't have to even prove that they were actually injured and can get huge monetary awards.

      I wouldn't even think about using images you just plucked off Google Images.
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  • Profile picture of the author whitestonesolicitorsuk
    Big G is ultimate but very strict now a days with everything. Using royalty free images as per suggested by other Warriors above would be a good idea as taking useless risks is never recommended.
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  • Profile picture of the author icegin
    Definitely be cautious about where you obtain your images -- finding pictures via the Google image search tab doesn't mean that the pictures themselves belong to Google. A lot of people still seem to be under the impression that everything on Google images is up for grabs. Err on the safe side and visit the original site to verify whether the picture(s) is free to use.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Gray
    If you use pictures which are copyrighted then you are breaking several laws.

    The best thing to do is contact the web-master or if it specifically states the owner of the picture and ask.

    However i dont actually take my own advice, i wonder what would happen of the person that designed the tattoo i have on my neck found out lol - could get ugly....

    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author jostified
    Originally Posted by pepper81 View Post

    I am new to affiliate marketing and was wondering if it was OK to use pictures from Google images in my blog posts.

    I read a lot of different blogs and see people using the same pictures from Google Images in their posts. Is this legal?
    To the best of my knowledge, there is advanced search on google.
    Under this section, you will see "usage right". Once you specify "FREE TO USE or SHARE", then you are free to use the images.

    To the best of my knowledge, using google images once they are "free to use and share" is safe.

    Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author onegoodman
    How do you think these companies come late to sue other like

    They have it in google, you use it and later on they claim you stole it lol.

    Hire graphic designer and avoid this mess
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  • Profile picture of the author GeraldNitram
    Have you tried directly asking the owners of the picture that you find in Google images if you can use those images on your site? Well, of course, you have to give them credit by mentioning their names on your site and giving them good backlinks to their site. That way, you also have built a relationship.
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  • Profile picture of the author AlexCN
    Originally Posted by pepper81 View Post

    I am new to affiliate marketing and was wondering if it was OK to use pictures from Google images in my blog posts.

    I read a lot of different blogs and see people using the same pictures from Google Images in their posts. Is this legal?
    No, do NOT do it. Simple as that. If your site has any commercial intent at all, Google Images is that absolute worst place to get photos from. If they don't get you today, they will get you tomorrow.

    There are great places you can get free images, and also some low priced photo sites that you can get really nice images meant for commercial use.

    Always, ALWAYS check the license. If there is any gray area at all, assume that you can't do it!
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  • Profile picture of the author loribethel
    Banned
    some ebook say it is good to put images for SEO don't forget to put alt.. i think some picture have copyright you must careful to post on your blog
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  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    You can, but all it takes is one person finding out that you're doing it and if you don't have permission to use the graphics, they can actually sue you. Happened to a friend of mine who hired a designer out of Pakistan. They used copywritten images in the design, but buddy got nailed for $700 in fines. Use either PLR images or something from a royalty free stock photo site.
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