Yes, there are 100s of 1000s of images all over the Internet.  But just because you can see an image doesn’t mean you can use the image in your website, emails, social media or printed materials.

How to Check the Copyright Status of an Image

1. Look at and around the image. Often the photographer’s name or copyright will be in a caption below the image. If you see the notification, you need to contact the photographer or owner for permission to use the image.
2. Look for a watermark in the image. The photographer/owner will put the notification right in the image. DO NOT under any circumstances, remove or hide the watermark and use the image.
3. Look for metadata. Right click on the image in Windows and look at the Properties info. On a MAC, open the image in preview then look at Tools. The ownership should be deliniated there. Contact the owner before using the image.
4. Do a Google reverse search.
   1. Open Google images.
   2. Drag the image into the search bar.
   3. Google will offer you the ownership information or a choice of Exact matches. Click the exact matches to look further for ownership.

If in doubt, don’t use the image!

There are bots that are used by companies and law firms to find their images used illegally. When they find an image, you will get a letter telling you how much you owe them for the use of the image. It can be anywhere from $20 to thousands. It’s pretty hard to fight that kind of legal action when you have the means to look for owner information.  (NOTE!! There are some bad players in the world like Higbee & Associates who pretend to work on copyright issues. Beware!)

Creative Commons license

This is an image that is in the public domain and can be used by anyone.

Where To Look For Free Images

Google Images

1. Search for the image you want (EX: puppies)
2. On the 2^nd navigation menu, look for Usage rights.
3. Click the drop-down menu.
4. Select Creative Commons licenses.
   This selection is not 100% dependable to keep your eyes open as you look at
   specific images.

Unsplash.com

Getty Search Gateway

Pexels free and paid

Pixabay free and paid

Free Public Domain

Pinterest  maybe, maybe not

Flickr  maybe, maybe not

Adobe, iStock, Shutterstock, Getty will occasionally have a free image but not often. Be careful if you use anything from them.

If you are a rep or distributor or reseller for a manufacturer, your contact with them most likely gives you permission to use their images. They want you to use their images as often as possible!  But, if in doubt, ask them!