How to Source Blog Images That Comply with Copyright Laws

When creating blog content, images must be sourced and cited correctly to comply with Creative Commons licenses.

What are Creative Commons licenses?

Creative Commons (CC) is a system of licenses that allows creators to share their work with different levels of permission for use, ranging from completely free public domain access to more restrictive options requiring attribution, non-commercial use, or prohibiting modifications. These licenses help users legally use, share, and build upon creative content while respecting the original creator’s rights.

In this article you'll find some best practices for citing images, including where to find free-to-use images, understanding Creative Commons licenses, and how to properly attribute them.

✨ Best Practices for Sourcing Images

1. Source from Free Photo Websites: We recommend using platforms like Unsplash or Pexels, where photos are freely available for use without requiring credit.
2. Filter Google Images: If you cannot find the right photo on a free photo website, we recommend strictly selecting photos from Google that are filtered under Creative Commons licenses and ensure proper attribution to the original photographer and source.
   
   
   To create the proper citation, we recommend using this free citation builder. It requires some digging on what the photo is titled, who photographed it, and what license the photo falls under. 
   • • There are six different types of Creative Commons licenses, and some are strict about not altering the image in any way (including cropping). To avoid any complications, refrain from cropping any of these images. If an image needs cropping to look right, try to find an alternative to ensure compliance. 
3. Research Wikipedia Images: While some images on Wikipedia are under Creative Commons licenses, always try to consistently verify and credit accordingly to comply with licensing requirements.