Warning: Don’t Do This In A Blog Post or you just may be setting yourself up for a major lawsuit.
Humans are very visual creatures, 9 times out of 10 we will only stop and read a blog post or article in its entirety if it contains a picture, image, meme or video. However, we are not all creative or great photographers, so what can we do?
Only use images from free sites, because you can’t simply grab an image or picture all willy nilly from Google or another website and think it’s fine because you can be slapped with a lawsuit.
Recently, I received an email from a company that wanted to use this picture, one that I had taken in Atlantic City at a blogging event and had been posted on my blog many years ago.
They asked for permission to use it in a marketing campaign and stated that they would give me credit, of course, I said, “yes”. But had they used it without my permission I could have asked them to remove it or pay me for using it.
Even “Giving credit” is not enough to save you from a lawsuit. You can give all the credit you want to someone, but if you did not have their permission to use the photo, you expose yourself to liability for copyright infringement. Which is why they had to ask permission to use it.
Using images will definitely increase traffic to your blog, they keep the attention of your readers longer and if they are pretty pictures, most likely they will be shared across other Social Media platforms especially on Pinterest boards. These shared images can also link viewers back to your blog so they can read and see more.
If you are not a great photographer or don’t have fancy camera skills, here are a few great sites that I have personally used to get beautiful, free and legal photos to use on your blog.
This is a listing of sites with free photos. Some of those you named are there.
https://www.typeform.com/blog/ask-awesomely/free-pics/
Thank you Felicia, I will add them to the list.
Thanks. I was not familiar with 3 of them. Yours is a great picture so no wonder! It is always nice to be asked.
Yes, I had totally forgotten about it, and it was nice that they reached out to me, otherwise, I would have been none the wiser – lol
Thanks for the heads up on that. DNN has a few images on the site with attribution given to the originating source. If you have more recommendations for free stock image sites, feel free to send the sites on over. 🙂
Thank you, Drew, check out Felicia’s comment as she has listed some other great sites for free stock images.
Besides the lawsuit potential, it’s just plain rude to just swipe somebody’s images without permission. Much more honest and considerate to do what you suggest here!
So true Bonnie, but there are those who would prefer to use someone else’s images and others who honestly don’t realize that it’s not a free-for-all fair game even on social media.
Great post sis! I was taken notes!!! Plus saving in my Pinterest on my blogging help board! You always teach me something awesome.
You are more than welcome. Hope all is well on your side of the world.
Great advice! Pixabay is my go-to for free photos, but glad to know of the others. Pinning!
You are welcome: glad to share other sites.