Which Images Can I Use For Free?

Using images on your website is an essential part of content marketing. However, copyright laws can make it a little tricky to know which ones you can use without breaking the law.

Thankfully, there are a number of different resources that can help you find free photos to use on your site. These include searchable image sites, create-your-own image tools, and more.

Pixabay

If you’re looking for images to use on your website, then Pixabay is an excellent choice. It has an extremely broad range of high-quality images and videos, all of which are free to download.

Moreover, Pixabay uses a Creative Commons CC0 license, meaning that it permits the usage of its content for both commercial and non-commercial purposes. You don’t need to give attribution or ask permission before using it, but you should always check the license before you use any images or videos.

However, it is important to note that some of the images and videos on Pixabay are not suitable for all types of uses, especially those that feature identifiable people and objects. For example, it’s not a good idea to use pictures of the Statue of Liberty or the Eiffel Tower in ads that are meant to promote your business.

Another thing to be aware of is that Pixabay does not permit the resale of its images or videos. This is a major issue that you should take into consideration, as it can lead to legal trouble down the line.

While it’s not the best-known source of free stock images, Pixabay does offer a great selection that is perfect for almost any project you have in mind. In fact, it has over a million photos and other files for you to download.

The collection is also quite diverse, with a wide range of subjects to choose from. For example, there are images of children and animals, as well as abstract art and photography.

If you’re not sure which type of image you need, there are plenty of filters to help you find the right one. There’s also an option to sort the contents into collections. This makes it easier to find the perfect file for your project.

Unsplash

Unsplash is an excellent source for free stock photography that you can use on your website and in your blog posts. It’s an open source platform that features high-resolution photos and images from a community of photographers. They are categorized by topic and can be searched for using keywords or tags.

They have been used to create websites, brochures, and other products for businesses, independent creators, and non-profits. They’re licensed under creative commons, so you can reuse them without paying the photographer.

The site is a great way to find free images that are well-curated and easy to search. It also offers a large community of contributors, many of whom upload new pictures daily.

But be sure to check the copyright of the image before using it. Some people use photographs from Unsplash to profit from their work without the permission of the photographer, and this can lead to legal issues.

While there are no restrictions on using Unsplash photos for personal or editorial purposes, it’s important to give the photographer attribution and mention the source in your article. In addition, celebrities tend to have additional rights that limit commercial use, so it’s important to understand those before you use their images.

Another consideration is whether the photo has been significantly modified or resized to make it suitable for use as a stock image. If it has been edited, it’s not allowed to be sold online or offline unless you have been granted an attribution license from the photographer.

It’s also not acceptable to add text or watermarks to Unsplash photos. Over-edited photos are not accepted, and images that include nudity or violence are not permitted.

Pexels

Pexels is a free stock photo site that allows users to download and use photos without a fee or membership. In addition to providing access to thousands of images, it also offers a creative commons license and an easy-to-use interface.

It’s a popular platform for content creators, bloggers, and anyone else looking to add visuals to their website or blog. The website’s simple interface allows users to locate media quickly and efficiently, allowing them to find images that meet their specific design goals.

The best part about Pexels is that it accepts contributions from all over the world. Its contributors have a history of sharing high-quality, professional work.

In addition, Pexels has a number of perks for its top-quality contributors. These include a Heroes program that incentivizes them to upload imagery and share their expertise on the platform. They also host contests and challenges that incentivize contributors to capture specific subjects, such as Earth Day or Valentine’s Day.

Pexels offers images that are licensed under the creative commons zero license, which means that they are free to use for personal and commercial purposes. However, attribution is still appreciated. You can also edit and modify the images to suit your needs, and you are free to donate a small amount to the photographer.

It’s a good choice for busy content creators and social media users who want to support their favorite artists. Its collection of illustrations and vectors is not as extensive as some other free stock sites, but it’s an excellent source for unique images that can make your website or social media stand out. The user interface is straightforward and easy to use, and the site offers a number of helpful filters and search tools.

Picjumbo

Picjumbo is a free stock photo website with a large collection of high-quality images. It was founded in 2013 by designer & photographer Viktor Hanacek. According to his story, he was frustrated with the way many royalty-free image websites rejected his photos for “lack of quality”.

As a result, he decided to create his own site and set out to build an amazing collection of free stock photos. To date, picjumbo has over eight million downloads and a thriving community of users.

With new photos added daily, picjumbo is an incredibly comprehensive collection of images that spans a broad range of topics. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a diverse selection of photos to use on their website, blog, or design projects.

The library is curated in a very professional manner, making it easy to browse. There are categories that focus on different themes, such as travel, business, architecture, sports, abstract and nature.

Another feature that makes picjumbo stand out is that it has a very modern design that is very pleasing to the eye. This is an important factor for any stock image site, as it can help to establish a brand and make the user feel like they’re working with a top-notch resource.

In addition to offering a free version, Picjumbo also has a premium subscription option that gives you access to a more expansive and diverse library of stock photos. The membership comes with a batch-download option and monthly emails with new collections. There are three plans to choose from, including an Agency Plan which is a great deal for creative firms and marketing agencies.

Flickr

Flickr is a photo-sharing website that offers many different features and is used by both professional and amateur photographers. It also has an online community and is popular with bloggers who use it to store images that they link to in their posts.

Whether you are a professional or amateur photographer, you can upload and share your photos to Flickr for free. However, if you are serious about photography, you may want to consider signing up for a Pro account to get access to more features and an ad-free experience.

The main benefits of a Pro account include unlimited storage, ad-free browsing, and access to account statistics. You can also display your images at resolutions of up to 6K, which makes them look better on large screens.

Another great thing about Flickr is that you can find images by using their search feature. To do this, you can add a keyword and run a search.

You can also use the Flickr “advanced search” option to find images that have a Creative Commons license, which means they are free to use for certain purposes without requiring permission from the owner of the image.

For example, you can use an image to promote a blog post or business if it is licensed under a Creative Commons attribution-based license. You can also use it for non-commercial purposes as long as you provide a backlink to the original image.

In addition, Flickr’s Pro account includes ad-free browsing and unlimited storage of photos and videos. It also offers desktop and mobile Auto-Uploadr, which automatically backs up your files to prevent them from getting lost or deleted. There are also settings you can change to keep your photos safe and out of the hands of strangers.