There’s a new industry of litigators in the US, and they’re looking for you.
You’re creating a post for your business.
You search Google Images.
You find the perfect photo and download it. Simple.
Not exactly, because when you use that image online, it can easily be discovered using reverse image search. Many photographers, stock libraries, and lawyers use automated tools to scan websites for unlicensed images.
More and more businesses are getting sued for using images they don’t have permission to use.
Using images without the proper license is one of the most common and risky mistakes businesses make online. Many people assume that if an image is on the internet, it’s free to use. In reality, most images are protected by copyright the moment they are created.
Let’s look at how to avoid that.
Every photo online belongs to someone. Usually a photographer, designer, or agency owns the rights to that image. When you download and use it without permission, it’s considered copyright infringement.
The safest approach is simple: Only use images you have the right to use.
Thankfully, there are several platforms that offer free stock images that are safe for commercial use.
Here are some of the most widely used options:
Pixabay offers a large library of photos, illustrations and graphics that are free to use for commercial purposes. Most images can be used without attribution, although crediting the creator is always appreciated.
It’s a great option for blog images, social media graphics and website visuals.
Unsplash is known for its high-quality photography. Many businesses use it for modern lifestyle and business images that feel more natural than traditional stock photos.
Images are free to download and use commercially, but they cannot be resold or redistributed as standalone images.
Pexels provides free photos and videos that are safe for commercial use. It’s particularly useful if you’re creating social media content, short-form video posts or website visuals.
The platform also integrates directly with tools like Canva, which makes it easy to use in designs.
Even when images are “free,” there are still limitations.
For example:
Photos containing recognizable people may require model releases
Images with visible brands or logos may have restrictions
You cannot sell the image itself as a product
Always check the license on the image page before using it.
Free stock sites make things easier, but it’s still your responsibility to use images correctly.
Many businesses design their marketing materials in Canva. Canva provides access to a large library of free and Pro images that can be used in marketing designs.
However, there’s an important rule. You cannot simply download a Canva stock image and post it by itself.
Canva’s license requires that their photos, graphics and elements are used as part of a design or composition.
That means the image should be incorporated into something like:
What you shouldn’t do is:
The image needs to be part of a creative design, not just reused on its own.
If you’re posting content regularly, follow these guidelines:
These small steps can protect your business from legal trouble and help you maintain professional standards.
Images are a powerful part of marketing. They make your content more engaging, memorable and professional. Taking a few extra minutes to use properly licensed images ensures your website, blog and social media stay compliant and credible.
The last thing any business owner wants is to get caught using the wrong image.
