A picture is worth a thousand words, and on a blog, the right image can capture attention, break up text, and make your content more engaging. But finding and using images isn’t as simple as saving a picture from a Google search. Navigating the world of image licensing can be confusing, and a mistake could lead to legal trouble.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using images on your blog. We’ll explore different types of licenses, explain what you can and can’t do, recommend some great free image websites, and even cover the technical side of choosing the right file format.

Understanding Image Licenses: What Can You Actually Use?

Not all “free” images are truly free to use however you want. Image use is governed by licenses that dictate the rules. Here are the most common types you’ll encounter.

Public Domain

This is the most permissive category. A public domain image is not protected by intellectual property laws like copyright. This can be because the copyright has expired, the creator has expressly waived all rights, or the work was created by a U.S. government agency.

• What you can do: Almost anything. You can download, copy, modify, and distribute the image, even for commercial purposes, without asking for permission or providing credit.
• What you can’t do: There are very few restrictions. You just can’t claim you created the image yourself.

Creative Commons (CC)

Creative Commons is a non-profit organization that provides a set of standardized licenses to help creators share their work while retaining some rights. Think of it as “some rights reserved” instead of “all rights reserved.” There are several types of CC licenses, each with different rules.

• CC0 (Creative Commons Zero): This is essentially the same as Public Domain. The creator has waived all their rights, and you can use the work freely for any purpose without attribution.
• CC BY (Attribution): You can use the image for any purpose (including commercially), but you must give credit to the original creator.
• CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike): You can use and modify the image, but you must give credit, and if you create a new work based on it, you have to license your new creation under the same CC BY-SA terms.
• CC BY-ND (Attribution-NoDerivs): You can use the image but must give credit and cannot modify it in any way. You have to use it as-is.
• CC BY-NC (Attribution-NonCommercial): You can use and modify the image with credit, but not for commercial purposes. If your blog runs ads or sells products, that’s considered commercial use.

Royalty-Free

This is a common license type on paid stock photo sites, but you can find it on free sites, too. “Royalty-free” doesn’t mean the image is free of cost. It means you pay a one-time fee (or get it for free from certain sites) to use the image multiple times without paying a “royalty” for each use.

• What you can do: You can generally use the image in multiple projects without additional fees. Most royalty-free licenses allow for commercial use.
• What you can’t do: You usually can’t resell the image itself. Read the license agreement from the specific site, as there may be other restrictions (e.g., limits on print runs).

Key Questions Answered

Is it okay to just download and modify an image?

It depends entirely on the license.

• Yes, definitely: For Public Domain and CC0 images.
• Yes, with conditions: For most Creative Commons (CC BY, CC BY-SA) and Royalty-Free licenses, modification is allowed.
• No, never: For licenses with a “NoDerivs” (ND) clause, like CC BY-ND.

Modifying can mean cropping, adding text, applying a filter, or combining it with other images. Always check the license terms before you open your photo editor.

Should I leave a reference or credit for the image on my blog?

Again, it depends on the license.

• Required: For any license with the “Attribution” (BY) condition. Proper attribution usually includes the work’s title, a link to the creator’s profile, and a link to the license itself. A simple caption like “Photo by [Creator’s Name] on [Website]” is often sufficient.
• Not Required, but a Nice Gesture: For Public Domain, CC0, and many royalty-free licenses, attribution isn’t legally required. However, it’s considered good practice and a kind way to thank the creator for their work.

Rule of thumb: When in doubt, provide credit. It’s better to be safe and courteous.

The Best Places to Find Free and Legal Images

Forget Google Images. Head straight to these websites that offer high-quality photos with clear licensing terms.

1. Unsplash: A massive collection of beautiful, high-resolution photos contributed by photographers worldwide. All photos fall under the Unsplash license, which is very similar to CC0, allowing you to use them for free for any purpose without attribution.
2. Pexels: Offers a huge library of both photos and videos. The Pexels license is also very permissive, letting you use and modify content for free for personal and commercial projects.
3. Pixabay: Another excellent source for photos, illustrations, vector graphics, and videos. Content on Pixabay is generally covered by a license similar to CC0, making it safe for most uses without attribution.
4. Canva: While known as a design tool, Canva has a large built-in library of free photos and graphics you can use directly in your blog post images, featured images, and social media graphics.
5. Wikimedia Commons: A database of millions of freely usable media files. It’s a treasure trove, but you must pay close attention to the specific license listed for each individual file, as they vary widely.

JPEG vs. PNG: Which Format Should You Use?

After you find the perfect image, you need to save it in the right format. The two most common choices for web use are JPEG and PNG.

Use JPEG for:

• Photographs: JPEGs are great at handling the millions of colors and complex gradients found in real-life photos.
• Balancing Quality and File Size: JPEG uses “lossy” compression, meaning it removes some image data to make the file smaller. You can adjust the compression level to find a good balance between a clear image and a fast-loading page. A fast website is crucial for SEO and user experience.

Use PNG for:

• Graphics with Text or Sharp Lines: Think logos, illustrations, charts, and infographics. PNG uses “lossless” compression, so it preserves all the detail, keeping lines and text crisp and clean.
• Images with Transparency: The biggest advantage of PNG is its support for transparent backgrounds. If you want to place a logo on a colored background without a white box around it, you need a PNG.

In summary, for most of your blog’s photographic needs, a well-compressed JPEG is the best choice. For logos or graphics requiring transparency, use PNG.

By understanding these simple rules and using the right resources, you can confidently enhance your blog with stunning visuals without worrying about legal issues.