You see a photo, you right click it and save it to your desktop. It’s pretty, so you upload it to the blog post you’re writing. You add a link back to the source and maybe even the photographer’s name. You hit publish and think, job done.
Stop. You can’t do that.
You cannot take somebody else’s image from the internet and post it to your own blog or website just as and when you please — even if you credit them, even if you link back, even if you don’t make any money from it.
I’ve known bloggers who’ve been contacted by photographers and asked for compensation. It’s not as rare as you’d think, and it can get expensive and stressful fast. Most bloggers don’t even realise they’ve done anything wrong — but unfortunately, not knowing isn’t a defence.
So let’s get up to date on using images on your blog legally in 2026.
The Rules About Using Images on Your Blog
There are some things that people believe to be correct about using images on blogs. Let’s go through them to make sure we’re all on the same page.
Can I Use Google Images on My Blog?
No — you cannot take pictures from Google Images and put them on your blog. This is one of the most common mistakes bloggers make. Google Images is a search engine for images that are hosted on other people’s websites. It pulls them from real sites (like yours or mine) based on file names, alt text, and captions. It is not a library of free-to-use images, and appearing in Google search results does not make an image available for public use.
The one exception: Google does have a “Creative Commons licences” filter in its image search tools. If you click Tools > Usage Rights > Creative Commons licences, you’ll see images that have been shared with permissions. However, even then, you need to check the specific licence on each image — some allow commercial use, some don’t, some require attribution. Filtering by Creative Commons is a starting point, not a green light.
Bottom line: don’t assume any Google image is free to use. It almost certainly isn’t.
Can I Use Images from Pinterest on My Blog?
This is probably the question I get asked most often now, and the answer is: almost certainly no. Pinterest is an image-sharing platform, not an image licensing platform. When someone pins an image to Pinterest, they don’t transfer any rights to that image — they’re just sharing it. The original copyright still belongs to whoever created or took the photograph. Using images from Pinterest on your blog is the same as using images from Google: the fact that they’re publicly visible doesn’t mean they’re free to use. The original photographer or creator still owns the rights.
What about re-pinning? Re-pinning an image within Pinterest is different — that’s what the platform is designed for. But saving a Pinterest image to your desktop and then uploading it to your own blog or website is a different matter entirely.
What if the pin links back to a blog post? Still doesn’t make it yours to use. You’d need to contact the original source and ask permission.
The only exception: If the pin links to a free stock image site (like Unsplash or Pexels), and the image on that site is genuinely free to use, then you can use that image — but go to the original source to download it properly, rather than saving it from Pinterest.
Bottom line: Pinterest is for inspiration, not for sourcing images for your blog.
Linking Back to the Source
Linking back to the source of the image does not make it okay to post an image that does not belong to you, unless clearly stated by the copyright owner.
Adding a Disclaimer to Your Site
You may have seen some blogs add a disclaimer somewhere on their website saying something like:
I do not claim to own all images shown on this blog, all images are assumed to be in the public domain. If there is an image on this blog belonging to you, please e-mail me and it will be removed immediately.
This does not waive you of any violation of copyright law you break.
Embedding Images (Hotlinking)
If you embed a picture from another site on your blog, rather than upload it to your own server, it doesn’t release you of liability. Just because you haven’t made a copy or uploaded it to your server doesn’t make it right. This is known as hotlinking. Not only that, but you’re technically stealing bandwidth too. If the owner of the site where the image originally was cottons on to what you’ve done, they could even replace the image with something else entirely — and you’d have no control over what then appears on your blog.
Other Common Misconceptions
Removing the photo on request, not claiming to own the photo, not making any money from the photo, giving the photographer’s name, or not realising you’ve done something wrong will not prevent you from being sued and having to pay out a hefty sum.
How to Use Images on Your Blog Legally
The best way to make sure you’re using images on your blog legally is to use your own photos wherever possible. Taken on your phone or camera, shot on a day trip, snapped in your kitchen — your own images are always safe, and they’re better for your brand too. But if you need images beyond your own, here’s what your options actually are in 2026:
1. Free Stock Image Sites
There are some genuinely excellent free stock image sites now — far more than when I first wrote this post. These are images that photographers have uploaded and explicitly made free to use (sometimes with attribution required, sometimes not):
- Unsplash — High quality, free for commercial and personal use, no attribution required (though appreciated)
- Pexels — Similar to Unsplash, excellent quality, free to use
- Pixabay — Large library of photos, illustrations and vectors, free to use
- Canva Free — Canva’s built-in image library has thousands of free images you can use in graphics and export for your blog
- Flickr Creative Commons — Still a great resource, but read the specific licence on each image carefully as they vary
- Burst by Shopify — Free photos, especially good for lifestyle and product content
Always read the licence terms before using any image, even from these sites. Most are straightforward, but some require you to credit the photographer.
2. Paid Stock Image Sites
If you need a wider range or specific styles, paid sites give you legal clarity:
- Adobe Stock — Integrates with Photoshop and Lightroom if you use Creative Cloud
- Shutterstock — Huge library, subscription or per-image pricing
- iStock by Getty Images — Another solid option with flexible pricing
3. AI-Generated Images
This is entirely new since 2014! Tools like Adobe Firefly, Canva’s AI generator, and Microsoft Designer let you create completely original images from a text prompt. Because you’re generating them yourself, you generally own the output (always check each platform’s terms, as these vary slightly). AI images are genuinely useful for blog post headers, social media graphics, and conceptual illustrations where you’d previously have needed a stock photo. The quality has improved enormously. Tools to try:
- Adobe Firefly — Built into Adobe products, commercially safe to use
- Canva AI Image Generator — Easy to use, included in Canva free and Pro plans
- Microsoft Designer / Copilot — Free AI image generation from Microsoft
4. Ask Permission
If you want to use a specific image — from a brand, a photographer, or another blogger — just ask. Most people will say yes as long as you credit them and link back. Get the permission in writing (even an email is fine) so you have a record of it.
5. Reverse Image Search
Worth knowing: there are tools that let image owners find out exactly who’s using their photos. Google Reverse Image Search, TinEye, and others let anyone upload an image and find every site it appears on. Photographers and image agencies do use these — especially for commercial-looking blogs. Don’t assume you won’t be found.
FAQ: Using Images on Your Blog
Can I use Google Images on my blog?
No. Google Images is a search engine that indexes images from across the web — it doesn’t grant any permission to use those images. The photos you find there still belong to their original creators. Taking them and posting them on your blog is copyright infringement, even if you link back to the source. The only exception is if you specifically filter by Creative Commons licence and check the terms on the original image.
Can I use images from Pinterest on my blog?
No. Pinterest is a platform for discovering and sharing images, not for licensing them. Images pinned on Pinterest still belong to their original creators. Saving a Pinterest image and uploading it to your blog is the same as taking it directly from the original website — the pin doesn’t transfer any rights. Use Pinterest for inspiration, then source a similar image from a legitimate free stock site like Unsplash or Pexels.
Can I use an image if I credit the photographer?
Crediting the photographer is respectful and good practice, but it doesn’t make using a copyrighted image legal. Copyright is about permission, not credit. You need the owner’s permission to use their image — credit alone isn’t enough.
What images can I legally use on my blog for free?
Your own photos are always safe. Beyond that, look for images from sites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay that are explicitly released for free use. You can also use images with a Creative Commons licence (check the specific terms), AI-generated images you’ve created yourself, or any image you’ve been given written permission to use.
Is it okay to embed an image rather than uploading it?
No. Embedding an image (hotlinking) from another site doesn’t make it legal to display on your blog — you’re still using someone else’s image without permission, and using their server bandwidth too.
What happens if I use an image illegally on my blog?
At minimum, you’ll likely be asked to remove it. At worst, the image owner can send a legal notice and demand compensation — this is more common than people think, especially with professional photographers or image agencies. Being unaware of copyright law is not a legal defence.
Final Thoughts on Using Blog Images Legally
The core rule hasn’t changed since 2014: if you didn’t take it, make it, or pay for it, assume you can’t use it. The good news is that in 2026, there’s genuinely no reason to use images illegally. Between free stock sites, AI image generators, and the ability to take decent photos on a smartphone, there are more ways than ever to illustrate your blog posts with original, legal imagery. Your own images will always serve your blog better anyway — they’re unique, they reflect your brand, and Google values original content. Think of it as an opportunity rather than a limitation!
Wow!! This was so informative and scary actually – Learned a lot and definitely need to keep this in mind in the future!!!
Thank you, once again your post is filled with really helpful tips and advice!!
It is scary!
Interesting, and scary stuff!
THANK YOU. I’m so sick of seeing bloggers use images illegally and think it’s OK because they linked back (to the person they stole it from!) or have a disclaimer essentially saying, “I’ve no idea who these images belong to, so don’t blame me if I’ve stolen from you!” As you point out, these things do not make it OK to steal other people’s work, and you can still find yourself in a lot of trouble over it!
This post scares me.I use many pictures to illustrate my post of films I post on sundays and sometimes I have taken some pictures from other blogs. Interesting, scary question today, Corinne. Kissses:)
Think ofbit this way: your car is in front of your house, someone takes it, uses it for a week, and when you protest they say ‘but it was there, how could I have known it was someone’s private property?’ It’s the same thing when you use someone else’s work, even if you’re not making money out of it. They put a lot of time and effort into their work, they get to decide if, when and how it is used, or by who. Imagine you made a really nice cake for your mother, spent hours decorating it. And then your neighbor sees it and says ‘hey, this is just what I need, I’ll just take it off your hands, thanks!’ Lovely, huh?
good post!!!!
I definitely agree with you. I didn’t really know it could be THAT risky.
thanks for sharing this useful post dear!
happy weekend!
kiss
A great post I think people are either very naive or know they are doing something wrong and just don’t care. You wouldn’t dream of stealing text from a book, a scene from a film this is a copyright breach. So many blogs have images taken from other sites and bloggers. Great informative post and hopefully you will enlighten a few people Lucy x
wow, very informative and helpful
You just saved my entre blogging LIFE! I’m going to go and change all of my pics and replace them with my own. Ouch…so thankful for this post! Xo!
I almost always buy $1 images from photodune.net. That’s one less latte a week. If I blog 5 X per week X 52 weeks it comes out to $260 a year. And don’t forget you can reuse some of those bought images, too. No need to just “grab” images.
I think there will be lots of people surprised by this, as am I. I would have thought many sites would like the free publicity.
It’s not ‘free publicity’ when you steal someone else’s work. You can always contact them and ask if you can use their pictures (and link back to the original source). Would you go grab a dress from a shop, just to give the shop ‘free publicity’, without asking if they’d be ok with that?
Great post! I take my own photos for my blog, however I do post fashion editorials.
this is an incredible write-up & i’m so so glad i’ve found it!! what a good thing that i’ve never ever dreamed of using any kind of stock photography. good thing for me to learn that people who stick disclaimers aren’t waived of liability, too. just in case i see any of my photos flying around (god forbid!). thanks for writing this, Corrine! keep up the amazing work btw.
Great article! I just ran into this issue. My blog tests, reviews, and rates Pinterest Pins. The only image that I use that isn’t my own is the original pin. I notify the original source/blogger that they are going to be Pintested. All credit goes back to the original source with several mentions, hyperlinks, and such. I understand and respect intellectual property.
This week I had a blogger thank me for the post (she got 5 out of 5 pins), but requested that I take down the picture. I was rather stunned since I was careful to give her all of the credit. She kindly explained that while she appreciated the added exposure, she is a professional photographer and wished to keep her work on her own sites. When put that way, I was quick to take down the picture with extra links to the source.
Even with the best of intentions, I made a guffaw. Your post put this so well. I’ll be sharing it on Pinterest. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this! It’s crazy how serious is can get!
Hayley-Eszti
Great post Corinne!
It’s worth noting too that there are free stock images available for use on your sites such as stockfreeimages.com.
There really is no excuse for stealing other people’s work. Not only is your integrity at stake but also your bank balance as you’ve said x
Great article and very useful. I read recently though that if someone has posted images on a social media site then they lose their rights and people are free to pin, tweet etc. Is this incorrect? What about pinterest or facebook? Many thanks
Wow. Okay. This is definitely something I need to think about. I’ve just been google imaging and embedding, and blogger has a URL image select section too… Okay. I guess from now on I’ll be using my own images?
-M
The Life of Little Me
The blogger image from URL is for if you wish to host your blog pictures somewhere else, like Photobucket and then use on your blog, rather than upload straight to blogger which has a storage limit 🙂
This is a great post. I only use my own images but this kind of stuff is also really handy to know for any future blogging. There are so many things people don’t realise when blogging.
This is so useful! I’d like to think I’m fairly aware of copyright but I know that a lot of bloggers would think that by just giving credit to the image owner, they’re home and dry! I personally think that creating your own images is part of the fun when blogging 🙂
I can’t believe anyone would be so naive as to think they could just copy any image as they please! And these disclaimers that they fo not own the images they use, that’s even worse. It’s sheer lazyness, they can’t be bothered to contact the copyright owner… I mark all my images with a copyright sign and the name of my blog, just to make sure no one can say they didn’t know it was copyrighted material.
One BIG thank you! I’ve heard a lot of stories of photos being used from another blogs. The information you gave here are very helpful. Thanks for the share!xx
Awesome post. I like to use all my own images as I’ve known first hand how stressful it can be when someone steals your own photos. I draw and people used to steal th photos I would take and convince people they drew them. So with my blog I’d rather spend 2 hours trying to get the best photo for my post then pinch someone elses 🙂
OMG. This is a post worth sharing. Thank you for this, now I got to watch what I post. I usually will use something from Pinterest, but state clearly it’s not mine & then I’d link them! I didn’t know that was wrong