Images can really make your blog posts shine. They can grab the reader’s attention, help you communicate your message, and also make your post seem more interesting. However, using images in your post is not as easy as you think. There are many rules that you need to follow when it comes to using images. First let’s start with the do’s and don’ts.

Do and Don’ts of Using Images

• Do: Use an image that reflects what you’re talking about.
• Do: Use public domain and stock copyright free images.
• Do: Optimize your images so that they fit into your post properly.
• Do: Host your image on your site.

• Don’t: Grab random images from Google Image Search.
• Don’t: Steal rip off an image from a random site.
• Don’t: Use random images to make your content stand out.
• Don’t: Use a low quality image or a high quality image that slows loading time.

Now that the do’s and don’ts are out of the way, it is important to understand where to get images. You can get images from royalty free stock photo sites/public domain, Creative Commons and stock photo sites. They all work differently.

Most royalty free stock photo sites and public domain sites do not require you to credit them. Their files can typically be used in your content, promotions and even your product. There is always an exception, so make sure you read carefully.

Stock photo sites have a large selection of high quality images. However, you must become a member and purchase credits from these sites. The amount of credit you get depends on how much you pay. Each image in the site is attributed a credit value and you will need to spend your credits to use the images. Credit also varies depending on whether you want to use it in content, promotional material, or within a product/place of business.

Creative Commons is a site that offers licenses for photos. What makes it different from public domain work is that credit needs to be given to the author and there are limitations to how images can be used. To properly credit the author of the work you’ve found in Creative Commons, you can simply enter a simple text such as “via author name/url” beneath the image and make sure it is linked to the author’s page.

You also need to be aware of the limitations of the image. Some images are limited in usage by region, how it’s used (ex. for content or commercial purposes), and whether or not it can be modified. Fortunately, there are search parameters that can be used to help you find the image you’re looking for.

In conclusion, you have to do your due diligence when using images in your blog posts. Many people and organizations are now taking measures to detect copyright theft, so it can be quite risky lifting somebody else’s images. It is worth the time and effort to properly use and credit images you use in your blog posts.

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