Have you ever searched tirelessly for an image to use in a blog post? Or just needed something quick right now that you wouldn’t be slapped for later? Well, Google and Yahoo! have an answer: Dedicated search for reusable images.
Google has added a Creative Commons filtering capability to its Image Search results, enabling users to query for images specifically labeled for “reuse,” “commercial reuse,” “reuse with modification” or “commercial reuse with modification.”
Ideally, the feature shall enable a broader array of commercially-usable images to users that don’t want to pay a stock photo company for imagery, and don’t want to deal with the copyright headaches associated with “stealing” an unlicensed picture from Image Search.
The option isn’t currently available on the user interface, but you can enable the pilter by adding a certain parameter to your search URL (in this case, just replace “mountains” with whatever you are actually searching for):
- For public domain images — http://images.google.com/images?q=mountains&as_rights=cc_publicdomain
- For images licensed with Creative Commons Attribution (that is, images you can use as long as you attribute the image back to the creator) — http://images.google.com/images?q=mountains&as_rights=cc_attribute
- For images licensed using Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike — http://images.google.com/images?q=mountains&as_rights=cc_sharealike
In May, Yahoo added a Creative Commons license filter to its own Image Search. Other services, such as compfight.com, enable users to seek Creative Commons-licensed work on flickr.
Ok, so it isn’t the cleanest system in the world, but it will deliver the goods, and we’ve made those URL’s into handy-dandy links. So click away, replace your search term, and start reusing images.
Google, Yahoo Add Creative Commons Filtering to Image Search
I am definitely going to use this. I am always looking for images to use for the students I tutor – royalty free items that they can use for their projects. As a librarian I have always been strict about copyright and you have provided a useful tool to get images I have always wanted to use but could not affort. I have already added the links to my favorites.
Thanks to your site, its makes my life hustle free. Truly, i am looking for images that can be use for my demos and truly thankful for the tools you have share. More Power..!