How to Search for Images You Can Legally Use for Free

Just Because It’s on Google Doesn’t Mean You Can Use It

Every image on the internet is copyrighted by default. The creator holds the rights from the moment they create it. You can’t just right-click and save an image for your blog, presentation, or product — that’s copyright infringement, even if you credit the source. The only images you can legally use are ones explicitly licensed for reuse or in the public domain. Here’s how to find them.

Google Images License Filter

Google Images has a built-in license filter:

  1. Search for your image on images.google.com
  2. Click Tools
  3. Click Usage rights
  4. Select the license type you need:
    • Creative Commons licenses: Images with CC licenses that may require attribution
    • Commercial & other licenses: Images specifically licensed for commercial use

The filter isn’t perfect — some results have outdated or incorrect license information. Always verify the actual license on the source page before using an image.

Understanding Creative Commons Licenses

Creative Commons (CC) licenses tell you exactly what you can and can’t do. The main types:

  • CC0 (Public Domain): No restrictions. Use however you want, no attribution required.
  • CC BY: Use however you want, but you must credit the creator.
  • CC BY-SA: Credit the creator, and if you modify it, your new work must use the same license.
  • CC BY-ND: Credit the creator, no modifications allowed.
  • CC BY-NC: Credit the creator, non-commercial use only.
  • CC BY-NC-SA: Credit the creator, non-commercial only, share-alike.
  • CC BY-NC-ND: Most restrictive. Credit required, non-commercial only, no modifications.

If you’re using images for a commercial website, avoid anything with “NC” (non-commercial) in the license. CC0 and CC BY are your best options.

Best Free Image Sources

  • Unsplash: High-quality photos, custom license that’s even more permissive than CC0. No attribution required (but appreciated). Best for blog posts and marketing.
  • Pexels: Similar to Unsplash. CC0-equivalent license. Good variety and search.
  • Pixabay: Large library of photos, illustrations, and vectors. CC0 license.
  • Wikimedia Commons: Massive library with detailed license info for each file. Good for historical and scientific images. License varies — check each file.
  • Flickr (CC filter): Search Flickr with the CC license filter. Huge library, but quality varies. Always check the specific license on each photo.

What About Fair Use?

Fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes like commentary, criticism, news reporting, and education. It’s a legal defense, not a license — meaning you can claim fair use, but only a court can ultimately decide if it applies. Fair use is narrower than most people think. Using an image to illustrate a blog post is not automatically fair use. If you’re unsure, don’t rely on fair use — find a properly licensed image instead.