A reader inquired about how to locate and add Creative Commons-licensed images in WordPress.
At CanadaCreate, we have assisted numerous users in selecting the perfect images for their projects while avoiding copyright concerns. It is essential to ensure you have the right to use images in your blog posts. Fortunately, there are millions of Creative Commons licensed images available for royalty-free use.
In this article, we will share our insights and guide you on how to easily find and insert Creative Commons-licensed images into WordPress.
Why Should You Use Creative Commons Licensed Images in WordPress?
Incorporating high-quality images into your WordPress blog can significantly enhance user engagement. However, buying images from stock libraries like Shutterstock can be quite costly.
Fortunately, many photographers and artists offer their images under a Creative Commons license, allowing you to use them legally without any payment.
There are various Creative Commons licenses, and the CC0 ‘No Rights Reserved’ license is ideal for bloggers. You can utilize images with this license freely, without needing to seek permission or provide attribution.
Some Creative Commons licenses permit free use of images but may impose conditions, such as the necessity to credit the original creator when utilizing the image.
You can enhance your website by incorporating these professional photos, whether as background images or within sliders, providing numerous opportunities for visual appeal.
Now, let’s explore how to locate and insert Creative Commons images into WordPress. This tutorial will cover the following topics:
- Inserting Creative Commons CC0 Licensed Images Using a Plugin
- Inserting Creative Commons CC0 Licensed Images Using a Page Builder
- Manually Inserting Creative Commons Licensed Images
Inserting Creative Commons CC0 Licensed Images Using a Plugin
Begin by installing and activating the Instant Images plugin. For detailed instructions, refer to our comprehensive guide on installing a WordPress plugin.
This plugin provides a convenient one-click search for images from Unsplash, Pixabay, and Pexels stock image libraries. Fortunately, all images in these collections can be freely used as they are released under the Creative Commons CC0 license.
Once activated, the plugin operates automatically. When you add an image to a post from your Media library, an ‘Instant Images’ tab will appear at the top of the page.
Alternatively, you can upload images directly to your Media library by going to Media » Instant Images.
Now, click on one of the stock library options at the top of the page. Then, search for the type of image you want to add to WordPress. You can sort or filter the images using the dropdown menus.
In the example above, we searched Unsplash for ‘tomato’ and found 2,213 images.
To add an image to your Media library, simply click on it. The image will be added along with a title and default alt text provided by the photographer.
You can now insert the image into your posts as usual.
Obtaining a Pexels API Key
The first time you click the Pexels button, a popup will prompt you to enter an API key. Start by clicking the ‘Get API Key’ link to create a free Pexels account.
After signing up, click on the user icon located at the top of the screen.
Then, select ‘Image & Video API’ from the dropdown menu.
First, click on the ‘Your API Key’ button. This will direct you to a form where you can inform Pexels about your intended use of their images.
Make sure to check the box to accept the terms of service and API guidelines.
Your API key will then be displayed on the screen.
Copy the key to your clipboard and return to your website.
You should see the same popup as before.
Next, paste the API key into the designated field and click the Verify button.
You will now have the ability to insert Creative Commons-licensed images from Pexels.
Inserting Creative Commons CC0 Licensed Images Using a Page Builder
SeedProd is the top drag-and-drop WordPress page builder for businesses, bloggers, and website owners, allowing you to easily add popular design elements like images.
The Plus plan and higher includes access to a library of 2 million royalty-free stock images optimized for your website.
For step-by-step instructions on installing and using SeedProd, refer to our guides on creating a landing page and easily designing a custom WordPress theme.
When using SeedProd’s visual editor, simply drag an Image block onto your page.
Clicking on the image block will reveal its settings in the left sidebar.
In the ‘Choose New Image’ section, you will find two options: one to upload your own image and another to select a stock image.
Click the ‘Use a Stock Image’ button to proceed.
This action will open a search form for the SeedProd stock image library.
Enter your search term to locate the desired image, then click the ‘Search’ button.
You will see previews of all images that match your search criteria.
Simply click on the image you wish to add to your page.
Now, you can utilize SeedProd’s image settings to add alt text, adjust the image size and alignment, or insert a link.
This ensures that the image appears perfectly on your website.
You can modify the image style by selecting the ‘Templates’ tab and choosing a preferred style.
These templates will adjust the border and spacing around your image.
Additional customization options can be found under the ‘Advanced’ tab.
Manually Adding Creative Commons Licensed Images
If you choose not to use a plugin, you can manually search for Creative Commons-licensed images. Begin by visiting a stock image library website. Once you find an image you want to use, download it and upload it to your site.
Explore our comprehensive guide to discover sources for free public domain and CC0-licensed stock images.
After downloading the royalty-free stock images you need, upload them to your Media Library or directly into your blog post.
The simplest method is to add an ‘Image’ block in the WordPress editor, click the ‘Upload’ button, and select the Creative Commons image from your computer.
How to Properly Attribute Creative Commons Licensed Images
Certain Creative Commons licenses mandate that you provide image credits and proper attribution to the original creator.
For instance, the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0) license requires you to give appropriate credit, link to the license, and indicate any modifications made. You can do this in a reasonable way, but not in a manner that implies endorsement by the licensor.
Providing proper image credit is essential to comply with copyright laws and to respect the rights of creators.
This practice can safeguard you from legal complications and liabilities, while also demonstrating respect for the creativity and work of others.
If you’re uncertain about whether attribution is necessary, be sure to review the specific wording of the image’s Creative Commons license.
Crediting the creator is straightforward. In the image below, you’ll notice that the Creative Commons attribution is included in the caption. For further details, check out our guide on adding image credits in WordPress.
Creative Commons suggests including the following:
- the title of the image
- the author’s name with a link to their profile
- the source of the image with a link to the original photo
- the license type with a link to the license details
We hope this tutorial has helped you understand how to find and insert Creative Commons licensed images in WordPress. You might also be interested in learning how to create a custom Instagram feed or exploring our tips for boosting your blog traffic.
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