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Google’s New Licensable Images Features Are Officially Out!

Have you heard the news? Google Images released their new licensable images features earlier today, which will help photographers looking to improv...

Have you heard the news? Google Images released their new licensable images features earlier today, which will help photographers looking to improve the discovery of their content and potentially earn more.

Here at PhotoShelter, we’ve recently talked a lot about devoting extra time to SEO, but photographers have long been seeking the reward for all that hard — and let’s face it, not super exciting — SEO work. The great news is that it’s now easier than ever for potential buyers to find your work in Google Images.

Now, Google will display a “Licensable” badge on image thumbnails in Google Images search results if that image has a usage license associated with it, and includes the appropriate metadata. Not only does that reinforce the value of photos, but it also links directly to your website where a license can be obtained for its use.

This release is huge for independent photographers looking to sell images from their own websites. Google Images has the potential to be a main traffic source for photographers, assuming they are set up to take advantage of it.

“Google Images’ new licensable images features will drive a paradigm shift in how professional creative teams discover unique content,” Andrew Fingerman, PhotoShelter CEO, told Google. “By establishing Google Images as a reliable way to identify licensable content, Google will drive discovery opportunities for all agencies and independent photographers, creating an efficient process to quickly find and acquire the most relevant, licensable content.”  

The chatter in the photo community has already taken off.

“It’s heartwarming to see Google take such a crucial step towards protecting the rights of artists like me,” Nikon Ambassador Ami Vitale told us. “With their new licensable images features and the support of tools like PhotoShelter, my work will be safer from theft and can be more easily sold to those who wish to use it.”

For months now, we’ve been working behind the scenes with Google to ensure that PhotoShelter members are able to take advantage of the new features right away. Check out our step-by-step guide from General Manager Grover Sanschagrin to make sure you’re set up for success. Our Technical Support team can also walk you through the setup process, or apply your Web Statement and Licensor URL to all images in your account on your behalf.

Google has also provided more information on the program on their blog.

All images by Google.

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