Content Guidelines And Checklists

Why This Matters

• Copyright violations can cost in legal fees and damages
• Every image is automatically protected by copyright when created
• Reverse image search makes it easy for owners to find unauthorized usage
  

Safe Image Sources

✅ Approved Sources

Premium Stock Platforms:

• Shutterstock
• Adobe Stock
• iStock
• Canva Pro (verify license per asset)

Free/Creative Commons Sources:

• Unsplash (CC0, credit preferred)
• Pexels (CC0, credit preferred)
• Pixabay (CC0)
• RawPixel (free section)
• Freepik (attribution required for free accounts)

❌ Never Use These Sources

• Google Images search results
• Pinterest, Tumblr, or random blog images
• Instagram/TikTok/YouTube screenshots (without permission)
• AI-generated images (unless terms allow commercial use)
• Any image where you can't identify the source and license

Documentation Requirements

Image Source Log (Required for Every Image)

• File name/URL
• Source platform
• License type (CC0, Commercial Use, etc.)
• Attribution requirements
• Save as: Blog_Title_Images_Source_Log.xlsx

Attribution Format (When Required)

• Format: "Image by [Photographer Name] via [Platform Name]"
• Placement: Below image (blog) or in caption/footer (social/email)

Pre-Publish Checklist

• ☐ All images from approved sources
• ☐ Sources documented in log
• ☐ Licenses allow commercial use
• ☐ Attribution included if needed
• ☐ Images optimized for web

Content Review Workflow

1. Creator selects image → documents source
2. Editor reviews source & license
3. Legal/Lead approves if uncertain
4. Publish approved content

Useful Tools

• Google Reverse Image Search - Verify image origins
• TinEye - Detect image sources
• Creative Commons License Info - Understand CC licenses
• Pixsy - Check for potential copyright claims

If You Receive a Copyright Complaint

1. Immediately inform content lead and legal team
2. Don't respond to external parties without approval
3. Remove the questioned content from all platforms
4. Gather all source documentation
5. Support legal team with resolution

Key Reminders

• Zero tolerance policy - Violations may result in termination
• When in doubt, ask - Always verify licensing before use
• Document everything - Your source log is your legal protection
• Budget for images - Quality stock photos are a business expense, not optional