"Google" is NOT a valid "source" for photos!

Citing "image from Google" is NOT a valid way to source images used on Steemit!

Google's "search engine" is just that — a tool for searching for things on the Internet, but it is not an authority to extend usage rights to images which it has found. Google is akin to a library, of sorts, a mere collection of other people's work.

In the same way, citing that "the information in this post came from some book I found at the library" is not a valid citation, either. It is necessary to give the title of the book and the author of that book, at the very least.

Determining which images are safe to use is not difficult. While in Google Images search, click on "Tools" and then "Labeled for Reuse" as shown in the screenshot below. A little menu will appear, where "Not Filtered by License" is checked, by default. Check one of the OTHER options, instead, to show only images which are okay to be reused.

^{• ENHANCED SCREENSHOT BY ME •}

Next, click on the image you wish to use and it will appear in a black box along with the size of the image and the name of the website from which it was found. Click on the "VISIT" button, as shown to go to the website where the image is stored. This will allow you to check for ways in which the image is allowed to be used, whom to credit for the image, and to download the image at a higher resolution than is available on Google.

^{• ENHANCED SCREENSHOT BY ME •}

For more information, see Google's page on "Find Free-to-Use Images" here:

https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/29508?hl=en

There are several better sites than Google for finding images which are FREE to use on Steemit posts. Those include:

● LifeOfPix.com
● Pexels.com
● Pixabay.com
● Unsplash.com

There are also free images under the "Free Photos" menu tab on:
● Dreamstime.com

Even using images from sites such as these, though, it is a good idea to cite that the image is "free-for-use from Pixabay," or perhaps even give credit to the photographer (even though the site may say no such credit is necessary). Stating that the image is free-to-use will keep your record on Steemit spotless.

I would never want anyone to suspect that I have stolen a photo. I would also not want someone stealing my hard work and not giving credit to me. Don't let either of these things happen to you!

😊