Image licensing can sometimes be difficult to understand. In the questions and answers below, we do our best to provide answers to common questions that have come up.
Website Builder works with multiple image providers, and it is important to know the source of the image you are considering using on your site as different images have different licensing terms. Once you select an image in the image picker, you will see the source of the image on the right side (highlighted in red in the image below). Some of the images might not have a defined source and will not show that information. In the questions and answers, make sure to refer to the answer that corresponds to the provider source of your image.
For the full terms related to the usage of the Website Builder platform, refer to our terms of service and privacy policy. In any conflict between what is written here and our terms of service, the terms of service prevail.
FAQs
What are the licensing terms of images?
Unsplash: all images are licensed under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0). Which means you can copy, modify, distribute and use the photos for free, including commercial purposes, without asking permission from or providing attribution to the photographer or Unsplash.
Giphy: see the full Giphy terms: https://giphy.com/terms
ShutterStock: see the full Shutterstock terms: https://www.shutterstock.com/license
No defined source: You are granted an individual, non-exclusive, non-transferable, right, throughout the world, in perpetuity, to use such image, or any part thereof, an unlimited number of times, solely as incorporated into websites built using the Website Builder.
Can I use the same image multiple times on a single site?
Unsplash: Yes
ShutterStock: Yes
Giphy: Yes
No defined source: Yes
Can I use the same image on more than one site?
Unsplash: Yes
ShutterStock: No, an image can be used for a single site.
Giphy: Yes
No defined source: Yes
Can I use the image on other digital or physical assets that are not my site?
Unsplash: Yes
ShutterStock: No, an image can be used for a single site.
Giphy: Yes, as long as you adhere to the Giphy terms.
No defined source: No.
Can I get a refund for an image?
Unsplash: Not relevant, Unsplash images are free.
ShutterStock: No, we do not provide refunds for purchased images.
Giphy: Not relevant, Giphy images are free.
No defined source: Not relevant, these images are free.
Q. Can I edit, change an image?
Unsplash: Yes
ShutterStock: Yes
Giphy: No, this is not allowed according to the Giphy terms.
No defined source: Yes
Do I need to give attribution to the owner of the image?
Unsplash: Not required, but would be appreciated.
ShutterStock: No
Giphy: No
No defined source: No
Q. What other terms do I need to comply with?
Unsplash: None
Giphy: All terms described in the Giphy terms.
ShutterStock or No defined source: You shall not use any image:
except solely as incorporated into your responsive website, mobile website, Web Personalization created using the Service.
together with pornographic, defamatory, or unlawful content or in such a manner that it infringes upon any third party’s trademark or intellectual property rights.
portraying any person depicted therein (a "Model") in a way that a reasonable person would find offensive, including but not limited to depicting a Model:
in connection with pornography, "adult videos", adult entertainment venues, escort services, dating services, or the like
in connection with the advertisement or promotion of tobacco products
as endorsing a political party, candidate, elected official, or opinion
as suffering from, or medicating for, a physical or mental ailment
engaging in immoral or criminal activities
as a trademark, service mark, or logo.