Photo licences
Every photo on Explore belongs to the person who shared it. They choose a licence, and the licence says what everyone else may do with it.
All rights reserved
All rights reserved · No downloads
You can view it here. Copying, downloading or reusing it needs the photographer's permission.
Free to use with credit
CC BY 4.0 · Can be downloaded
Anyone can download, share and adapt it, even commercially, as long as they credit the photographer.
Free for non-commercial use
CC BY-NC 4.0 · Can be downloaded
Anyone can download, share and adapt it for non-commercial use, as long as they credit the photographer.
Free to use, no credit needed
CC0 1.0 · Can be downloaded
The photographer gave up their rights. Anyone can use it for anything, no credit needed (though it's kind).
If you're using a photo
- Check the licence on the photo's page before you use it anywhere.
- If it asks for credit, copy the credit line from the photo's page and put it near the photo or in your credits.
- "All rights reserved" means look, don't take. To use one of these photos, ask the photographer first. Saving or screenshotting it doesn't give you permission.
- A licence covers the photo, not the people or brands in it. If you're using it in an advert, you may need their permission too.
If you're sharing your photos
- Your photos are private until you turn on Show on Explore. You keep all rights unless you pick another licence.
- Set the licence for new uploads in Sharing settings, and change it for any photo from your library.
- Only photos with an open licence get a download button. Photos you keep all rights to can't be right-clicked or dragged off the page.
- Creative Commons licences can't be taken back from someone who already downloaded the photo. Switching back to "All rights reserved" stops new downloads.
- Only share photos you took or have the right to share.