Getting the Most Out of Google Images Licensable Badge
Google Images is known to be the go-to place for all sorts of images. Yet, it has also earned a reputation as a place where images are saved without much thought to copyrights or giving due credit to their creators. To address this, Google introduced a copyright notice in 2018 and then rolled out the Licensable badge in 2020.
Now, let’s explore what this Licensable badge is, how it works, and why it can be a game-changer for your images, if used properly.
What is Google Images Licensable badge?
When browsing Google Images search results, you may have noticed a small icon in the corner of some of them that, when hovered on, displays the word “Licensable”. This icon is the Licensable Badge. Its role is to signal that the image can be licensed and to provide relevant information, including the details of the license and the URL of the page where it can be acquired.
Here’s the information about the image that can be displayed:
- a link with license details
- a link to the page where it can be acquired
- the creator’s name
- a credit line
- and a copyright notice.
Here’s an example of how a photo with licensable metadata looks:
Structured Data vs. IPTC Metadata
To display the Licensable badge and the accompanying information, the webpage must either have structured data (schema.org metadata) or the file itself must contain relevant IPTC metadata. But what to consider when deciding which method to use for publishing the image?
In most cases, adding licensing information to IPTC metadata is a preferred way. Having details about the creator and the license embedded into the file means they can be retrieved regardless of where the image is placed, even if the webpage doesn’t have structured data.
Structured data can be included for better compatibility with other search engines and web crawlers or in other cases when IPTC metadata cannot be set or retrieved.
If both structured data and IPTC metadata are provided and the “Web Statement of Rights” or “Licensor URL” values are not the same between them, Google will prefer the values in the structured data.
How to get the Google Licensable badge for my images?
The bare minimum required for the Licensable badge to appear is the “Web Statement of Rights” field in IPTC metadata or “license” in structured data. Its value must be a valid URL that leads to a webpage with information about licensing terms, be it full license text or generic licensing information.
Adding structured data describing the image is as simple as putting the following code in the <head> tag of the webpage:
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "ImageObject",
"url": "IMAGE_URL",
"license": "LICENSE_LINK",
"acquireLicensePage": "LINK_TO_ACQUIRE_THE_IMAGE"
}
</script>The process of adding IPTC metadata to the image is mostly the same for all software programs, with the main difference being what fields are available and how they are called. To ensure that the correct fields are filled, check the documentation of the program you’re using in advance.
This is how editing IPTC metadata looks in GIMP:
You might be thinking, “But filling in the same fields with the same information for all images is a lot of work! I don’t want to do that!” Don’t worry; there is a better way. Read on to learn how!
How do I know if my image is eligible for Google Licensable badge?
As mentioned above, the minimal technical requirement for the Licensable badge to appear is “Web Statement of Rights”/”license” being present in the image metadata/structured data and having a valid URL. However, if you want all the relevant information about your copyright to be shown, make sure that other fields like Creator, Copyright Notice, and Credit Line, have accurate data too. It’s important to note that standards change frequently, and it can be a bit confusing to keep track of them. For the latest details on the naming and content of required fields, you can always check the IPTC webpage.
The good news is that there’s a free tool to streamline your image metadata checks and instantly let you know if an image will get the badge, or if some specific fields are missing. Try Macula’s GLB Checker for your images with uploading a file or simply pasting a link.
And if you want to see your image’s metadata in full detail, you can use the Macula Metadata Viewer another free tool that shows you not only fields related to the Licensable badge but also EXIF and XMP metadata.
What are the benefits of having the Google Licensable badge?
When approached purposefully, the Google Images Licensable badge can be a great help for aiding sales and gaining additional exposure. Above all, for images available for commercial licensing, having licensing info displayed right in search results enhances their appeal and simplifies the process for potential buyers. Not only can they learn about the terms, they also get a quick link to buy the image directly without needing a separate search.
Yet, even if images are not meant to be sold, or selling is not the main purpose, providing clear licensing terms and obtaining a Licensable badge is still worth it. Creative Commons-licensed images will be more likely to be used properly; for proprietary licensed images, indicating the terms can help curb unauthorized use and freebooting.
Additionally, photos with licensing details embedded into IPTC metadata will receive a Licensable badge regardless of where they are published, unless someone explicitly clears the metadata. So, in addition to the attribution provided by the licensee on the webpage where the image is placed, everyone who searches for relevant keywords will see the image in search results, marked with a Licensable badge.
Going beyond the Google Images Licensable badge
The Google Images Licensable badge is an excellent tool for all photographers, which can help protect their rights and gain additional exposure. However, to maximize its benefits, it’s best to keep a few things in mind.
First and foremost, regardless of your goal, having high-quality photos must be the foundation. An underexposed, poorly composed, or blurry image won’t attract potential licensees, fans, or clients, regardless of the appeal of its licensing terms. Make sure to put in the effort to hone your skills and keep seeking valuable feedback.
Second, before sharing photos with the world, take the time to research available licensing options and understand them, especially when considering Creative Commons licenses, which are non-revocable.
Finally, failing to set the image licensing metadata properly can render all your efforts futile. Metadata standards are constantly revised and updated, and not all image editing programs can keep up, resulting in different sets of fields and naming conventions. Besides, manually filling in metadata for hundreds or even thousands of images can take a lot of time and effort.
To take this off your hands we have developed Macula.Link, a cloud-based image storage and sharing suite for photographers. When you share photos with Macula.Link, you can select a license for each image, and all necessary metadata fields will be automatically filled. It’s as simple as that.
Pretty neat, right? But guess what, Macula.Link offers a whole lot more! Learn about what it can do for you here.
