How do you prevent image theft online?

1 Use watermarks

One of the most common and effective ways to prevent image theft online is to use watermarks. A watermark is a visible or invisible mark that identifies you as the owner of the image. You can create a watermark using your name, logo, website, or any other text or graphic that you want to associate with your work. You can also adjust the size, position, opacity, and style of the watermark to suit your preference. Watermarks can deter thieves from stealing your photos, or at least make it easier for you to prove your ownership if they do.

2 Resize and compress your images

Another way to prevent image theft online is to resize and compress your images before uploading them to your website or portfolio. Resizing and compressing your images means reducing their dimensions and file size, which makes them less attractive and useful for thieves who want to print, sell, or display them elsewhere. You can use various tools and software to resize and compress your images, such as Photoshop, Lightroom, or online converters. However, make sure you don't compromise the quality and resolution of your images too much, as you still want them to look good on your website.

3 Disable right-click and drag-and-drop

A simple but effective way to prevent image theft online is to disable the right-click and drag-and-drop functions on your website or portfolio. These functions allow anyone to easily download or copy your images by clicking on them with the mouse or dragging them to another tab or folder. By disabling them, you can make it harder for thieves to access your images without your consent. You can disable the right-click and drag-and-drop functions using various plugins, codes, or settings on your website platform, such as WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix.

4 Use metadata and copyright notices

Another way to prevent image theft online is to use metadata and copyright notices on your images. Metadata is the information that is embedded in your image files, such as the date, time, location, camera settings, and author of the photo. Copyright notices are the statements that indicate your ownership and rights over the image, such as © Your Name 2021. You can add metadata and copyright notices to your images using various tools and software, such as Photoshop, Lightroom, or online editors. Metadata and copyright notices can help you track and identify your images online, as well as assert your legal rights if someone steals them.

5 Use reverse image search

Another way to prevent image theft online is to use reverse image search. Reverse image search is a feature that allows you to find other websites or sources that use the same or similar image as yours. You can use reverse image search by uploading your image or entering its URL on various platforms, such as Google Images, TinEye, or Pixsy. Reverse image search can help you monitor and detect image theft online, as well as take action against the thieves by contacting them, reporting them, or sending them a cease and desist letter.

6 Register your images

The final way to prevent image theft online is to register your images with a reputable organization or agency that protects your intellectual property rights. For example, in the US, you can register your images with the US Copyright Office, which grants you the legal right to sue anyone who infringes on your work. In other countries, you may have similar or different options to register your images, such as the UK Intellectual Property Office, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, or the World Intellectual Property Organization. Registering your images can help you prevent image theft online, or at least provide you with the legal support and compensation if someone steals them.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?