If you use Google Image Search to find images for your Steem/Steemit posts, you might have noticed a big change this week. Google has removed the “View image” button from any image you preview from its thumbnail. As the Huffington Post reported, Google admitted that this change is designed to prevent people from pirating images.
According to Ars Technica, this change was prompted by Getty Images’ lawsuit against Google. Getty argued that Google was making it too easy for users to steal its pictures in high res format. So Google apparently agreed to implement this change as part of its settlement with Getty Images. Good for Google and Getty, but difficult for the Internet.
Instead of being able to view the image in high res, you are left with one visible option to acquire it, which is the “Visit” button. That takes you to the site which is the source of the image, but it does not necessarily take you to the image itself. From the site’s front page, the image may be harder to find or copy. Plus, the process has added time to each search.
Internet rages after Google removes “view image” button is the title of Ars Technica’s story. The BBC added that users were labelling this change “awful” and “user-unfriendly”. One person said that the removal of the image viewer “degraded the product.”
Frankly, Google has turned a simple task into a royal waste of time. But there’s hope.
If you miss this feature and want to restore it, then you can download the Make Google Image Search Great Again browser extension for Chrome or Firefox, which simply restores the “View Image” button with each search. Disclaimer: One version works for me, but I have not tried the other one yet.
Make GIS great again, browser extension (adds the “view image” button back to Google Image Searches): https://github.com/devunt/make-gis-great-again
Other options:
(1) In the last 24 hours, some people were using a 'right-click' on image thumbnails to open the viewer in a new window, but it looks like Google has fixed that loophole. Try it if you want, but that now opens the "Visit" link for me instead of "View image".
(2) You can use the search engines Bing or DuckDuckGo instead of Google (these still have “View image” buttons).
(3) If you want a good source of images that are not restricted by copyright, try one of the large free sites like Pixabay, Unsplash, or Freeimages.com. Also, Flickr and Wikimedia have a lot of Creative Commons-licensed images that are usable for free if you follow appropriate guidelines for use and attribution.
As a reminder, avoid using images in your Steem/Steemit posts that are subject to copyright. Google Image Search still allows you to customize the usage rights settings, so when you have conducted an image search on Google, click on “Tools” from the top menu above your search results and then click “Usage rights” to customize the filter and display only images that are appropriate for reuse.
Sources:
Huffington Post: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/google-changes-image-search_us_5a873d89e4b00bc49f43e220
Ars Technica: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/02/internet-rages-after-google-removes-view-image-button-bowing-to-getty/
BBC: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43085053
Browser extension for Google Image Search (which also is the source of the screenshot used here): https://github.com/devunt/make-gis-great-again
Payment declined on this post.
Why are you declining payment?
@transisto I guess he is declining it because he wants no more inflation. I can be wrong also. -;)
Because I have self-imposed limits and I make enough on my normal posts. This is a simple informational post that took me 15 minutes to write; it's not my usual fare.
Your presentation on the swampy New York DA office got my attention, but the statement you made here in response to declining compensation for "informational post" got me to follow you.
In Light and Love
Giant Hugs<3<3<3
Yes I noticed that yesterday. It was so awful that I actually had to leave Google and try Yahoo. I did download the GIS browser extension though.
I too noticed that. Hey @donkeypong is there also a GIS browser extension for Safari?
I also use Safari and sometimes Opera for Mac. Any solution for these browsers?
I didn't see any yet.
Oh good, this is the alternative way to use image. I think it will also copyright. So we should careful to use copyrighted image. because Steemit is growing up day by day. So steemit can take step anytime about this matter.
Be careful NOT to use copyrighted images.
Thank you
Photography company Getty Images is accusing Google of scraping images from third party websites and encouraging piracy.
Getty argues that since image consumption is immediate, “there is little impetus to view the image on the original source site” once it’s seen in high resolution on Google. By making these images available to download, Google has “also promoted piracy, resulting in widespread copyright infringement, turning users into accidental pirates,” Getty claims.
Thanks to @donkeypong for bringing this awareness to the fore
You can try using BING images on internet explorer. They are easy to download and you can easily filter out those images that might be copyrighted. See screenshot below.
Why was it awful? It’s great. It leads you to where the image is. If it’s an image that meeds to be licensed you pay the license. If it takes you to Pixabay, you are free to use it. Makes life easier for everyone, doesn't it?
Hi @donkeypong
I am using Google Chrome. Instead of visiting the site and searching for the url, I follow this technique and it works perfectly:
(
)
The trick is: Right click on the image and click on "Open Image In New Tab". You can directly click on "Copy Image Address" though but you won't be sure about the resolution since some sites show just a thumbnail, so clicking on "Open Image In New Tab" will let you see the picture by yourself first and then you can copy the address of image from the address bar. Done!
Self upvoted to make it visible on top so that others could see the trick.
About the resolution, you can directly see it right below the image, before copying the image address.
They will not necessarily be the same. I've tried it before!
Hmm you're right, just checked again. I guess the extension is a good way to go.
I don't know why it's hard to find free images nowadays. The idea of open society to accelerate innovation and creativity is now slowing down. Copyright will only holding us back.
This is a very huge step by google. It will go a long way in helping to cut down the level of piracy especially on this platform. A characteristic of any good web engine is to continually upgrade and google is keeping up to this. The disadvantage, however is the extra effort required to get these images. I still believe that one should go for what he desires though, nomatter the time it will take to get it. Thanks for bringing this latest development to my notice @donkeypong . Also thanks for sharing other image source suggestions. I specifically prefer pixabay. Their image quality is superb.
Thank you for the update sir. But sir, i thought it could depend on the browser because i had used it this week and that icon and button are present which i even used for my last post .
Maybe it works for you, but they turned the button off for most of us. And I mean the viewer, not just the thumbnail, since that is not large enough for most uses.
interesting. however while it might be "user unfriendly", why would anyone really need to have access to a hi rez image unless they wanted to pirate it? what google should be working on is a way to make copyrighted images view only or un-copy-able, even from hi rez. or a way to bring you to a site that offers them for resale if thats the intended purpose. given the amount of plagiarized photos on the internet, i think this is just the first step in working towards that. it might not be the best right now, but if it slows down the ignorant plagiarizers who make money off others images, I aint complainin.
this becomes an advanced or a setback for google?
Thanks @donkeypong on alternative suggestions, it is very helpful.
Thanks for this information boss, its funny, cause I didnt notice at all.
Picture plagiarism is so deeply rooted on steemit that Im sure several lawsuits would be pending on some peoples head if it was found out, maybe even I in my early days,:D.
In a way, I support the move, despite continuous caution, advises, many simply take an image, and label it ''source, google image'' .
this still works though,. . . .so. . . . . . .
.png)
P.S ppl, google is not a source, nothing like source: google images or source:google
get an image thats free to use, or cite the proper source, by following the visit links
I was once guilty of it during my very early days. I didn't understand how heavy the crime was until @steemcleaners visited my blog and flagged one high-earning post to zero. It was painful but I learnt to do the right thing afterwards. However, quite unfortunately, most of these stolen pictures manage to escape the bot.
checking pic plagiarism isnt easy, but image search does ease things a bit.
also, if a person claims an exotic flower pic, a google search using as close a name as possible could bring out the location and sites that those sort of images were lifted from.
apart from that, one could just go around verifying the identity of the person claiming a pic, and cross ref that with their steemit posts, and their previous posts etc.
It is a really hectic job. But I think any length should be reached to bring defaulters to book. I have come to understand that picture plagiarism is very very bad
Yes, the thumbnail is there, but it isn't really big enough for most uses.
@destinysaid, you are so right, we have all been guilty one time or the other for this but i am pretty sure plagiarism is being checked daily and in no time, such will become so unpopular.
Though i observed that the feature might not be enabled on all browser yet.
Hey @donkeypong - I had to write a whole new post for what was going to be my response, and inspired by a comment left by another user here. But for those worried about image theft, you don't have to worry about whether or not you should put an image online. There's a way to go after a thief:
https://steemit.com/photography/@winstonwolfe/lots-of-talk-about-stolen-images-lately-allow-me-to-introduce-you-to-pixsy
I'll check it out. Thanks.
Yeah, I just started with Pixabay and they have a really wide variety of endless free images.
Thanks for this heads up on Getty and Google, though. I always have done that last part you talk about.
By far my favorite free image site is Pexels.com. I was going to leave a comment here about how you can easily earn free crypto while getting free images for your blog from Pexels.
It just got so long, that I thought it deserved a post of its own: https://steemit.com/crypto/@shenanigator/earn-free-crypto-while-getting-free-images-for-your-steemit-blog
Nice info! I had looked at Pexels a while back, but drifted over to Unsplash, I'm racing off to read your article!
Cg
Good for Google trying to fix a problem they created. I have always been shocked at how easy it is to just grab an image and inset it in your own piece of work. I face this dilemma with my students. We will do media based projects and I am trying to get my grade 8's to understand the importance of referencing sources. During our media book revies where they must present their books through the use of images or video I spend a great deal of time with them trying to show them how to create a bibliography and cite sources. This is so much more difficult with the use of internet source because often the wrong web address will be used or they don't cite at all. Slowly through the year they start to get it. My goal is to prepare them for the things they will see in high school and beyond.
Thanks for the heads up and keying everyone into the browser add-ons. I wouldn't mind if the hi-res copyright images lacked a view image button while the button remained on the royalty Free images. I am no programer though so I have no idea how difficult it would be to implement that type of feature. I was always leery of Google royalty Free images though which is why I typically stick to Unsplash, pixabay, or freeimages.com since these site offer a certain level of confidence to the user. -Aimee
Royalty Free is a type of paid licensing. Royalty Free images are not free. Professionals who use stock images know this, but it’s been a problem with Google searchers who see the word free and think it must mean the images are free! Free images are Copyright Free. That’s what you get on Pixabay. But you still need to double check those images with Tineye, as surprise, surprise, sometimes people steal images and upload them. But you are probably 99% safe with them though. But I would always double check because the end user is responsible for finding the original source - not Pixabay!
Thanks for the clarification! Great info and resource. I will definitely be checking out Tineye. -Aimee
Great info @donkeypong, I have been using Unsplash for a while, not as expansive, but at least nobody is going to come knocking on my door looking for royalties.
Cg
a very good post honest i get more insight @donkeypong i am just a small fish i can only upvote and resteem.
😃😃😃 I will attempt to take your bunghole. How about that?
@cornholio, this is funny. Thanks for cracking me up this morning.
But you are more important than your bunghole, why not let your bunghole be taken and not you. lol
Well I seems Getty image isn't going to be having anymore of google's easy access to people who download image online.
Of course the view image had been there a while now how come google is warned off this features now?
I smell something though however amazing heads up @donkeypong
What a colossal waste of time.
I doubt Getty images actually filed this lawsuit.
Any internet knowledgeable person would tell them, suck it up, this is the internet. If you don't want the picture shared, do not put in on the internet.
So, Boogle, what is the real reason to waste people's time?
So what am I supposed to do as a pro photographer who needs to advertise his services? Just tell people shopping online "I know you can't see any of my images, but hey, trust me. I'm really good. I promise. I BOUGHT A REALLY EXPENSIVE CAMERA!!!"
This is terrible advice. You're blaming the victim, not the person actually COMMITTING THE CRIME.
Some things you can do:
And, what you really can do
Dizney has already destroyed fair use, and thus, the world is going to respond with no copyrights. In a few years, copyrights will become something that cannot be administered, prosecuted, legislated or enforced in any way.
We are going to go from a world with all the stuff on a few servers to everyone having a server. So, if you take a picture that later becomes a popular meme, it is going to be on millions of computers, maybe even billions. It will become futile to try and claim copyright.
I understand your position, really I do, however I am telling you about reality.
I am sorry. Blame Dizney.
I really don't understand this culture of "it exists, so I own it" mentality or where it even came from. This is the brattiest, most "entitled" bunch of bullshit I've ever heard in my life.
IF. YOU. DID. NOT. CREATE. IT. IT. DOES. NOT. BELONG. TO. YOU.
I understand your frustration. Really I do. But, I will not bring up why I know.
Nor will I talk about IP. Intellectual property is a very amorphous area, and nothing is decided yet. There are piles of articles, books and papers on both sides of the argument.
I am not here to talk about IP.
I said that copyright will cease to be a thing. The current laws are so onerous that they will collapse in on themselves. It is inevitable, because of the path technology is going, the internet is going, and IP is going.
There is nothing I can do about it. The cake is already baked. We just have to live with the fall out.
And, if you didn't notice, you will read at the bottom of most of my posts:
The only exclusions are things such as book covers when I write a review of said book.
I didn't accuse you of stealing any imagery. What I said was a general statement meant to apply to everyone.
And no - I refuse to fall in line with bullshit.
BULLSHIT. Claiming copyright infringement has to do with someone COMMERCIALLY using an image that doesn't belong to them. Possession of a photo on your machine does NOT = ownership. NEVER confuse those two.
I don't give a fuck what Disney says.
What actually did Disney say regarding copyright?
More political drama by "lawsuit happy" corporate America where lawyers are on watch and in full control. Getty suing Google is like Post Cereals suing the American Sugar Refining Co. when consumers add more sugar to already sweetened cereal! It's all stupid!
Yes, I use it from time to time. It's becoming a pirate pirate picture. But we do not always have the necessary photo. Sometimes we have to use it for this. We need to specify the source after this action.
After all, as a result, Google has found a nice action against those who use it for bad purposes and who are not sensitive. Thanks for sharing.
The best(worst) part about the previous system? A blog carrying a picture, may not necessarily have put up a source, so its like picking a pic that is pirated and saying you're not a pirate.
plundering a pirate ship is still piracy right?
pixabay for the win.
"Plundering a pirate ship is still piracy?" You might be onto something here. I'm sure there is a team of anxious lawyers standing by who would take up this argument in a skinny minute. But I say NO! It's like trying to bullshit a bullshitter... it's simply not attainable.
O well,
It will go far in chopping down the level of theft particularly on this stage. A normal for any great web motor is to ceaselessly redesign and google is keeping up to this. The detriment, however is the additional exertion required to get these pictures. Regardless I trust that one ought to go for what he wants however, nomatter the time it will take to get it. Much obliged for conveying this most recent advancement to my notice @donkeypong .
Ohh it is a good news for me and i think for every one keep sharing I follow you hope you will share more information with us
I try to use duckduckgo as much as possible so I'm happy they still have the button.
Regarding copyrighted images I thought that if you cite their source then you are ok.
Its A huge step By google Thanks for sharing In detail You are doing good by informing and introducing new things keep it up I wish you all the best God bless you
I've been wondering what is going on with the 'view image'
button which I had used the other day and suddenly yesterday it wasn't there. I got so frustrated and had to even leave the post.. thanks @donkeypong for the insight.
This move by google is a big advantage to other browsers which many of us are going to start using. The law suit from getty images has affected the most dominant search engine which has been known for it's user-friendliness in all aspects of internet searching.
Thanks for this update @donkeypong. I can now make a post after downloading 'Make GIS great again', browser extension or using another browser.
Thank God I use Bing!
what google ought to chip away at is an approach to influence copyrighted pictures to see just or un-duplicate capable, even from hello there rez. or on the other hand an approach to convey you to a site that offers them for resale if that is the expected reason. given the measure of counterfeited photographs on the web, I think this is only the initial phase in working towards that. it won't not be the best right now, but rather on the off chance that it backs off the oblivious plagiarizers who profit off others pictures, I aint complainin.
Good information for every steemians. We can use youtube creative common videos without copyright claims. Samely we can use images from google "uses rights".
Thank you for sharing with us.
This post upvoted and resteemed by @jareen61
thanks for sharing a details about it... it was unknown for me....i appreciate your post...
Hmm, no more view images, only God knows what next, thank you for the information at-least it will prevent someone from committing internet crime, these are free features we enjoy daily as we see beautiful pictures on steemit by steemians. We actually surpass google. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for informing us about this new change made by google. 😊
@donkeypong wow great post thank for shear,
##Upvote/Resteem###
Wow, I didn't notice, thanks for sharing
The Chrome browser still has the right-click option to 'Open image in new tab' - or I still have that option at least.
Thanks for this, been thinking of how people add source to the image they use on there post. Now I know... Thanks for sharing
It is funny!
Thank you for sharing !
@donkepong, That's excellent update you giving to us. If you don't update this We haven't know why google has removed the View image button from any image. I checked this and to me no any issues yet. Probably very soon will happen it. I have question. When will google remove this option? But finally very sad to hear coz google giving best assistance for search any images very easily and faster. But your extra options much better.
I had defintely noticed, but didnt know why! Thanks for sharing this, I am going to try to keep my posts copyright friendly, whenever possible. This is actually why I post more family photos or pictures of my art, because I know they are safe!
Thank you for the heads up!
This news being huge disadvantages to any google searchers. Bu if we loss this feature again can restore. So I think this is not big issue. We have more options to try. Your options better. Also we have another options. Thanks for updating @donkeypong.
Good Idea and stop pirecy thanks to the information @donkeypong good job
I personally find that as long as someone is actually referencing the source and not copying pasting whole posts etc, then it's alright to use it. How else can we get pictures for most things we do? Also all articles for the news etc tend to use images that aren't theirs but source it.
Well fuck Google! I understand that it's to protect copyrights but really this move is a bit too extreme. Fortunately I rarely use GIS but I still find this annoying, good thing there are some good alternatives out there. Also thanks for providing the links for the extension to bypass this. have a pleasant day @donkeypong
Thank you so much for the awesome expository.
You are the best
📳
& terrific!
🐸 perfect & terrific!
If they think I won't be able to pirate an image they are stupid af.
Its really a great move by Google.
The Other day I had tried to download but couldn't download the high quality image.I didn't know about this change.
Hope the photographers are in rejoice!