When you’re trying to build a better social media presence for your business and you start posting more, you’re going to need more images and video to go with your content. Eye-catching pics and videos are best but sometimes a simple graphic or stock photo will do. If you’re not taking the photos or designing the graphics yourself, you’ll want to be sure you stay in compliance when you post. If you don’t, it can result in blocked content and even fines that can cost your business or organization a lot of money. It is important to ensure that you are following both legal and platform-specific rules to avoid potential issues. Follow the guidelines below, which of course are not a complete list, to keep your company from being out of compliance.
- Ensure You Have the Right to Use the Image
Only post images you own or have explicit permission to use. If you’re using stock photos, make sure the license allows for commercial use. Avoid using images from the internet without proper attribution or permission, as this could lead to copyright infringement. Images that have a watermark are never an option unless you applied the watermark yourself. The easiest way to find yourself out of compliance for this is to just search Google Images for what you want and then to save the image. Most of the time you will be using an image that you do NOT have the rights to use, whether there is a watermark or not.
To use stock images, be sure you have an account with a reputable company where you can download stock images, both for free or at a cost, or that you’ve purchased the image outright. The best option is to use your phone and snap an image that works with the content you’re posting.
- Respect Privacy and Consent
If your image features individuals, especially in identifiable contexts, ensure you have their consent to use their likeness. For professional photoshoots, this typically means having a model release form. Be cautious when using customer photos or user-generated content—obtain their permission first. If you’re hosting an event and want to photograph it, you could have a waiver at the door or when they purchase their tickets. We always suggest using extra caution if minors will be in the pictures. People steal photos from public websites and social media platforms all the time, so it is best to be mindful and always get permission to share.
- Know Your Platform Guidelines
Each social media platform (like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) has its own set of guidelines and rules for posting content. Make sure you’re familiar with these terms to avoid any issues like your posts being taken down or accounts being flagged. Follow their guidelines for prohibited content like misleading imagery or graphic content. Occasionally your photos will still get flagged but as long as you are within the guidelines, you can dispute or appeal to the platform and typically it will be settled in a matter of hours.
- Avoid Misleading or Deceptive Imagery
Don’t use images that could mislead your audience, either by over-editing or using deceptive context. If you’re promoting a product, ensure that the images accurately represent the product or service being advertised. Photography of your own products is a simple task that can really give you a robust social media presence. They don’t have to be perfect; they just have to be real. Misleading images can harm your business’s reputation and may violate advertising rules. In the food and beverage industry, pictures of your own menu items will go so much further than a staged or stock photo.
- Stay Within Advertising and Trademark Laws
Be careful not to infringe on trademarks or intellectual property when using images of other brands, logos, or copyrighted works. If you’re promoting a product or service in an advertisement, ensure you follow local advertising laws, including any disclosures (such as “Paid Partnership” or “Sponsored Content”). Don’t create images, logos, phrases, events that “sound like” a well-known business and then try to market them as your own. Many small businesses and nonprofit organization have faced stiff fines for stealing this kind of intellectual property.
To put it bluntly, don’t steal other people’s images. Everyone walks around with a powerful camera right in their pocket which makes it so easy to get pictures of what’s happening in the business around you. Use it to your advantage! And, when you do use stock photos, download them the right way from sites that you trust. Screen shots of images you have found on Google just don’t cut it. And posting an image that has a watermark or trademark on it only hurts your reputation.
If you need product photography or unique graphics made that are on brand with your company, reach out to Green T Design and we’d be happy to help!
