Google Removes Labeled for Reuse Options from Google Image Search Tools

In a quiet move, Google has removed both the “Labeled for Reuse” and “Labeled for Reuse with Modification” feature from its image search tools.

It’s disarming to remove an entire subset of imagery that, according to Google, people should use.

Google has removed the features Labeled for Reuse and Labeled for Reuse with Modification from its image search tools.

It has long been known that Google gives priority to unique content and that stock images can often negatively affect SERPs on your website.

“Creative Commons Licenses” is a NEW option among the others that have been removed in the image search tools usage rights. At first glance, this appears to be a good update.

Aaron Swartz, the late co-founder of Reddit and a proponent of a decentralized, open-source internet, was instrumental in the early stages of Creative Commons’ development.

Unlike the “Labeled for Reuse” and “Labeled for Reuse with Modification” options, however, every Creative Commons license requires attribution to the original creator as well as a link to the original work.

While all the Labeled for Reuse and Labeled for Reuse with Modification Images still required further investigation to determine whether the license required assignment, most of the images in these categories did not.

What Does This Mean To Advertisers & Marketers?

A large number of SEOs will adopt Creative Commons licensing in order to build links. Big brands such as Boxed Water and The Honest Company have already adopted these strategies on websites like Unsplash and Pexels, but even on those platforms, you are allowed to reuse and modify the image, with just a suggested, but not required attribution.

Certain creator content appears to be completely de-indexed unless it is licensed under a Creative Commons license. You know that pet name directory that was built in 2009 using Dreamweaver and Artisteer whose unknowingly optimized alt tags had the images ranking on the first page for big money keywords? Gone.

Image rankings are going to take a huge hit, so keep your finger on the pulse, start creating your own content, and hit a CC license on it if you want to get ahead of the impact.

Also, see Google just Ended Unlimited Free Storage for Google Photos