Besides Pixabay, you can also use Unsplash to download royalty-free images too. May it be for your professional, personal, or even website use. Bearing in mind, images are one of the most important things to consider in visual content nowadays. Especially when putting up a new site or just updating old content.
And as a webmaster, you very well know that images are what completes and complements any website content. And now that in the past years, you either needed to provide your own images. Or rather, pay money to graphic designers and photography sites in order to use quality images.
But, all thanks to the emergence of various web application platforms — such as Unsplash and Pixabay — that allow us to download free images online.
Related Tool: Pixabay | Download Royalty-Free Images for Website Use
Whereby, through these platforms, you can download royalty-free images online. All without spending a single coin! And if need be, some of them even have methods that seamlessly allow you to appreciate the image creator — like the ”buy me a coffee” method.
Eventually, there are still some sites you can pay a certain fee to be able to access quality images for both your personal and commercial use. But, as time goes by, more and more free images are made available daily to the users of sites like Unsplash.
What is Unsplash?
Unsplash is a website platform dedicated to sharing stock photography under their license with over 207,000 contributing photographers. And it generates more than 17 billion photo impressions per month on its growing library of over 2 million photos. It’s time for a new kind of Internet Advertising.
Unsplash Inc. is a Canadian corporation that operates the Unsplash website at unsplash.com (the “Site”). As well as all related websites, software, mobile apps, and other services that they provide (together, the “Service”). With the goal of celebrating and enabling contributors and fostering creativity in the community.
In short, Unsplash is the internet’s source of freely usable images and it’s powered by creators everywhere. And since their photos are made to be used freely, their license has several aspects that beginners and pros should know first.
What is permitted: 👍
- All photos can be downloaded and used for free,
- For commercial and non-commercial purposes,
- No permission is needed (though attribution is appreciated!)
What’s not permitted: 👎
- Photos cannot be sold without significant modification,
- Compiling photos from Unsplash to replicate a similar or competing service.
All in all, their platform grants you an irrevocable, nonexclusive, worldwide copyright license. For you to download, copy, modify, distribute, perform, and use photos from Unsplash for free.
Including for commercial purposes, without permission from or attributing the photographer or Unsplash. But, as I mentioned above, this license does not include the right to compile photos from Unsplash to replicate a similar or competing service.
It’s time for a new kind of Internet Advertising
First of all, why is Unsplash important? Simply, because when it comes to content creation and content marketing, attention is a scarce asset. Yet, today’s advertising platforms are built on a model of interruption.
These forces brands between you and your intention. So, with that in mind, it’s time for a new kind of advertising for the internet. And although ads are everywhere, people don’t trust them. Even study after study shows when you pay to reach people in an interruptive way, less than 5% pay attention.
Meaning that, in today’s interruption advertising model, the more money you spend, the more people you annoy. Advertisers are trying to solve this lack of trust problem by spending more money and showing more ads but that only makes it worse.
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But, this is not a content problem. This is not a targeting problem. It’s a context problem. And as such, people don’t trust ads, they trust people. In that case, brands don’t need more ads. All they need are more people sharing their brand in trusted contexts.
By making images available for open use, Unsplash has become the primary source for visuals on the internet. Images on Unsplash are regularly seen more than on the front page of The New York Times. And Perse, Unsplash puts your content in the hands of people, the creators of the internet.
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Whereby, they add context by sharing your visuals with their audiences. And when your content is leveraged by choice and embedded in a trusted context, attention stays intact. Not forgetting, your content organically spreads across the internet.
And initially, you’ll be able to reach all the other creators. That’s where Unsplash comes in! Whereby, with their networks, you’ll be able to reach the entire internet. So, ads don’t have to be creepy or annoying to work. They just have to add value.
Furthermore, the attention of devoted audiences can only be earned by brands that stop trying to take their value for granted and start adding value. In other words, Internet Advertising is for those who know there’s a better way — you can join the waitlist to learn more.
How does Unsplash benefit Webmasters?
Well, every month, more media images on the web come from Unsplash than any other place. And not only that, but it’s now enabling brands to become part of the visual fabric of the internet by sharing their visuals. In fact, its beta program for brands is currently full.
So, to request an invite, you can fill out their online form for more support. But, before filling out the form, you should be prepared with a budget of a minimum of $50k. Not to mention, their inventory is typically sold out 1-3 months in advance.
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However, they check this interest form frequently. So, please be patient and understand that only ~10% of inquiries are a match. While on the other hand, if you’ll have any questions, you can contact their team at [email protected].
And having said that, let’s have a quick look at how it’s time for a new kind of Internet Advertising. While using Unsplash as our source of reference. You can read and learn more about their full Terms first. Then thereafter, consider their key Services below:
How does Unsplash work?
In the first place, following their Terms & Conditions, Unsplash is a photo discovery platform for free-to-use, high-definition photos.
The Service is designed for use by people who are at least 13 years old. Meaning that, if you are not yet 13, then you can’t use the Service. Moreover, if you are 13 years of age or older, you’ll need to promise to have never been suspended from any of their services.
As well as a promise that your use of their services won’t break any laws or regulations. And that if you are using their service on behalf of a company, organization, or any other kind of entity, you must represent yourself well first. Such that you have the authority to bind the organization to these Terms on its behalf.
1. Photos Upload
Unsplash allows photographers to upload photos to its website, which are then curated by a team of photo editors. The permissive copyright terms on its photos have led to Unsplash becoming one of the largest photography suppliers on the internet. With its members’ photos frequently appearing in articles.
Nevertheless, their decision to stop using a creative commons “zero” license in 2017 attracted so much criticism. As it took around 200,000 images out of the commons. The Unsplash license is incompatible with creative commons licenses. Preventing the use of its images on sites like Wikipedia.
In February 2018, they changed their license terms to restrict the sale of photos. Without first updating, modifying, or otherwise incorporating new creative elements into the photos. While at the same time, prohibiting the selling of unaltered copies. Including selling the photos as prints or printed on physical goods.
Also, in December 2019, the launch of Unsplash for Brands was a huge success. In order for advertisers to share their branded images. That said, you can go ahead and see its complete history from Wikipedia.
2. Photos Download
When you use their service, you’ll have the opportunity to join for free where you’ll register for an account. And as such, I suggest you register for an account first. Simply, because creating an account on their service gives you access to so many special features.
Such as around discovery, downloading, and contributing to the community. And as I said above, one of the best features of their service permits you to submit a photo on their web platform. This allows others to search, view, and download photographs (“Photos”).
And therefore, you too may download and use photos from their service. But, only in accordance with, and subject to, the Unsplash License. That’s why I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the Unsplash License first.
As well as the accompanying Press FAQs. In other words, there are photos for everyone. With over 2 million free high-resolution images brought to you by the world’s most generous community of photographers.
2. Royalty-Free Images
With over one million curated photos, they hand-select every photo and accept only the best. So that no matter what you need — you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. And it has a community of 211,166 photographers.
Unsplash is home to a growing community of photographers. From hobbyists, professionals, emerging brands, and everyone in between. What about fueling your favorite platforms in the middle of everything? It has partnered with the likes of BuzzFeed, Squarespace, and Trello.
While powering them with its unique API. Making their library even more widely accessible than ever. You’ll also be sure to make something awesome!
This is why, today — millions of creators from around the world have downloaded over 2 billion Unsplash images. As they create great presentations, artwork, mockups, and more. You can go ahead and find the perfect image right away.
2. WordPress Unsplash Plugin
So to speak, if you are a website designer/developer, the Unsplash WordPress Plugin has even made it so easy for you. As you’ll be able to download free, high-quality pictures to your website free of charge.
With Unsplash for WordPress, searching the internet’s largest library of freely usable images for your posts and pages is easier than ever. Right from the WordPress editor, you can access millions of HD photos for free, with no strings attached.
And in that case, you can search for the perfect image for your content from Unsplash directly from your WordPress editor. It has a great Keywords Search with instant results. Presenting you with a beautiful list of gorgeous images that you can use freely. With no stock image licensing or attribution required!
So, in short, adding an image to your post is super easy. Like adding to your posts and downloading to your Media Library automatically. And more so, it supports both the Block Editor and Classic Editor.
Is Unsplash really free?
Of course, Yes! And it’s a community that has gifted hundreds of thousands of their own photos to fuel creativity around the world. So, sign up for free, or don’t.
Either way, you’ve got access to over a million photos under the Unsplash License — making them free to do whatever you want. What’s more, is that anyone can join the community and start contributing. What are you waiting for?
You can see all the features and capabilities provided by the plugin. Or even go straight ahead and download the plugin files for your WordPress site.
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They’re the place where creators meet their audience, individuals become a community, and anyone can become a creative source.
Above all, you don’t need to know someone, have an agent or have a name to contribute to Unsplash. So, whether you’re new to photography or consider yourself a pro — your images are welcome here. It has over a million free high-resolution photos. You can Explore these popular photo categories on Unsplash.
Finally, I hope you’ve got a clear picture of what Unsplash is all about. But, if you’ll need more information, you can go ahead and Contact Us for more help. And for more questions related to this or other blog articles, you can share them in the comments section too.
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