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Using Google for Effective Research

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Google Images and Copyright

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Pro tip: Using Google Images does not guarantee that images are free to use.
While Google Images is a powerful tool for finding visual content, many of the images it indexes are protected by copyright. Always check the usage rights by clicking on “Tools” and selecting “Usage rights” to filter for images labeled for reuse. Even then, verify the license and attribution requirements before using any image in your work.

Open Access and Rights-Cleared Image Options

To avoid plagiarism and copyright infringement, always obtain permission and credit the source of any images, graphs, photographs, or other visual materials. Even if content is freely available online, it may still be protected by copyright. Proper attribution and usage rights are essential when incorporating visuals into your work

Check out some popular image collections. Always check the license or usage guidelines as they may differ from site to site: