How to find images with open licenses using the Google Images tool

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

Content

Steps

Google Image Search Tool

Search and filter results by image license

Combine usage rights with image types

Identify the usage rights and download the selected image according to its source

If you're looking for images to accompany your article and wish to find those with open licenses, such as Creative Commons-licensed images that can be shared, reused, and modified when necessary, this article will guide you on how to do so with the help of the Google Images search tool.

Steps

Google Image Search Tool

Access the tool. To get to the Google Images search tool, visit: https://images.google.com/.

Search box. In the center of the screen is a long rectangular box—this is the search field where you will enter any search term.
Search icon. On the far-right side of the search field is a small magnifying glass. Click it to execute your search, or press the Enter key on your keyboard.
Image search icon. Just to the left of the magnifying glass is a small camera icon. Hovering your mouse over it will show the phrase ‘Search by image’, indicating that this is the tool designed for searching Google images.

Search and filter results by image license

Enter any search term you'd like. For example, if you're looking for flower images, type ‘flower images’ into the search field and press Enter.

Working with search results.Openly licensedCC0Search toolsUsage rights

The default option is ‘Not filtered by license’. With this setting, flower images can either be open-licensed or not. Non-open licenses are typically exclusive and require permission and/or payment to the author to avoid copyright violations.
Labeled for reuse with modification. This option allows you to reuse and modify the selected flower image. It’s the most flexible option, similar to selecting an image with a CC BY or CC BY-SA license.
Labeled for reuse. Choose this if you wish to reuse the flower image without modifications. This is similar to selecting an image with a CC BY-ND license.
Labeled for Non-Commercial reuse with modification. Select this if you plan to reuse and modify the flower image for non-commercial purposes. This is like choosing a license such as CC BY-NC or CC BY-NC-SA.
Labeled for Non-Commercial reuse. Opt for this if you intend to reuse the flower image for non-commercial purposes without making modifications. This is similar to selecting an image with a CC BY-NC-ND license.

Combine usage rights with image types

By default, all image types (Type) are selected.PortraitImageIllustrationSketchMotion GraphicsIllustration

Sketch

Identify the usage rights and download the selected image according to its source

Determine the source of the image.Labeled for Non-Commercial reuse with modificationLabeled for Non-Commercial reuse with modification

Identify the license based on the image source and download it for use.

Pixabay

In this specific example, the selected flower image is licensed under CC0 and is in the public domain (Public Domain). You are free to use it, even for commercial purposes (Free for commercial use), and there is no requirement to attribute the author (No attribution required). The image is also available for download and use.

Free DownloadDownload

Re-enter the sample captcha to download the image without needing to sign up on Pixabay.

captchausernameEmail addressPasswordRegister

FacebookJoin Pixabay

Wikimedia Commons

In this specific example, the selected image of the flower is in the public domain (Public Domain) and the author has granted anyone the right to use this image for any purpose without any conditions, unless required by law. To download the image, right-click on one of the links to different image sizes just below the picture and select ‘Save link’ (Save link).

Wikipedia

In this specific case, the selected flower image is under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license – CC BY-SA. You are allowed to share, reuse, and modify the image, as long as you credit the author by providing a link to the original image. Additionally, if you modify the original image, your derivative work must also be licensed under CC BY-SA. To download the image, right-click on one of the links to different image sizes just below the picture and select ‘Save link’ (Save link).

Advice

With the two menus visible when searching for images using Google Images, you have more features and options available if you are interested in exploring them further.
On Google Images, you can search for any image using Vietnamese. However, most websites that contain images do not support this feature and will not work with Vietnamese. You will need to type search terms, usually in English.
There are other websites and methods to search for freely licensed images available on the Internet that you can use without restrictions.

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