Does your online store rely on supplier-sourced product pictures? Do you outsource product photography to freelancers or third-party teams? If so, you must be careful about the authenticity of the images. Why? Using copied, edited, or misleading visuals can quickly damage your brand’s reputation. Yes, you heard that right.
You might have been working with them for years and trust their work, but that doesn't mean every image they provide is original. Sometimes, suppliers or photographers might reuse photographs from other sources without permission. This small mistake can lead to big problems for you, such as copyright complaints or customer distrust.
That’s why you should always verify if the pictures you receive are genuine. But the question is, how exactly to do that? We have listed a few innovative options in this article to help you do so effectively. So, let’s set off on a journey of learning those techniques.
Check If The Provided Pictures Appear Elsewhere
When someone else creates images for your items, it’s natural to be concerned about whether they’re original or taken from somewhere else. So first of all, address this doubt by checking if the pictures appear on any other sources. But for that, you can’t sift through the entire web on your own.
Instead, you need to have technology as your partner in this regard. Fortunately, a tech-based solution for this problem has existed for a long time in the form of reverse image search. It's basically a way to explore the web using photos, which results in showing all the places where the same image appears.
That means searching by picture can reveal the truth behind a product photo. So, you must use it to your advantage when doing verification. The good thing is that it’s pretty easy to use. All you need to do is
- Open an image search tool on any browser.
- Upload a reference picture of your items.
- Start the search and review the results.
By carefully reviewing the matches, you can identify the instances of the photo being copied from others. This way, you can refrain from sharing such photographs in your store and ensure your customers’ trust remains intact.
Look For Signs Of AI Involvement In The Photos
Despite being stolen, your product pictures might have been generated by AI without your consent. The verification matters, especially when the supplier claims the pictures to be originally created, but they seem to have AI traces.
The reason you should verify such pictures is that they may have small to significant differences in product details. That means if you upload them, they might mislead customers and lead to returns and lost trust.
Therefore, it’s not just a formality but a necessity to look for typical AI signs in outsourced e-commerce photography, allowing you to maintain brand credibility. But the question is, what indications highlight AI involvement? Well, here are the common ones:
- Unnatural textures or patterns
- Distorted edges or shapes
- Incorrect reflections
- Missing or misplaced shadows
- Overly perfect symmetry
- Background anomalies
- Exceptional smoothness
Watch Out For Traces Of Manual Manipulation
Another risk that necessitates the authentication of product photos is manual manipulation. Some images may be altered to make the product appear more appealing than it actually is. For instance, let’s say you sell used antique items that initially have scratches.
However, the agency or freelancer you outsourced the photography to edited those scratches out or adjusted colors to make it look newer. This way, the image becomes misleading and can directly hurt the emotions of the customer when they receive the product.
That’s why, don’t compromise on tracing the signs of manipulation and correcting them before uploading the photographs. Here is how you can do it effectively:
- Zoom in to detect overly smooth or blurred areas.
- Check for inconsistent lighting, shadows, or reflections.
- Compare multiple photos of the same item for accuracy.
- Compare the image with the actual item if possible.
Examine Metadata To Verify Image Ownership
Another helpful technique to verify the authenticity of images of e-commerce items is to inspect metadata. This is particularly important when you ask the supplier to provide the sourced photos initially from an affiliate brand.
Besides that, it could also prove beneficial when you want to ensure that the pictures you upload to your store clearly reflect your ownership. Metadata has a dedicated section that stores information about the image owner. This is usually called administrative metadata.
To check it,
- Right-click on the picture file.
- Select "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac).
- Navigate to the "Details" or "More Info" tab to view metadata.
You can also view metadata through EXIF tools. Once opened, look for fields such as Author/Creator and Copyright. Here, verify that this information matches what it is supposed to show. By doing so, you actually stay safe from copyright issues, which protects your brand from legal troubles and prevents damage to your image in front of prospective shoppers.
Check Stock Image Licensing If Used In Pictures
Sometimes, stock pictures may have been used in your product photography without you even knowing about it. These are mainly used for backgrounds, props, or design elements to make the item look more appealing. And the fact is, they are not all free.
Instead, some may be paid and come with strict licensing terms. While professional photographers and agencies take care of this in most cases, it's still your responsibility to confirm that every stock image used is appropriately licensed.
Otherwise, you may be accused of copyright infringement, which can have a bad impression on customers. That’s why you should make sure that you recheck the status of stock media if used.
For that, all you need to do is
- Go to the respective platform.
- Navigate to the intended image.
- Review the attached licensing terms.
You may also ask the supplier for the licensing document or proof of purchase for the stock image.
Confirm Product Image Rights With The Suppliers
One more important step in verifying product images is to confirm the image rights directly with your suppliers. Even if they provide images claiming to be original, it is essential to have written confirmation. This adds another layer of protection for your online business.
So, as you receive the pictures, request a formal statement or email that clearly confirms your right to use them. This should include details about
- Ownership
- Usage limits
- Exclusivity
- Copyright status
- Modification
When you are aware of all these necessary things, you can easily decide whether the photos are ready to be used on your online store or not. In case the product pictures have been sourced from the original brand, you can also ask the supplier for written proof of authorization from the brand. This ensures that the images are fully cleared for your use.
