What Shutterstock Editorial Use Is

Shutterstock offers a wide variety of images, including those marked for “editorial use.” These images are meant for non-commercial purposes, meaning they can't be used for advertising or promotional materials. Editorial content is focused on real-life situations, current events, and recognizable people, places, and products. This type of licensing is perfect for journalists, bloggers, and publishers who need visuals for informative or news-related content.

How Editorial Use Images Differ from Commercial Images

Editorial images and commercial images serve different purposes. Commercial images are created with advertising in mind, allowing brands to use them freely in promotional content, such as ads, product packaging, or branding materials. In contrast, editorial images are restricted to newsworthy or informational use.

Here’s a quick comparison of editorial and commercial image usage:

Examples of Editorial Content on Shutterstock

Shutterstock’s editorial section includes images that capture current events, famous locations, and popular public figures. This can range from photos of political events to images of crowds at a concert or shots of landmarks like the Eiffel Tower. These images help enhance articles and blog posts by giving a real-world context.

Common examples of editorial images on Shutterstock include:

• Celebrity Events: Photos of public figures at award shows or film premieres.
• Sports Events: Action shots of players during live games.
• City Scenes: Street photography capturing everyday life in different cities.
• Landmarks: Well-known buildings or monuments that help convey a sense of place.

These images are valuable for news outlets, bloggers, and online magazines seeking authenticity in their content without violating commercial use restrictions.

When to Use Editorial Images

Editorial images are perfect for content that informs or discusses real-world events, people, or places, especially when commercial images wouldn't capture the authenticity needed. If you're creating news articles, blog posts, or informational content about current events, public figures, or branded locations, editorial images are the best fit.

Consider using editorial images in these scenarios:

• News and Journalism: For articles covering events, public figures, or breaking news, editorial images are ideal as they portray real-life situations.
• Blogging and Commentary: For blog posts discussing trends, product reviews, or societal issues, editorial images add authenticity and support your narrative.
• Social Media Posts: When sharing opinions on current events or discussing trends, editorial images can make posts more engaging and relevant.

Keep in mind that editorial images are not suited for advertisements, branding, or any commercial use. Their purpose is to provide context and relevance, helping readers visually connect with real-world topics.

How to Search for Editorial Use Images on Shutterstock

Shutterstock makes it easy to find editorial images with a few specific steps. To quickly locate these images, follow this guide:

1. Use the Search Bar: Enter keywords relevant to the event, person, or place you’re looking for, like "New York City street" or "celebrity red carpet."
2. Filter by License Type: Once you have results, go to the filters section and select “Editorial Use Only.” This option will limit your search to images tagged for editorial purposes.
3. Explore the Editorial Collection: Shutterstock often features editorial content collections on its homepage, which you can browse for inspiration and trending topics.

By following these steps, you can find relevant editorial images that align with your informational or news-based content. Just remember to double-check that the “Editorial Use Only” label is visible before downloading any images to ensure proper licensing.

Licensing and Limitations of Shutterstock Editorial Use

Shutterstock’s editorial use images come with a unique licensing structure that limits their use to certain contexts. These images can be used only in news, educational, or non-commercial projects. Any commercial use, like in ads, promotional materials, or product packaging, is prohibited.

Here’s a summary of Shutterstock's editorial image licensing and its limitations:

Another limitation is that editorial images often include recognizable people, brands, or locations, meaning they don’t require model or property releases. However, this also restricts their usage to avoid portraying people or places in a way that implies endorsement. For these reasons, editorial images are ideal for factual storytelling rather than promotional content.

Who Should Use Shutterstock Editorial Images

Shutterstock editorial images are perfect for anyone looking to add authentic, real-world visuals to content that informs or tells a story. This type of imagery is suited for a wide range of users who aim to cover current events, societal topics, or real-life scenarios without promoting products or services.

Here are some key users who benefit from Shutterstock editorial images:

• Journalists and News Outlets: Editorial images are highly valuable for news websites, newspapers, and magazines that require images of current events, public figures, or cityscapes for articles.
• Bloggers and Content Creators: For bloggers discussing lifestyle, travel, culture, or social issues, editorial images help connect the reader to the topic with genuine visuals.
• Educators and Researchers: Teachers and researchers who use visuals in presentations or academic articles can benefit from editorial images to illustrate real-world contexts without needing commercial permissions.
• Social Media Managers: Editorial images can enhance posts for platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, especially for accounts focused on news, education, or public awareness, though they should avoid using them for promotions.

In short, anyone needing realistic images for informative or story-driven content without a promotional angle will find editorial images highly useful.

Common Misconceptions About Editorial Use on Shutterstock

There are some misunderstandings about what Shutterstock’s editorial images can and cannot be used for. Let’s clear up some of the most common misconceptions:

• “Editorial images can be used in advertising if they feature famous landmarks.” Not true. Even if the image features well-known places, editorial images cannot be used in any commercial or promotional materials.
• “These images are free from all usage restrictions.” Editorial images have restrictions and can only be used for non-commercial, informative purposes. Using them for branding, endorsements, or product promotions is against Shutterstock’s guidelines.
• “Editorial images do not need credit.” While Shutterstock doesn’t mandate crediting, some publishers may require attribution, especially in journalistic or academic contexts. Giving credit can also help avoid any misunderstandings.
• “Editorial images always have model and property releases.” Editorial images do not have releases because they capture real-life situations, people, and places. This limits them strictly to non-commercial use.

By understanding these nuances, users can avoid misusing Shutterstock’s editorial images and stay within legal and ethical boundaries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shutterstock Editorial Use

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Shutterstock editorial use to help clarify its purpose and limitations:

• Can I use editorial images on my business website?

  No, editorial images are not meant for commercial use, which includes using them on business websites or any site intended to promote products or services. They’re ideal for news-related content or educational purposes instead.

• Do editorial images require crediting the photographer?

  While Shutterstock does not require users to credit photographers, certain publications, especially journalistic ones, may have their own guidelines on attribution.

• What if I modify an editorial image? Can it be used commercially then?

  No, modifying an editorial image does not change its license. It still cannot be used for commercial purposes even with alterations.

• Are there any situations where editorial images can be used for marketing?

  No, editorial images are strictly for non-commercial use. They should never be used to market, endorse, or promote any product or service.

These FAQs address some key points to help users understand how to correctly utilize Shutterstock editorial images. If in doubt, always refer to Shutterstock’s usage guidelines for editorial content.

Final Thoughts on Using Shutterstock Editorial Images

Shutterstock editorial images offer a valuable resource for content that needs a realistic, journalistic touch. With these images, bloggers, journalists, educators, and social media managers can add authenticity and context to stories, articles, and social posts without the need for extensive permissions. However, it’s essential to remember that editorial images come with usage limitations. They are strictly for non-commercial purposes, meaning they should never be used for advertising or promotion.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can use editorial images effectively and ethically. Whenever in doubt, consult Shutterstock’s editorial guidelines to ensure you’re using the images correctly. This careful approach not only respects the legal boundaries but also contributes to responsible and credible content creation.