Last updated on July 5th, 2024 at 10:58 am

Header image source Pixabay

Over the past few days, I’ve seen a rise in social media profiles that are using other creators’ or platform users’ content. The profiles aren’t even giving the person credit they are just posting the picture as their own.

Granted this isn’t anything new but with there is an uptick of this. I’ve seen this with two different accounts via Instagram,

I don’t know if the accounts are fake profiles that curate content. This means it’s a bot that pulls various images from the site and adds them to the created profile. Or if it’s run by an actual person who wants to gain popularity.

Either way, it’s not ethical to steal someone else’s content. No matter what it is. Photos, video, audio. If you didn’t create it it’s stealing.

Tips to combat content stealing

Granted this may not be possible for all forms of content. Especially if you are using social media platforms. But still here are a few tips you can try to see if you can combat content stealing.

add a watermark

This one may not always work and if you are creating content for brands this may be out of the question. But if you are posting content to your social media or website you can try this technique.

If you don’t know what a watermark is it’s a layer of text you can add to a photo. Some add it at the bottom but it’s suggested you added it over the main area of the image that way it’s harder for someone to remove it or crop it out.

Here’s an example of one I created using our site header image and an older version of Photoshop.

How to create the watermark

You can use any photo editing software you like free or paid.

Here are the steps to creating the watermark.

1. Choose the image you are going to post.
2. Open a photo editor (canva, photoshop, lightroom, or even Microsoft Paint)
3. open the image you selected to post.
4. Find where you would like to place the text. (IG handle, site name social media handle etc.)
5. Add text in the desired location.
6. Adjust font color, size, type, etc.
7. Once it fits your desired look save the file.

Please note that some photo editors may offer more options such as font transparency or styling.

If you have your own website

If you run your own website you can see if they offer options to protect your content. Some programs such as WordPress offer an option that won’t allow you to right-click on an image.

Other software may have something different.

What you can do if your content is stolen

There are a few things you can do if your content is stolen. Each social media platform has its own reporting rules.

For example, if you are using Instagram you can report the post as intellectual property violation.

You would click on the three dots at the top right of the photo.

click or tap report.

Find it in the list that pops up.

This can be done on the app or on desktop.

Another thing you can do is share that the profile is stealing content from your profile or other users via your stories on Instagram. That’s one of the ways to get the word out.

Over the weekend I saw a profile be taken down in as little as a day due to people blocking, reporting, and sharing that they were stealing content.

If your content is being used on a website

Now if your content is being used on a website you can contact the site it’s being used on. You can kindly request that the content be removed. Or if you would like to be credited you can express that as well.

I had a site upset because I requested they remove one of my Youtube videos that they posted without my permission.

I emailed them asking that the video be removed because I did not give them consent to use my content.

If the site using your content doesn’t follow through you can follow up and give them an ultimatum. Some folks threaten to sue but that may be a last-case resort.

All we can do is try to stay vigilant and make sure our content isn’t used without your consent. No one should steal someone else’s work and pass it off as their own.