Watermarks on Images on Ruby Lane

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by CheriShops - Admin on February 6, 2012 at 11:29am

ah interesting! Now carol did mention once that the "Finds" are selected by computer, not by them sooooo I guess they have not told the 'puter about their no marks on photos rule ;-)

Honestly, with the chance of Google someday enforcing their rule, plus the RL stated preference for no marks...I just would not risk jeopardizing my listings by marking my photos

I do find people who have stolen my photos (and text) and when I do, I write to them to take it down immediately! If they don't co-operate, I report them to the venue they are on    (most often ebay !)

Dexter Grass said:

I thought I remembered that as well Cheri, but if you look at the Monthly Finds that they sent out on February 4, you'll see three that have something written, by the shop owner, on the picture that RL used in the email.  So I'm confused about that.  Happy Monday everyone, hope it's a terrific week for all!

CheriShops - Admin said:

I think the most "deciding" factor for me in not marking my photos is what Carol said about RL not using any marked photos for their promos......

Permalink Reply by 2Hearts Uptown @Ruby Lane on February 6, 2012 at 1:17pm

I tried last time this came up to ask the question directly to Google; no response.  A definitive - no guessing allowed - answer to this needs to be provided.   If Google had responded to me, I would have shared it... but evidently some source with more influence (Ruby Lane CEO, perhaps??) needs to get clarification.  Right now, since photos with text do still appear high on Google searches of text and images, either they are going to filter them out later, or else their ban applied to advertising and not to factual labeling (although how they could tell the difference is beyond me), or it applies to newer listings but not to older ones.   We need to know which answer is the correct one!  Speaking for myself, I strongly prefer to label my pictures with the name of the designer; I feel it helps folks looking at pages of products know more about what they are viewing - how can that not be a plus??   This is too important for us to have to keep guessing what Google really intends,  since the evidence (photos with text still appear) is contrary to what we think their stated policy is.  

Hoping for the "straight from the Google mouth" clarification,

D'Anne

Permalink Reply by Catisfaction on February 6, 2012 at 7:40pm

I watermark all my images due to previous theft of my work (and entire listings!)

Personally I DO consider myself a professional photographer. I make money from my images. They are what sells the items.

Regarding Google, I've never had a problem with my images coming up on Google. I use an opaque water mark that on many images isn't blatently obvious.

Regarding books or websites using my images for their literature, I have had several people request my images for such things, all of them have recieved high resolution unmarked images for their material and it's never been an issue.

Regarding re-doing all your images in your shop. Something people might consider for future use is a system I have in place.

I never edit my original images. I import them to my computer and then create a file inside the file which is called "Edited", I then work through them in photoshop, crop, adjust rotation if they're leaning, resize and watermark them. Once they are all done I delete the ones I decided weren't good enough.

I then create another folder within the edited folder. This one I call "Watermarked", I copy all the edited images into the watermarked folder and then go through and water mark them all.

This means that I always have the original file to work from should someone need a large file image for a book etc. I also have the edited image with no watermark should someone wish to use it for a web site or should (google happen!) and I have to edit all my listings to not include a watermark (so not happening right now but we'll see where this goes down the line), and I have my watermarked images to go in the listing.

I don't throw out images either (other than the copy of originals I don't edit), I have hundreds of high quality shots should I need them down the line for a web site or whatever.

What I'd really like to look into is just HOW google would know if your image had a water mark. I suppose if it's dark against light or vice versa it might be easy for it to recognise the shapes but can it recognise them if they're opaque and blending in? Some of my images you can barely even tell it's there (things that have busy patterns etc). Really interested to learn more about this.

Permalink Reply by Charmed Life on February 6, 2012 at 7:56pm

I have no idea how Google would know about watermarks.

I went to wiki and read about digitally watermarked images.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_watermarking

My interpretation of what I read there is that "watermarking" a digital image adds some metadata to the file, and that may be what Google picks up on when scanning through images.

That, of course, is my wild guess (WAG).

Permalink Reply by RC Antiques on February 6, 2012 at 8:00pm

RC Antiques said:

To Catsisfaction, and others,

When I said, we are not professional photographers, but , shop owners, I meant, as a general rule.

I did not get a degree in photography, but am very proud of all of my photos...and the photos of my items is what helps me get attention to my item.

I needed to respond to your statement, to clarify myself.

Sincerely,

Linda Caricofe,

RC Antiques on Ruby Lane

Permalink Reply by Holly Lane Antiques on February 6, 2012 at 8:02pm

How do you do an opaque watermark using photoshop?

Thanks!

Catisfaction said:

I watermark all my images due to previous theft of my work (and entire listings!)

Personally I DO consider myself a professional photographer. I make money from my images. They are what sells the items.

Regarding Google, I've never had a problem with my images coming up on Google. I use an opaque water mark that on many images isn't blatently obvious.

Regarding books or websites using my images for their literature, I have had several people request my images for such things, all of them have recieved high resolution unmarked images for their material and it's never been an issue.

Regarding re-doing all your images in your shop. Something people might consider for future use is a system I have in place.

I never edit my original images. I import them to my computer and then create a file inside the file which is called "Edited", I then work through them in photoshop, crop, adjust rotation if they're leaning, resize and watermark them. Once they are all done I delete the ones I decided weren't good enough.

I then create another folder within the edited folder. This one I call "Watermarked", I copy all the edited images into the watermarked folder and then go through and water mark them all.

This means that I always have the original file to work from should someone need a large file image for a book etc. I also have the edited image with no watermark should someone wish to use it for a web site or should (google happen!) and I have to edit all my listings to not include a watermark (so not happening right now but we'll see where this goes down the line), and I have my watermarked images to go in the listing.

I don't throw out images either (other than the copy of originals I don't edit), I have hundreds of high quality shots should I need them down the line for a web site or whatever.

What I'd really like to look into is just HOW google would know if your image had a water mark. I suppose if it's dark against light or vice versa it might be easy for it to recognise the shapes but can it recognise them if they're opaque and blending in? Some of my images you can barely even tell it's there (things that have busy patterns etc). Really interested to learn more about this.

Permalink Reply by CheriShops - Admin on February 6, 2012 at 8:51pm

just an FYI that Carol will try to get some "official" info on this for us tomorrow.

Permalink Reply by Catisfaction on February 7, 2012 at 7:22pm

Linda ~ I understand the clarification :) Thanks for that.

Charmed thanks for the info about the meta data. I had wondered if there was something like that which was more of a Watermark than just slapping an image over another one :)

Holly.

In Photoshop I create a file that is approximately the size I'd want  a watermark in comparison to the size I generally resize my images. I make sure it has a blank background, not black nor white.

Then using the Text, still in photoshop, I write the name of my shop, then hunt for an appropriate font.

I usually then edit the color of the text tosome shade of grey and then I save it.

Each time I do a batch of pics I open them all up when they're all edited etc, open the file with the name in it. Highlight the whole image of the name and copy it to my clip board.

Then I just go through and paste it to each image (it pastes in the center but you can then move it if you so wish) and toggle the opaqueness in the top of the layer palette.

Maybe I can figure out how to record my screed and create a video demonstration some day.

Permalink Reply by Ruby Lane on February 8, 2012 at 4:42pm

Hi Folks,

Correct: You should not put text or watermarks on/in your images.

1) It is against the Google Shopping rules (this may apply to an organic search as well) but what is important to note is we submit your items to Google Shopping so all of us need to abide by Google's rules (not that I think Google enforces this particular requirement but one should assume at some point they will)

2) We do not filter out images with text or watermarks, but should Google come to us and say "knock it off or else" ... well, who knows what might be required to remedy the situation.

3) We 'rarely' feature item photos on Facebook and other social media sites which contain text or water marks. We  definitely never use them in any type of online advertisement.  I say 'rarely' because sometimes I or whomever is posting items to Facebook on any given day is busy and moving fast and forgets the rule.... I admit it, I am guilty. 

4) Just a reminder if you don't have the size, color, etc. filled out for an item listing (for those items that require it) your items are not being submitted to Google shopping.

5) And, if you have quote marks or exclamation points in your title, then I suggest you remove them. They also can cause issues with Google.   In fact, don't use any punctuation or characters in your titles and then we are all good. (Even though Google does allow some punctuation.) There is one exception to this rule, but I don't think it applies here, it is for the Jewelry Artisans, no point in going into that.

6) The Monthly Finds is an automated system so if someone submits an item to the Monthly Finds with text or watermarks in their images, then yes, you may see them in the newsletters or on the Monthly Finds page. I don't know if the Monthly Finds page is submitted to Google Shopping or not. I will check on it.

Did I cover everything?

Carol

Permalink Reply by 2Hearts Uptown @Ruby Lane on February 8, 2012 at 5:41pm

Very thorough, thanks!  Am assuming that your source for this information was talking to a person "in the know" at Goggle directly.   Most of what I've read previously has been someone's interpretation of Goggle's post about this, which had some ambiguity in its wording.   Particularly since, as you noted, Goggle itself isn't currently enforcing that rule.  I will take this as The Final Answer.

D'Anne

Ruby Lane - Carol Augustine said:

Hi Folks,

Correct: You should not put text or watermarks on/in your images.

1) It is against the Google Shopping rules (this may apply to an organic search as well) but what is important to note is we submit your items to Google Shopping so all of us need to abide by Google's rules (not that I think Google enforces this particular requirement but one should assume at some point they will)

2) We do not filter out images with text or watermarks, but should Google come to us and say "knock it off or else" ... well, who knows what might be required to remedy the situation.

3) We 'rarely' feature item photos on Facebook and other social media sites which contain text or water marks. We  definitely never use them in any type of online advertisement.  I say 'rarely' because sometimes I or whomever is posting items to Facebook on any given day is busy and moving fast and forgets the rule.... I admit it, I am guilty. 

4) Just a reminder if you don't have the size, color, etc. filled out for an item listing (for those items that require it) your items are not being submitted to Google shopping.

5) And, if you have quote marks or exclamation points in your title, then I suggest you remove them. They also can cause issues with Google.   In fact, don't use any punctuation or characters in your titles and then we are all good. (Even though Google does allow some punctuation.) There is one exception to this rule, but I don't think it applies here, it is for the Jewelry Artisans, no point in going into that.

6) The Monthly Finds is an automated system so if someone submits an item to the Monthly Finds with text or watermarks in their images, then yes, you may see them in the newsletters or on the Monthly Finds page. I don't know if the Monthly Finds page is submitted to Google Shopping or not. I will check on it.

Did I cover everything?

Carol

Permalink Reply by RC Antiques on February 8, 2012 at 7:48pm

Wow, good info to know Carol.

It motivates me to correct my photos...most are in tiny print, not a water mark..but still..I will get her done :-)

I am excited, I just found the Pinterest button on my RL page, WWWHHOPPEEEE!

Ruby Lane totally rocks!

Permalink Reply by Catisfaction on February 8, 2012 at 8:25pm

Thanks for all the answers Carol!

I'm curious, if we shouldn't be watermarking our images is there anything else we can do to prevent image theft? It's a sad day that google won't let us protect our own images :(

Go Linda!! RL Rocks!

I found one on my Bonanza pages this morning too ;)

They make pinning so much easier!

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