Must Read If You Upload Photos To Google Products

by Debi Auger

Do you upload photos to Google products? 

And I don't just mean to Picasa. I mean ANY Google products... as in Google+ , Blogger, etc. If your answer is yes, then you need to read this!

In addition to their downloadable Picasa service, they also use Picasa Web Albums. This service holds all the photos you upload to Google products... like the photos you upload to Google+ and to your Blogger blog.

If you're like me and don't use Picasa, you probably didn't know this and/or don't check the service. But you should.

Automatic PicasaWeb Settings May Give Permissions You Don't Want Granted

Unfortunately the automatic settings in PicasaWeb may give permissions you don't want people to have... like the ability to order prints of your images, download them and use them. Uh-oh!

The good thing is, now that you know this, you can fix it to your liking. Here's how.

Choosing Your Privacy and Permission Settings in PicasaWeb

The first step is to go to Picasaweb.google.com.

Click on the cog wheel in the uppermost right corner:

Choose Photo Settings:

Click on Privacy and Permissions:

This is the screen that will come up and here's what to do:

1. "Allow any visitor to" may have one or both options automatically checked off. If you don't want to allow these actions for your photos, uncheck the boxes.

2. Next, check the Creative Commons permission setting. If you don't want your photos used, select  'Do not allow reuse (All rights reserved).' Or you can allow reuse with attribution if you so choose. If you want more information about Creative Commons licenses before you decide, click the 'Learn more' link under the Creative Commons heading.

3. Once you have everything set to your satisfaction, click 'Save Changes.'

You have now taken control over the images you post to Google :)

Much success,

Share your thoughts...