When searching for images, graphics, or digital media across search engines like Google or Bing, you will often encounter a setting called “Usage Rights” with a default option selected: “Not filtered by license”.
Understanding what this phrase actually means is crucial for anyone creating content, building websites, or conducting research online.
What Does “Not Filtered by License” Mean?
In simple terms, “not filtered by license” means that the search engine is showing you every single result matching your query across the web, regardless of its copyright status or legal restrictions.
When this setting is active, the search algorithm does not screen results for Creative Commons, public domain, or commercial reuse permissions. You will see:
- Strictly copyrighted material owned by corporations, photographers, or artists.
- Open-source or free-to-use media that requires attribution.
- Public domain works that are entirely free for anyone to use.
- Personal or restricted content locked behind paywalls or private sites.
In short, it is a wide-open, unfiltered window to everything indexed on the internet on that topic.
Why Is It the Default Setting?
Search engines default to “not filtered by license” for one primary reason: relevance and comprehensiveness.
If a search engine automatically filtered out copyrighted items, it would hide a massive portion of the internet’s visual or textual database. If you are searching for a specific historical photo, a piece of fine art, or a brand logo for educational reference, you want to see the original source, even if you aren’t allowed to reuse it. The unfiltered view ensures you get the most accurate and complete search results possible.
The Hidden Dangers of “Unfiltered” Content
The biggest misconception users have is assuming that because an image or piece of content appears in a search engine, it is free to take and use.
Using content found under a “not filtered by license” search without checking its legal status can lead to severe consequences:
- Copyright Infringement: Using a photographer’s copyrighted work on a business website, blog post, or advertisement without permission can result in costly legal takedown notices or lawsuits.
- Missing Metadata: Search engines rely on text provided by host websites. Sometimes, sites incorrectly label or fail to label content, meaning an item pulled from an unfiltered search might look free when it actually isn’t.
- Lack of Attribution Guidelines: Even if content is free to share, unfiltered results rarely give you clear instructions on how to properly credit the creator, which is a requirement for many open licenses.
When to Use “Unfiltered” vs. Filtered Searches
Knowing when to switch your search filters can save you legal headaches and streamline your workflow.
| Search Mode | Best Used For | What to Watch Out For |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Not Filtered by License (Default) | • Finding the original source of an image
• Personal research & mood boards
• Pure inspiration & browsing | High risk for reuse; assume everything is copyrighted unless proven otherwise. |
| Filtered by License (
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