Introducing SmartFrame Images: What you need to know

Our new SmartFrame Images platform is redefining how publishers and content owners use images online. Here, we explain what makes the platform so revolutionary and show you how to get started.

SmartFrame Images is designed to make sourcing and using editorial photography simple, cost free, and more secure. It removes the usual barriers around licensing and usage limits, and provides publishers with a straightforward way to embed high-quality images at scale.

Over 40 million images – and millions more added every week

The library includes more than 40 million images across a broad range of categories, from news, sport, and entertainment to lifestyle, culture, science, and more.

New content is added constantly, so you always have access to the latest moments and stories as they unfold.

So, whether you’re publishing breaking news or evergreen content, the platform ensures you always have something relevant ready to embed on your site.

No licensing fees

One of the biggest differences between SmartFrame Images and other platforms is that SmartFrame Images has no license costs or subscriptions.

This is all thanks to in-image advertising, which creates a fair system for all. Image rights holders are compensated fairly and publishers can earn from this advertising.

It’s a different way of doing things, but it’s fair and far more sustainable than the traditional model.

No limits on embedding

There are no monthly credit caps or usage thresholds. Whether you want to embed 10 images or 10,000, it’s entirely up to you.

You can also use the same image across multiple pages without restriction, helping you create consistent storytelling across your site.

Live Image Feed

If you want to see what’s new the moment it arrives, the Live Image Feed shows you the latest additions in real time. It’s the quickest way to stay ahead of major events, breaking news, and fresh editorial content.

Integrated captions

Every image comes with built-in captions that stay attached wherever the image is embedded. This ensures audiences always have the context they need – who took the photo, what it shows, when it was captured, and so on.

You don’t need to manually add or maintain captions yourself. The details are always accurate and consistent across your site.

These appear over the image when the user hovers over it, but otherwise remain hidden, giving users the benefit of both viewing options.

Content Credentials

With synthetic images becoming harder to distinguish from real ones, provenance matters more than ever.

SmartFrame Images supports Content Credentials, which gives you and your readers a clear view of how each image has been captured and handled.

This helps build trust, especially in news, sport, and cultural reporting, where accuracy and authenticity are critical.

Official and exclusive images

The platform includes a growing range of official and exclusive sports photography from partners such as Manchester City FC, Everton FC, Brentford FC, Six Nations Rugby, and New Zealand Rugby. This gives publishers direct access to premium, rights-cleared content that isn’t available elsewhere.

Alongside sport, the library also features editorial photography from agencies including action press international, ZUMA Press, SIPA USA, Pro Sports Images, News Images, and Every Second Media.

Earn while you publish

Whenever in-image advertising is displayed, publishers receive a share of the revenue. This means you can use premium editorial photography at no cost and still benefit financially.

Ads are either contextual or sponsorship placements designed to complement the images they appear in. They are brand safe, shown only occasionally, and capped in frequency to keep the user experience smooth for your audience.

WordPress integration

The SmartFrame Images WordPress plugin makes embedding even easier. It installs in minutes and lets you browse, search, and add images directly from within WordPress.

As long as you have a SmartFrame account, you can publish images without leaving your CMS.

Security built in

SmartFrame Images also helps protect images from unauthorized copying and misuse.

Conventional JPEG images are easy to copy and use in a way that’s not authorized by their owner. SmartFrame uses multi-layered security to prevent downloads and unauthorized redistribution – all without disrupting the viewing experience.

So … what are you waiting for?

SmartFrame Images is available now – and you can browse the collection without registration.

Want to start embedding images? Just register for an account and we’ll get you set up. Register here.