June 23, 2025
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Should You Use Stock Photos for Social Media? Pros & Cons
In an ideal world, all content would be acceptable for social media. Unfortunately, this is far from the ideal world we want. From Quality Content to Captions, every little detail is important to promote growth and build a healthy following on social media. Given the lack of time business owner's have, is it a good idea to use Stock Footage to promote their brand.
Pro's of Stock Footage
Con's of Stock Footage
Why You Should Use Them
What are Stock Photo's?
Stock Photo's are Royalty Free or Licensed Images that Businesses and Marketers can use without having to Create Original Content. Popular Platforms include Unsplash, Pexels, Shutterstock, and Adobe Stock.
✅ Pro's of Using Stock Photo's for Social Media
Convenient and Time-Saving
Creating your own Content is time consuming, I know, but Stock Images are such a Convenient way to keep up to date on your posts. They're ready made and easy to use.
Budget-Friendly
The feasibility of hiring a Photographer or Designer isn't always that simple. They may not see the same vision that you're seeing, therefore Stock Images may be a suitable alternative for a Small Business as they offer High Quality Visuals for very little cost.
Professional Quality
Many of the Stock Images placed on particular websites are High Quality, which provides the Convenience to uphold your particular aesthetic and consistent look of your Social Media Platforms.
Greater for Filler Content
Need to Announce a Bank Holiday, Share a Quote, or Break-Up a Content Heavy Week? Stock Images can Support these Lighter Posts.
❌ Con's of Using Stock Photo's for Social Media
Lack of Originality
We must consider that Stock Images has a high chance of use already. With this likely chance of use, it may reduce the impact of your post and platforms may not promote your post due to duplication. I must refer to a Primary School Idiom "It must be too Good to be True".
Inauthentic Brand Voice
People buy from People, Stock Images may not represent your team, your product, or your UK-Based Audience Authentically.
Lower Engagement
Using Stock Images may lead to being Shadow Banned by Social Media Platforms, which causes a knock-on effect on your future content. This could be due to duplication of similar Content made by others using similar Stock Images.
Licensing Limitations
Top Tip - Always Check the Licensing Requirement for Use of Stock Images. They may Restrict Commercial Use or Require Attribution.
💡 Best Practices for Using Stock Photo's
Mix them with Original Content: You Should Use Stock Images with Original Content, this will reduce your chances of duplicate posts made by others.
Customise where Possible: To Prevent Duplication, Use Text Overlays, Branding, or Filters Using Tools such as Canva or Adobe Express.
Choose UK Relevant Visuals: Avoid Overly Americanised or Unrealistic Images that don't resonate with your Local Audience.
Always Check the License: You may come across some Stock Images that have Restrictions on Commercial Use or Require Attribution. Look even closer at the Covenants, especially if you plan to boost the post or use it in Paid Advertising.
🧠 When You Should Invest in Custom Content
You're Building Brand Trust or Launching a New Product
You Want to Showcase your Team, Workspace, or Customer Experience
You're Targeting High Engagement on Platforms like Instagram and TikTok
You're Running a UK-Based Business that Values Local Identity
The Final Verdict on Stock Images
Stock Images have a Place, but they shouldn't be your Whole Strategy. UK Brands looking to Grow on Social Media need to balance ease with Authenticity. By Combining Stock Images with Real, Custom Content, You'll Stand Out and Build Trust with your Audience.
📩 Need help creating Unique, Branded Content that Converts? At Algovate Media,, we offer affordable Content Creation Packages tailored to UK Small Businesses. Get in Touch Today for a Free Social Media Audit.