Hi John

Tweeted about this earlier, The point is Google have been pressured into this by Getty. It is worrying that a commercial entities can hold so much sway over Internet services. Interestingly Instagram have Instagram blocked posts in Russia relating to corruption claims made by the country's most prominent opposition leader (source BBC).

As one of the tools in Google Image Search is the facility to search for Open, PD and CC licenced images - extra clicks to retrieve an image is not good. It is users responsibility to check copyright and I would argue Google Images is not the best place to learn about copyright.

Personally I have not used Google Images for many years, Flickr, Unsplash plus various archives museums and repositories that offer open content are my sources.... and of course Duck!