Image submission is an off-page SEO technique that helps you improve search visibility, drive referral traffic and build brand awareness. By sharing high-quality, optimised images — infographics, product photos, logos and blog visuals — on popular image platforms, you reach audiences who discover content visually.
Types of image submission sites
- Free image sharing sites – upload and share images at no cost (Pinterest, Flickr, Imgur).
- Portfolio sites – showcase creative work (Behance, Dribbble, 500px, DeviantArt).
- Stock photo sites – contribute free photos with credit (Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay).
- Image hosting sites – quick uploads with shareable links, often without registration (ImgBB, Postimages).
- Niche sites – platforms for specific industries such as fashion, travel, food or photography.
Benefits of image submission
- Visibility in visual search – images can appear in Google Images, Pinterest search and Google Lens.
- Referral traffic – a popular pin or infographic keeps sending visitors for months.
- Backlinks and mentions – many platforms let you add a link to the source page.
- Brand recognition – consistent, branded visuals make your business memorable.
- Engagement – likes, saves and shares extend your reach for free.
How to submit images the right way
- Use high-quality, original images — or infographics that summarise your best content.
- Rename the file with descriptive keywords, for example
digital-marketing-checklist.jpg. - Compress the image (WebP or optimised JPG) so it loads quickly.
- Write a descriptive title, a helpful description and alt text where the site allows it.
- Choose the right category or board and add relevant tags.
- Add a link back to the original page on your website where permitted.
- Add a small, unobtrusive logo or URL watermark to protect your brand.
Best image submission sites
| Platform | Type | Website link |
|---|---|---|
| Visual discovery | Yes — every pin can link to a page | |
| Flickr | Photo sharing | In profile and descriptions |
| Social | Profile link only (captions are not clickable) | |
| Imgur | Image hosting / community | In descriptions |
| DeviantArt | Art community | In profile and descriptions |
| 500px | Photography | In profile |
| Behance | Creative portfolio | In profile and projects |
| Dribbble | Design portfolio | In profile |
| Tumblr | Microblog | Yes, in posts |
Image submission sites with instant approval
Pinterest, Instagram, Flickr, Imgur, ImgBB and Postimages publish your upload immediately, so your images are live within seconds.
Free image submission sites list 2025
- Flickr
- Imgur
- DeviantArt
- 500px
- Behance
- Dribbble
- Tumblr
- Unsplash (contributor)
- Pexels (contributor)
- Pixabay
- ImgBB
- Postimages
- FreeImageHosting.net
- ImageShack
- SmugMug
- Pearltrees
- Scoop.it
- Visual.ly
Frequently asked questions
What is an image submission site?
It is a platform where you upload and share images — often with a description and a link back to your website.
Is image submission free?
Yes, most image sharing sites are free. Some offer premium plans with more storage, analytics or visibility.
How do image submission sites help SEO?
They increase visibility in visual search, bring referral traffic and brand mentions, and some provide backlinks to your pages.
Can I submit the same image to multiple sites?
Yes, but write a unique title and description for each site and link back to the most relevant page.
Which image submission sites approve uploads instantly?
Pinterest, Instagram, Flickr, Imgur, ImgBB and Postimages publish uploads immediately.
Related off-page SEO guides
- Free profile creation sites
- Free classified sites in India
- Free video submission sites
- High DA free social bookmarking site list
- Top free article submission sites
- Search engine submission sites list
- Free directory submission sites
