You spot a quote on Pinterest and think:
“This is perfect for my brand!”You design a cute graphic, post it on Instagram…
and suddenly someone comments:
“That’s my original phrase.”
Oops.
Welcome to the gray zone of shared online content.
Let’s break down what you can reuse legally from Pinterest and Instagram — and how to
protect yourself and your brand in the process.
What Most Entrepreneurs Don’t Know
Just because something is online or viral…
doesn’t mean it’s free to use.
The majority of social media content is owned by someone — even if there’s no watermark or copyright symbol.
Reusing content without permission or proper credit can lead to:
● Public or legal complaints
● Account takedowns or suspensions
● Damage to your reputation
● Even lawsuits if the material is protected
What You Can Reuse Legally
✅ Royalty-Free or Public Domain Content
Sites like Unsplash, Pexels, or Creative Commons have free-use images with clear licenses.
✅ Your Own Original Creations
Anything you made — your own photos, phrases, designs, templates.
✅ Content You Have Permission To Use
You can DM or email a creator to ask for approval.
✅ Reposts with Full Credit and Tags
This isn’t always legally sufficient, but it’s a better ethical practice if you can’t get direct
permission.
What You Shouldn’t Do
❌ Copy viral quotes and pretend they’re yours
❌ Download Pinterest images for commercial use
❌ Use protected music or reels without a license
❌ Share someone else’s post without tagging or asking
❌ Replicate exact designs from carousels, guides, or newsletters
Smart Alternatives to Avoid Legal Drama
● Rewrite the idea using your own words and experience
● Use a quote and tag the original author
● Transform content into a new format (ex: post → audio or story)
● Use templates with neutral phrases you can legally personalize
● Keep a private inspiration board — not a copy-paste board
✅ Legal Content Reuse Checklist
✅ Do I have permission or is the source clearly credited?
✅ Do I know who the original creator is?
✅ Am I adding my own twist or unique perspective?
✅ Am I following Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok’s content rules?
✅ Am I avoiding using this content to sell, unless I have legal rights?
Reposting viral content can grow your business—or get it shut down.
Don’t assume what’s online is fair game. Without the right legal language, your content strategy could land you in trouble.
Download our FREE Website Terms of Use Template to protect what you share, clarify
what’s yours, and avoid costly mistakes with reused content.
Get it here before your “inspo post” turns into a legal headache.
