For decades, watermarks have been the go-to method for protecting images online. But in today’s digital landscape, watermarks alone are dangerously insufficient. Here’s why – and what actually works.

The Problem with Watermarks

1. They’re Easy to Remove

Modern AI tools can remove watermarks in seconds. Adobe’s Content-Aware Fill, Photoshop’s Clone Stamp, and countless free apps make watermark removal trivial for anyone motivated to steal your work.

2. They Can Be Cropped

Corner watermarks? Easily cropped out. Even diagonal watermarks across the image can be worked around by using only portions of your photo.

3. They Damage Your Work

Visible watermarks detract from the visual impact of your images. Potential clients can’t fully appreciate your work, and your portfolio looks less professional.

4. They Don’t Find Theft

This is the biggest flaw: watermarks are purely defensive. They don’t alert you when someone steals your image. You’ll never know about the theft, let alone be able to pursue compensation.

What Actually Works in 2025

Active Monitoring

Instead of hoping watermarks deter theft, monitor where your images appear:

• AI-powered scanning searches the entire web
• Modified image detection finds cropped/filtered versions
• 24/7 monitoring catches new theft immediately

Professional Enforcement

When theft is discovered, professional legal enforcement:

• Sends demand letters that get taken seriously
• Pursues compensation across international borders
• Takes legal action when necessary

The Modern Approach: Copyident

Copyident represents the new generation of image protection:

• Upload once, monitor forever – no manual searching
• AI finds even modified images – better than any watermark
• No upfront costs – they only earn if you do
• Legal network in 120+ countries – global enforcement
• You keep 55% of recovered compensation

Still Want Watermarks?

Watermarks aren’t useless – they deter casual theft and establish ownership. But they should be one layer of protection, not your only defense.

The smart approach:

1. Light watermarks to deter casual copying
2. Active monitoring to find what gets through
3. Professional enforcement to recover compensation

Easy WordPress Integration

The free Jokerist Stolen Photo Tracker plugin connects your WordPress site to Copyident in one click. Upload your images and let modern AI protection do its job.