Perplexity, the fast-growing AI search company, has signed a multi-year licensing deal with Getty Images. This partnership allows Perplexity to display licensed images from Getty across its search and discovery tools.
It is a big step for Perplexity, which has faced criticism over using online content without proper permission. The deal shows that the company is now focusing on building legal and fair partnerships with content creators.
What the Deal Means
With this agreement, Perplexity can now use Getty’s vast library of photos directly inside its AI-powered search results. Instead of showing random images from the web, Perplexity’s search engine will display verified photos from Getty’s collection. Each photo will include credit and a link to the original source. This helps users know where an image came from and ensures creators are properly recognized.
The partnership is built on Getty’s API system, which lets Perplexity pull photos safely and legally. This also improves the visual experience for people who use Perplexity, making search results more accurate and engaging.
A Big Shift for Perplexity
This deal comes at a time when AI companies are being closely watched for how they use copyrighted material. Over the past year, Perplexity has been accused of using news articles and images without proper credit. Some publishers even accused the startup of plagiarism. The deal with Getty helps Perplexity move past those issues and show that it is serious about doing things the right way.
Earlier this year, several major publishers criticized Perplexity for reusing their content without permission. In one case, it was called out for using a Getty image from a Wall Street Journal story. With this new deal, such incidents are less likely to happen again. Getty’s Vice President of Strategic Development, Nick Unsworth, said the agreement values “properly attributed content” and shows how important transparency is in the age of AI.
Why It Matters
This partnership is more than just a business deal. It shows how AI companies are starting to respect the work of creators. Many AI tools rely on information and images from across the internet to function. However, creators often do not get credit or payment for their work. By working directly with Getty, Perplexity is setting an example that others might follow.
Jessica Chan, who leads content partnerships at Perplexity, said the company wants to help people discover answers through visual storytelling while ensuring creators get recognition. She added that attribution and accuracy are key to helping people understand the world in an age where AI often blurs the line between original and copied content.
A New Standard for AI and Copyright
AI technology is moving fast, but the law around copyright and content usage is still catching up. Getty itself has sued AI companies like Stability AI in the past for scraping images from its library without permission. The Perplexity deal shows that licensing could be a safer and more sustainable path for AI firms.
Experts believe more companies will start to follow this route. AI tools that use copyrighted materials for training or display can face legal challenges if they do not have permission. By signing licensing deals, they can avoid lawsuits and build trust with creators and users alike.
This agreement also highlights how AI and creative industries can work together. Getty provides the visuals, while Perplexity provides the technology that helps people discover those visuals in meaningful ways. The result is a win for both users and creators.
The Bigger Picture
Perplexity has been growing rapidly as a search alternative to Google. Its focus on conversational and visual search makes it stand out. Now, with access to Getty’s image library, it can make search results more engaging and informative. This is important as users increasingly expect search tools to be smarter, more visual, and more accurate.
At the same time, this move shows that AI companies are starting to realize that collaboration, not conflict, is the way forward. Instead of relying on scraping data, partnerships like this help them build products that respect ownership and creativity.
For Getty, this deal also shows its ongoing push to adapt to the world of AI. The company has already been exploring ways to license its content for AI training and integration safely. Partnering with Perplexity strengthens its position as a major player in the AI and media ecosystem.
What Comes Next
The Perplexity and Getty deal could inspire similar partnerships across the industry. As more AI tools appear, there will be a stronger need for reliable, legally sourced content. This kind of agreement can help balance innovation with fairness.
Perplexity’s focus on attribution and credit could also help change public opinion about AI. Many people are worried that AI systems copy or replace human work. By showing respect for creators, Perplexity might gain more trust from users, media companies, and regulators.
In a time when AI faces growing criticism for using content without permission, Perplexity’s decision to sign a transparent and legal deal sends a strong message. It shows that AI progress and ethical content use can go hand in hand.
The Bottom Line
Perplexity’s multi-year licensing agreement with Getty Images is an important milestone. It is not just a technical upgrade, but a sign that AI companies can build partnerships that respect human creativity. As more companies follow this path, we might see an internet where AI and creators work together rather than against each other.
With Getty’s trusted visuals and Perplexity’s advanced search tools, users will now enjoy a richer and more responsible way to discover information online. This partnership could very well become the model for how AI companies handle content in the years ahead.
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