Do you want to learn how to disable right click on images in WordPress?
As a blogger or website owner, you may have put a lot of time and effort into creating stunning visual content for your website.
However, you may have noticed that others copy your images WITHOUT your permission.
This can be frustrating (it sucks!), especially if you have also invested money into producing high-quality images.
This post covers:
- When to disable right click in WordPress
- How to disable right click on images in WordPress
- Pros & cons of disabling right-clicking on Images
- Conclusion: Is disabling right clicking on images necessary?
- FAQs about disabling right-clicking on WordPress
Fortunately, a way to protect your images is by disabling right-clicking on your website.
In this article, I will explain what right-clicking is, if it affects your images, and how to actually disable right-clicking in WordPress (the link will take you to my more general tutorial about disabling right click).
I will also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of disabling right-click and answer frequently asked questions about this feature.
When To Disable Right Click In WordPress
Right-clicking on an image allows users to access a menu that lets them download, copy, or save the image.
While this may seem harmless, it can lead to copyright infringement and theft of your images.
Disabling right-clicking on your images can PREVENT users from accessing this menu and protect your images from being copied or downloaded without your permission.
This can be a significant problem for photographers, designers, and artists who want to protect their work.
Does Disabling Right Click Affect SEO?
One of the concerns that some website owners have when disabling right-click is that it may affect their SEO.
However, no evidence suggests that disabling right-click negatively impacts your SEO. In fact, it may even have a positive impact by preventing others from stealing your content and images and using them on their websites, which can affect your rankings.
And even the search analyst John Mueller stated on Twitter that disabling right-click does not affect your position in the SERP.
But, preventing right click on your website can negatively impact your blog or website’s user experience.
How To Disable Right Click On Images In WordPress
Fortunately, disabling right-clicking on your images in WordPress is easy. There are several methods available that can help you achieve this.
Turn Off Right Click On Images With A Plugin
Several plugins available for WordPress can help you disable right-clicking on your images.
Here are some of the most popular options:
1. WP Content Copy Protection & No Right Click
WP Content Copy Protection & No Right Click is a free plugin that helps protect your website content by disabling right-click and text selection.
The plugin also offers other security features, such as image watermarking and disabling keyboard shortcuts.
2. No Right Click Images Plugin
This plugin disables right-clicking on your images and can also display a custom message when users try to right-click on your images.
It also includes a feature that prevents users from dragging and dropping your images.
3. Image Watermark
Image Watermark adds a watermark to your images, making it harder for others to use them without your permission. It also includes a feature that disables right-clicking on your images.
If you’ll use a plugin, check my guide on how to install a WordPress plugin easily.
Bonus: Other Ways To Protect Your Images
There are some other methods that you can use instead of plugins or along with them.
Disable right-click with CSS
If you prefer not to use a plugin, you can also disable right-clicking using CSS code. Here is a step-by-step guide to doing this:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard and click on Appearance -> Customize
- Click on Additional CSS
- Paste the following code:
css img { -webkit-touch-callout: none; -webkit-user-select: none; -khtml-user-select: none; -moz-user-select: none; -ms-user-select: none; user-select: none; pointer-events: none; }
This code will disable right-clicking on all images on your website. However, it will not prevent users from downloading your images using other methods.
Watermark & copyright notice
While disabling right-click can be an effective way to protect your images, you can use some alternative methods.
One of these methods is to add a watermark to your images.
This can make it more difficult for others to use your images without permission. Or at least people will KNOW it’s your image, even though it’s used on someone else’s website.
You can also add a copyright notice to your images, which can deter others from using them without permission.
But that is only theoretical. Anyone can still download and use the image for any purpose, which, sadly, happens often.
Creative commons license & Copysentry
If you want to allow users to use your images for non-commercial purposes, you can consider licensing your photos under a Creative Commons license.
This license allows you to retain copyright while allowing others to use your images under certain conditions, such as giving you credit or not using them commercially.
Copysentry is a service that can help you monitor the use of your images online.
It uses ADVANCED technology to scan the internet for unauthorized use of your images and alerts you when it finds a match.
This can help you take action to protect your copyright and intellectual property.
If the solution above is too expensive for you, I just found a great free tool called TinEye that finds where images appear online.
The drawback is that you need to upload each image individually, but it’s completely free to use.
Pros & Cons Of Disabling Right-Clicking On Images
Benefits Of Disabling Right-Clicking On Your Images
There are several benefits to disabling right-clicking on your images.
First and foremost, it can help protect your images from being copied or downloaded without your permission.
This can be ESPECIALLY important if you are a photographer, artist, or designer who relies on your images for income.
Disabling right-click can also give you more control over your images’ use. For example, you may want to allow users to view your pictures on your website but not allow them to download or save them.
The Drawbacks Of Disabling Right-Clicking On Your Images
While there are many benefits to disabling right-clicking on your images, there are also some drawbacks.
It can make your website less user-friendly.
Your visitors may become frustrated if they cannot access the context menu when needed.
Disabling right-click can also be EASILY bypassed by users determined to copy or download your images.
For instance, they can screenshot your image or use a browser extension to avoid the disabling feature.
Conclusion: Is Disabling Right Click On Images Necessary?
Disabling right-clicking on your images can effectively protect your work from being copied or downloaded without your permission.
While some drawbacks exist, the benefits of disabling right-click may outweigh them.
Whether you choose to use a plugin or CSS code, taking steps to protect your images is integral to maintaining control over your content.
But do I recommend it? No.
I suggest you upload lower-quality content to your blog or website and offer the highest quality on request or as a paid option.
Don’t forget to check how to optimize images for WordPress to ensure they don’t slow down your site.
FAQs About Disabling Right-Clicking On WordPress
Will disabling right-click affect my website’s accessibility?
Disabling right-click can make it more difficult for users with certain disabilities to access your website. However, there are alternative ways for users to access the context menu, such as using the keyboard or touch screen.
Can users still download or copy my images if I disable right-click?
While disabling right-click can make it more difficult for users to download or copy your images, it’s not foolproof. Users can still take a screenshot or use browser add-ons to download or copy your images.
Will disabling right-click affect my website’s SEO?
Disabling right-click does not directly affect SEO. However, it’s important to include descriptive alt tags for your images to ensure that search engines can understand what your images are about.
How can I disable right-click on images in WordPress?
You can disable right-click on images by using a plugin such as “WP Content Copy Protection & No Right Click” or by adding custom JavaScript to your theme’s footer.php file. Both methods prevent users from right-clicking on images to save or copy them.
How do I ensure the right-click disable feature is mobile-friendly?
Most plugins that disable right-click on images are designed to be mobile-friendly and will also prevent touch-and-hold actions on smartphones and tablets. Ensure the plugin you choose explicitly states it’s mobile-compatible to avoid affecting your site’s usability on mobile devices.
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Note: This article was originally published on May 5, 2023. But our team regularly reviews it and updates it with necessary improvements for accuracy.
