Why Stock Photos Could Be Tanking Your Brand in 2025 (And What to Use Instead)

How Google’s 2025 image updates are changing the rules of brand visuals.

You’ve seen them before—the guy in a blindingly white shirt, shaking hands in an empty office that looks like it hasn’t seen actual work since 1997. Or the woman laughing alone with a salad bowl the size of her head. With Google updates shaking up image ranking signals, using stock photos may now do more harm than good—hurting both SEO and brand trust.

Grab this image template here.

They’ve been on your site, your competitor’s site, and probably about 4,000 spammy blogs pushing detox teas and “miracle” fixes for high blood pressure.

But here’s the thing—what used to just be awkward or cliché is now a real problem for your brand. Because in 2025, Google doesn’t just see those stock photos. It recognizes them. And it’s not impressed. ☹️

The Google Shift (Why This Matters Now)

Let’s get real for a second. Google updates in 2025 basically changed the rules of the image game. With tools like AI-powered photo editing and C2PA receipts, Google’s crawlers can tell whether your visuals are original or just another stock JPEG recycled for the ten-thousandth time.

Here’s what that means for your brand:

• Originality now equals visibility. Just like Google punishes duplicate blog content, it also recognizes when the same photo is used a thousand times across the internet—and it tunes it out.

• Credibility is earned. Audiences (and algorithms) trust images that can prove they’re authentic or edited with intention. Generic stock? It’s basically background noise.

• Visuals are search fuel. From Google Lens to AI summaries, your photos aren’t just decorations—they’re how people find you. Stock images make you invisible when you most need to stand out.

In short? Using stock in 2025 is like wearing camouflage when you’re trying to wave a flag.

Whichever stock photography flag you’re waving, at least make it a unique one.

The Stock Photo Problem

Here’s the thing about stock: it feels safe. Need a quick image for a blog header? Bam—man with briefcase. Want to jazz up a landing page? Boom—woman holding coffee, staring at a laptop.

Stock isn’t just safe — it’s invisible.

But safe doesn’t stand out. And in a world where consumers scroll past 4,000 to 10,000 ads a day, blending in is the fastest way to get overlooked.

Stock photos aren’t just unoriginal; they actively chip away at trust. And now, thanks to the latest Google updates, they may even be working against your SEO. People see the same faces, the same poses, the same overly perfect lighting, and it screams “generic.” And when something feels generic, we automatically question whether the brand behind it is, too.

So if stock is out… what’s in?

Enter: Real, Customizable Imagery

Now, before you panic, I’m not saying you need to hire a photographer for every single social post or blog header. That’s unrealistic (and budget-breaking).

What you can do is start with images designed to look and feel custom—ones you can tweak, edit, and brand as your own.

Take my Tech Collection, for example. These photo-based Canva templates are clean, modern, and flexible enough to fit into your brand’s vibe. Want to swap the background? Done. Add your colors or logo? Easy. Add text overlays so it doubles as a Pinterest pin or Instagram graphic? You betcha.

In minutes, you’ve got a piece of content that feels like you—not like the 12 other businesses your audience saw today using the same stock image of a woman typing on a silver MacBook.

The best part? They’re designed with small businesses in mind. You don’t need Photoshop skills or a design degree. It’s literally plug-and-play authenticity.

👆Use templates like this one to customize your imagery for your blog, social media posts, or email marketing.

Why Custom Matters for Brand Trust

Think about it: when’s the last time you stopped scrolling because of a stock image? Probably never.

But when you come across an image that feels fresh—something styled with details you haven’t seen a million times, or better yet, something that actually sounds like a brand’s personality in photo form—you pause. You notice. You trust.

That’s what good visuals do. They’re not just pretty fillers; they’re credibility signals. They’re proof you’re not a carbon copy of the next brand in line.

When your visuals match your voice, your audience believes you.

And trust me, your audience can sniff out when something feels off. (Raise your hand if you’ve ever side-eyed a “customer testimonial” photo that’s clearly a stock headshot. 🙋‍♀️)

The same goes for your marketing visuals. When you use imagery that feels authentic and tailored, people are more likely to believe the story you’re telling—and more likely to engage, click, and buy.

The Big Picture: Standing Out in a World of AI

We’re entering a time where AI can churn out hundreds of “perfect” looking visuals in minutes. That might sound intimidating, but here’s the silver lining: perfection is boring.

What’s going to matter even more is believability. The brands that win will be the ones that embrace imagery that feels authentic, lived-in, and unique—even if it’s not flawless.

That’s exactly why I built Shamblen Studios the way I did. Every photo-based Canva template in my shop is designed to give you a leg up—a way to create content that feels real, without spending hours or hiring a full creative team.

Because let’s face it: you’ve got a business to run. You don’t have time to stage a photoshoot every week just to keep your Instagram feed looking fresh.

“crappy stock photos drive me nuts” “don’t be nuts: avoid ‘woman laughing at salad’ stock photo” “the algorithm thinks you’re nuts for using crappy stock photos”

Authentic > Stock, Every Time

At the end of the day, your visuals are often your first chance to grab someone’s attention. Stock photos don’t just make you blend in—they make you invisible.

Authenticity has officially become part of the algorithm.

If you’re tired of feeling like your brand looks like everyone else’s, I’ve got you. My membership gives you unlimited access to customizable, photo-based Canva templates so you can create content that feels unique, professional, and scroll-stopping—without the overwhelm.

It’s basically your shortcut to authentic imagery in a world full of fakes.

Check out the membership here →

Now I want to hear from you:

👉 Have you ever used a stock photo and then spotted it on another business’s site (or worse—your competitor’s)? How did it make you feel?

Drop your answer in the comments—I’d love to commiserate with you!