SEO Image Citation Backlink Scam Explained: Avoid!
Published on August 21, 2025
Published on Wealthy Affiliate — a platform for building real online businesses with modern training and AI.
There’s a scam going around that targets website owners, especially those who care about SEO. The scammers send out emails claiming you've used a copyrighted image on your site and that you need to add a "citation" link to give proper credit.
It sounds intimidating at first, but it's not true. This is just a trick to get you to place a backlink to their website.
How the Scam Works
- You get an email accusing you of using a copyrighted image.
- They tell you to add a citation link to your site to "comply".
- Their only goal is to build backlinks and improve their own SEO, not to protect any rights.
They often try to sound official by referencing laws or throwing in copyright language, but if you had actually infringed on copyright you would receive a proper DMCA notice, not an email asking for a backlink.
Example of the Scam Email
Here's a real example of this type of scam email (personal info and URLs redacted):
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Hello,
I noticed you have used one of my images on your website [redacted URL]. The photo is actually copyrighted and requires proper attribution.
To comply with copyright requirements, please add a source link to the original image here: [redacted URL].
If you need further clarification, feel free to contact me.
Thank you for addressing this matter quickly.
Sincerely,
[Redacted Name]
At first glance it might seem legitimate, but notice what they are really asking for. They don't ask you to remove the image or provide proof of copyright. They just want you to place a backlink. That's the giveaway.
What To Do If You Get One
- Don't click on their links.
- Don't add the backlink.
- If you’re unsure, double check your images. If they’re your own or from trusted sources, you’re fine.
- Delete the email and move on.
This scam is all about exploiting website owners who are worried about SEO or copyright law. Don't fall for it. Keep using legitimate images, and never hand out backlinks just because a random email told you to.
If ever you're unsure; just reach out to the community here at WA 🙌
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