On their dataset page, they say that only the 25,000 image collection is available commercial use, _not_ their 2 million image dataset.

This makes the claim in the title basically false, no?

https://unsplash.com/data

EDIT:

In fact, once you start going through mandatory pre-download questionnaire they limit usage even further.

As a heads up, the dataset is for research purposes. It is not to be used to bulk download the images for usage or viewing. Both unsplash.com and our API are free products designed for accessing and downloading the images.

This dataset is certainly not open source if you aren't allowed to use or even view the images.

From the Open Source Definition (OSD):

> 6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor

> The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the program in a specific field of endeavor. For example, it may not restrict the program from being used in a business, or from being used for genetic research.

https://opensource.org/docs/osd

My word, what is that page doing? Just opening it is enough to slow my laptop to a crawl (it isn’t the fastest in the world, but it can handle most web browsing just fine). Peeking at the Chrome DevTools shows it’s using over 500MB (not a typo!) of RAM.

I checked the Chrome task manager about a minute later, and it was using 1,811,020K of memory. Why?

This is a bit ridiculous.

I read a quote once, that something along the lines of open source is a switcheroo where Open Source is switched with proprietary and Free Software is switched with open source. If a project is not available for commercial use, it isn't open source under the open source definition, nor free culture under the free culture definition.

Maybe this is a stupid idea, but why can't the person uploading photos get paid per API request. I never understood how people are willing to be featured on a website for free. That would generate value for both users and unsplash. Even AI generated photos aren't totally free https://generated.photos/pricing

I think most people who think about it use Unsplash as lead generation. Like writing a blog in your area of knowledge.

What is the revenue model of unsplash? Could not find a good source after a quick google search.

I think they were acquired by Canva so maybe they couldn't themselves find one. Please don't take it wrong. I mean it in the right way. They had built a platform for hobbyists to upload pics and medium users and many other bloggers started using it. But it always was like how'd they make money. Hope they have good home at Canva

Was wondering the same thing myself, found this article from late last year: https://techcrunch.com/2019/12/10/unsplash-for-brands/

TLDR: "working with companies to create branded photos, which will then appear on desirable searches."

Aha! I came across some odd Whiteclaw (alcohol) product placement on Unsplash, and I was wondering if “influencers” were trying to make a go of it on the platform, but that didn’t seem likely — now it all makes sense.

E.g. https://unsplash.com/photos/GMLfxktwWcM or https://unsplash.com/photos/RtdjA55Su2k