Indexing images? did something just happen?

[bakergraphix_yahoo.com]

did google stop indexing images? we had 563 in sept and now we have 1?

[EGOL]

Here are a few facts about image search....

Images can go in and out of the image search collection - especially if they are new to image search.  New images can go in and out for a few months before they stabilize.

If your newly uploaded image is already in the image search index (but hosted on another domain), google might index it and then drop it once they realize that your image is a copy - even if your copy is a different size, or slightly different in some way.  Precedence has a slight advantage.

Your image that has been on your website and in image search for a long time - even as long as a decade - can fall out of image search if the same or very similar image is uploaded to another domain.  Precedence does not guarantee persistence.

If you are the copyright holder for an image and it is on another domain in image search, you can file DMCA against that other domain using the Copyright Removal form in your search console.  To do that, log into the google account for your search console and go here.  BUT, BE CAREFUL.... if your copyrighted image is on another domain, the provisions of fair use can apply, so before you file DMCA, have a good knowledge of the fair use provision (U.S. copyright law) before you start filing take downs.  The owner of the domain that you file against can sue you in certain instances.  I strongly suggest getting that education first, and if you have questions about specific items, check with a copyright attorney before filing.

If you are grabbing and republishing images from other websites or other sources and do not own the copyright for them you might get slapped with a DMCA.  Many owners of copyrighted images (they don't have to be marked "copyright") will file DMCA against you and some of they will sue you.  The owner might also complain to Adsense and get your account turned off if you are a habitual infringer.

Lots of copyright holders watch their images like hawks.  Some use automated methods or services that monitor their images.  A few of them make big bucks by suing infringers.

Google usually responds quickly when DMCA is filed, sometimes within a few hours, and almost always within a few days.  They will sometimes warn you about fair use issues, but they might not.  Google might also tell you to contact the infringing webmaster in some instances - especially if the image is on a really prominent site.  Or, they might tell you to file with the host where the image is visible - they often do this with wordpress, typepad, pinterest and other domains protected by Safe Harbor provisions.

I am not an attorney and do not give legal advice.  I have been advised by three different copyright attorneys.  I find that they usually don't cost as much as you fear and they can be worth a lot more than you pay them.  This is how good professional service providers should be.