In-depth review: Petty Images
Petty Images occupies a curious niche in the AI photography landscape: it is a single-purpose, low-cost tool that attempts to deter AI training data scraping by renaming image files to mimic Getty Images stock photo identifiers. For $2, users can upload up to 100 images and receive them back with filenames like "gettyimages-156387912394.png." The premise is that major AI companies—OpenAI, Microsoft, Google—collect training data by scraping the web, and that their algorithms may be programmed to avoid or de-prioritize images that appear to be copyrighted stock photography. By disguising personal artwork as Getty Images content, Petty Images hopes to slip under the radar of these scrapers. The tool is explicitly reactive: it does not prevent initial scraping of the original images, but rather offers a way to re-upload renamed versions in the hope that future crawls will skip them. This is a speculative defense, and the service makes no claims about its effectiveness. There is no evidence provided that filename obfuscation actually deters modern AI training pipelines, which often rely on visual content analysis, metadata, and other signals beyond filenames. Petty Images also does not alter EXIF data, watermarks, or image content itself. The workflow is straightforward: upload images, pay $2, download the renamed set. There is no batch processing beyond the 100-image limit, no integration with hosting platforms, and no monitoring or alerts to confirm whether the renamed images are actually being ignored by scrapers. Users are left to test effectiveness themselves—perhaps by comparing scraping logs or using external tools. For independent artists and photographers who are anxious about their portfolios being used without consent, Petty Images offers a cheap, low-effort first step. It may appeal to those who want to signal that their work is not free for the taking, even if the technical protection is uncertain. However, for creators with large archives or those seeking robust, verifiable protection, this tool is best seen as a minor deterrent rather than a complete solution. It fits into a workflow where an artist has already published images and wants to re-upload them with altered filenames as a form of protest or obfuscation. The main limitations are the lack of proof, the narrow scope (filename only), and the absence of ongoing protection. A practical buyer should view Petty Images as a $2 experiment—one that may or may not influence scraping behavior, but that at least provides a psychological buffer and a talking point in the broader debate about AI training ethics.
Who it's built for
Artists
Why it fits
Artists creating original visual works face real anxiety about their art being scraped for AI training. Petty Images offers a low-cost, low-effort way to signal that images are not free for the taking, aligning with the artist's need for control.
Best value
The $2 package provides a quick, symbolic deterrent for up to 100 images, making it easy to reprocess a portfolio before sharing online.
Caution
The protection is unproven and only affects filenames, not visual content or metadata. Artists should not rely on this as a sole defense.
Photographers
Why it fits
Photographers who upload portfolios to personal websites or social media worry about their images being used without consent. Petty Images provides a simple, repeatable process to rename files before posting.
Best value
Batch processing up to 100 images for $2 is ideal for photographers who want to protect a series or collection quickly.
Caution
The tool does not alter EXIF data or watermarks, and its effectiveness depends on algorithms being confused by filenames—a speculative assumption.
Digital creators
Why it fits
Illustrators, designers, and other digital creators often need to share multiple images online. Petty Images offers a straightforward upload-convert-download workflow that requires no technical skill.
Best value
The simplicity and low cost make it easy to incorporate into a regular workflow, especially for creators who want a quick fix.
Caution
The tool does not provide ongoing monitoring or alerts, so creators must verify effectiveness themselves. It may not deter sophisticated scraping methods.
Privacy-conscious individuals
Why it fits
Anyone who wants to add an extra layer of obfuscation to their image uploads can use Petty Images as a low-cost, low-effort measure.
Best value
For $2, users can rename up to 100 images to mimic Getty Images, potentially confusing some data collection algorithms.
Caution
The actual protection is uncertain and limited to filename changes. Users should combine this with other privacy practices for stronger defense.
Key features
Filename Conversion to Getty-Style Identifiers
The core feature renames uploaded image files to resemble Getty Images filenames, e.g., 'gettyimages-156387912394.png'.
Benefit
Aims to confuse data collection algorithms used by major AI companies, potentially deterring them from training on the images.
Limitation
Effectiveness is unproven; relies on algorithms being fooled by filenames. Does not prevent scraping based on visual similarity or metadata.
Batch Processing for Up to 100 Images
The $2 package allows users to process up to 100 images in a single batch.
Benefit
Provides a cost-effective way to protect a typical portfolio or collection without per-image fees.
Limitation
The 100-image cap may be insufficient for larger archives, requiring multiple purchases. No bulk discount for higher volumes.
No Additional Metadata Alteration
The tool only changes the filename; it does not modify EXIF data, watermarks, or image content.
Benefit
Keeps the process simple and fast, preserving original image quality and metadata for users who need it.
Limitation
Does not address other data points that scrapers might use, such as image hashes or embedded metadata, limiting overall protection.
Simple Upload-Convert-Download Workflow
Users upload images, the service converts filenames, and users download the renamed files. No complex steps or technical knowledge required.
Benefit
Accessible to non-technical users; can be completed in minutes with minimal friction.
Limitation
Users must manually re-upload the renamed images to their desired platforms; no direct integration with websites or social media.
No Ongoing Monitoring or Alerts
The service does not track whether renamed images are actually scraped or provide alerts about unauthorized use.
Benefit
Keeps the tool simple and low-cost, avoiding ongoing subscription fees.
Limitation
Users have no way to verify if the protection is working; effectiveness remains speculative without external verification.
Real-world use cases
Protecting a Personal Art Portfolio
ArtistsScenario
An artist has a website displaying their original paintings and digital art. They are concerned that AI companies may scrape these images for training datasets.
Solution
The artist uses Petty Images to rename all portfolio images to Getty-style filenames before uploading them to the website.
Outcome
Provides a low-cost, quick deterrent that may confuse some automated scrapers, giving the artist a sense of control.
Preparing Images for Public Sharing
PhotographersScenario
A photographer is about to share a new series on social media and wants to preemptively protect the images from being used in AI training.
Solution
Before posting, the photographer runs the images through Petty Images to rename them, then uploads the renamed versions.
Outcome
Adds a layer of obfuscation with minimal effort and cost, potentially reducing the likelihood of scraping.
Batch Protection for a Collection
Digital creatorsScenario
A digital creator has a large archive of illustrations and wants to protect them all at once before sharing a portfolio online.
Solution
The creator uses the $2 package to process up to 100 images in one batch, downloading the renamed files for upload.
Outcome
Efficiently protects a significant portion of the archive in a single session, saving time and money.
Testing the Effectiveness of Filename Obfuscation
Privacy-conscious individualsScenario
A tech-savvy artist wants to experimentally determine if filename changes impact scraping behavior by AI companies.
Solution
The artist uses Petty Images on a set of images and monitors web traffic or uses honeypot techniques to detect scraping attempts.
Outcome
Provides a simple way to generate renamed files for controlled experiments, contributing to community knowledge about scraping deterrents.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Potentially deters AI companies from using images for training without consent.
- Simple and easy-to-use service.
- Affordable pricing.
Cons
- Effectiveness is not guaranteed.
- Relies on confusing algorithms, which may evolve.
- Only renames files; does not alter image content.
Pricing
Parsed from stored tiers (HTML or plain text). If a line is missing, check the notes below — confirm on the vendor site before purchasing.
Package
$2
$2 Up to 100 images
Frequently asked questions
How does Petty Images actually protect my images from AI training?Workflow
Petty Images renames your image files to mimic Getty Images filenames (e.g., 'gettyimages-156387912394.png'). The idea is that data collection algorithms used by companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google may be programmed to skip or de-prioritize images that appear to be from stock photo agencies. However, this is a speculative deterrent; there is no published evidence that it works, and it does not prevent scraping based on image content or other metadata.
Is there any evidence that renaming files to mimic Getty Images works?Limitations
No. Petty Images itself states that the effectiveness is unproven, and the approach relies on the assumption that algorithms are confused by filenames. There are no independent studies or user reports confirming that renamed images are less likely to be scraped. Users should consider this an experimental, low-cost measure rather than a guaranteed solution.
Can I use Petty Images for images I've already uploaded online?Workflow
Yes, but you would need to download the original images, run them through Petty Images to rename them, and then re-upload the renamed versions to replace the old ones. This process does not remove the original files from the internet; it only changes the filenames going forward. The original files with original names may still exist elsewhere.
What happens after I download the renamed images? Do I need to re-upload them?Workflow
Yes. Petty Images only provides you with renamed image files. It does not automatically upload them anywhere. You must manually upload the renamed images to your website, social media, or other platforms to replace the original files. The protection only applies to the renamed versions you upload.
Does Petty Images alter the image content or metadata?Limitations
No. Petty Images only changes the filename. It does not modify the image pixels, EXIF data, or any other metadata. This means that scrapers using visual recognition or metadata analysis may still be able to identify and use your images regardless of the filename change.
Is the $2 package a one-time fee or subscription?Pricing
The $2 package is a one-time fee for processing up to 100 images. Petty Images does not appear to offer subscriptions or recurring billing. Each batch of up to 100 images requires a separate $2 payment.
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