Ebooks and use of Google screenshots

Jodie, don't take this as legal advice, especially since we're in different countries. What I offer here is based on common sense (I hope).

> Since any screen grabs you use would constitute a very small percentage of the 'product', and

> You are not using them to pass yourself off as Google or WordPress, but simply offering instruction

I would call those screen grabs "Fair Use". Just add a blurb acknowledging Google's and Wordpress's ownership of any trademarks/service marks.

I would put your ebook in the same category as the myriad instructional videos found on YouTube and other video sharing sites.

Thanks John. My ebook is really geared towards friends and family as a number of them are truly stumped by the simplest parts of internet/affiliate marketing. I wanted to bind everything up for them in one simple ebook so they don't keep asking me how to create websites and how to make money from them.

One of the best-selling e-books dealing with Adwords showed plenty of screenshots, however, the author made sure he blurred out certain numbers and certain names. He was certified by Google as a PPC expert and he asked Google ahead of time before he created his ebook.

There should be a contact number as well as a form in your own PPC Adwords account that you can use to reach them.

There are certain things you cannot show and for the life of me I cannot remember what they were.

RoD

Hi

Since these would be a small part of the package, are for educational purposes and are not trying to confuse anyone, the images are probably okay from a copyright standpoint under "fair use". (see JohnMcCabe)

But there are many things that Google doesn't allow to be displayed according to their ToS. For example, you are not allowed to disclose AdSense earnings or PPC values.

So if any of that type if information is in an image, it needs to be blurred out.

You should also be aware of what else is visible and might need to be blurred: email addreses, URLs, Other open browser tabs, etc.

The point about getting out-of-date is also a good one. Not just that the process and screens you display may be inaccurate, but it is a quick sign that your ebook or products is "old" and of low perceived value.

Whereas a description could be more accurate longer.

An image showing where to click with a descripton that says "Click 'Options' on the upper-right" could go out of date if the screen changes and/or the link moves from its 'upper-right' location.

But "Login and Choose 'Options'" will remain accurate even if they change the interface.

There is no need to screenshot every action if it is easy and obvious to explain.

But they can be helpful for hard to navigate interfaces.

Mahlon

Look closely at your keyboard, you will see a button called Print Screen.
Press it and it will save your screen to your clipboard.
Now open paint and hit Ctrl+V.

Congratulation, you have made your first screen capture.

Thanks everyone. Yes, good point about the changing interfaces of these products over time. The challenge really is to make the instructions clear without the reader losing interest through masses of text.