How to Attribute Freebase on Your Site

We're excited that you want to use Freebase content in your website or application. Now we need your help to spread the word about Freebase by adding attribution. That's what the CC-BY license is all about.

Tell us how you are using Freebase to see examples you can use or build from:

  • Specific Attribution links to the object on Freebase most related to the content being shown. This attribution is best because it provides your users with more context about how Freebase relates to your site.

    Example Topic:

  • General Attribution links to the Freebase home page. It provides your users with less context and may only be used when you don’t have a specific topic ID to reference.

Many Freebase descriptions come from the Wikipedia. Wikipedia content is licensed under the GFDL, which requires its own attribution.

Here’s what it looks like:

Need something different? Contact us.

Here’s the code:

HTML

Your code should replace “” with a topic ID variable and “” with a topic name variable.

Acre – Just add an acre.require statement like this one:

Your code should replace “” with a topic ID variable.

Under CC-BY, you are free:

  • to Share
    to copy, distribute and transmit the work
  • to Remix
    to adapt the work
  • with Attribution
    You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor

Read the entire license »

Freebase Terms and Policies

What about images?

Freebase’s CC-BY attribution often covers thumbnail images. Full-size images are also available under a variety of usage terms:

Public Domain
These images have no copyright restrictions and don’t require additional attribution.
Fair Use
These images are copyrighted, but may be used without additional attribution if the "Fair Use” doctrine of the US Copyright Act applies in the context of your website.
Specifically Licensed
These images have been released under a specific free license (e.g., CC-BY, CC-BY-SA, GFDL). Typically, this means you must attribute the original creator, link to the correct license, and link to the Freebase image page for each image.

Special Cases

Freebase can be used for all kinds of things, and you may need to adapt these attribution guidelines to your specific case. If so, you will need to contact us and receive written approval to use non-standard attribution. We are happy to help find alternate approaches in cases where the attribution notices shown on this page are not practical.