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Getting Started with Sourcemark

Sourcemark helps you establish a clear, timestamped record of your creative work. Whether you're a photographer, designer, illustrator, or filmmaker, sourcemarking your files gives you a verifiable chain of ownership that you control.

This guide walks you through creating your first Sourcemark record in about five minutes.

Before you begin

You'll need:

  • A free Sourcemark account at sourcemark.ai
  • A file you want to record — images, PDFs, and videos are all supported

Create your first Sourcemark record

1. Sign up and log in. Head to sourcemark.ai and create your account. You'll land on your dashboard after signing in.

2. Start the create flow.Click the “Create” button from your dashboard or the sidebar navigation.

3. Select your file.Drag and drop your file or click to browse. Once selected, Sourcemark generates a unique fingerprint of your file directly in your browser — your original file never leaves your device.

4. Set your AI training preference.Choose whether your work is not available for AI training, or available under a licence. This is one of the most important decisions you'll make for each record, and you can change it later if your thinking evolves.

5. Add licensing contact info (optional).If you made your work available by licence, you can include contact details so interested parties know how to reach you.

6. Choose your visibility.Decide who can find your record:

  • Discoverable — anyone searching Sourcemark can find it
  • Link only — only people with the direct link can view it
  • Hidden — visible only to you

7. Add details (optional).Give your record a title, description, and tags. These help you stay organized as your library grows, and they help others understand your work if you've made it discoverable.

8. Submit.Hit the submit button and your Sourcemark record is created. You'll receive a unique verification link that anyone can use to confirm your record's authenticity.

Tip

That's it — your work is now sourcemarked.

What happens next

Once your record is created, a few things are in place:

  • Timestamped proof.Your file's fingerprint is locked to a specific moment in time. If anyone questions when you created or published your work, the verification link provides independent confirmation.
  • AI training signal.Your preference about AI training is now attached to your work's identity. Tools and platforms that check Sourcemark records will see your choice.
  • A shareable verification page. The verification link you received works for anyone — no account needed. Share it with clients, collaborators, or include it in your portfolio.

If your file contains C2PA content credentials, Sourcemark detects and preserves them automatically. You don't need to do anything extra.

Build from here

Your first record is just the starting point. Here's what you can do as you sourcemark more of your work:

  • Browse your library.All your records live in “My Sourcemarks,” where you can search, filter, and switch between grid and list views.
  • Organize with collections and tags. Group related work into collections — by project, client, or however you think about your files. Tags give you another layer of quick filtering.
  • Share your records.Beyond the verification link, Sourcemark gives you embeddable badges for your website, email signature images, and QR codes for print or physical displays.
  • Update your preferences. Changed your mind about AI training availability? You can update the setting on any record at any time.
  • Keep sourcemarking.The more of your work you record, the stronger your overall chain of provenance becomes. Make it part of your creative workflow — sourcemark files as you finish them, not months later.

Need help with a specific feature? Explore our other help articles.