# Using image URLs

> Paste a direct image link and Genesis places it — on the selected element or as a new section.

Source: https://knowledge.estage.com/capabilities/image-urls/
Part of the ESTAGE knowledge base (https://knowledge.estage.com). Full corpus: https://knowledge.estage.com/llms-full.txt

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## How to trigger it

Paste a direct image link (ending in `.jpg`, `.png`, `.webp`, `.svg`, …) with or without
instructions:

- *"add this as the hero background: https://cdn.example.com/photo.jpg"*
- *"https://…/team.png in the about section"*

## Two behaviors

- **With an image selected** in the preview → it's an
  [instant swap](/capabilities/instant-image-swap/): the selected image is replaced in under a
  second.
- **Without a selection** → Genesis places the image where your text says (hero, a section, a
  gallery); say nothing and it makes a sensible call.

## Notes

- The URL is used **as-is** — your site will load the image from that address. If the host
  takes the file down or blocks embedding, your site shows a broken image. For anything
  permanent, upload the file instead (paperclip in chat, or
  [Open Assets](/visual-editor/text-and-images/#from-your-assets)) so it's hosted with your
  project.
- No resizing or editing happens to the file — very large originals load slowly; prefer
  reasonably-sized sources.