How to Give Attribution

Why should I use attribution?

When creating maps or analyzing data in CARTO, you utilize various technologies and service providers that require proper attribution. The platform handles some automatically, while others need manual implementation.

Datasets

Attribution for datasets isn’t added automatically. To add it:

1. Log into your CARTO dashboard and search for your dataset
2. Click the three dots next to the dataset title and select Edit metadata
3. Enter attribution text in the ATTRIBUTIONS field, optionally adding a license type and source URL
4. Click SAVE

This custom attribution automatically appears in Builder maps using CARTO basemaps alongside basemap attribution text.

Basemaps

CARTO basemaps include automatic attribution. Since they incorporate OpenStreetMap data, that attribution displays automatically. Attribution for Stamen, Nokia HERE, Mapbox, and NASA basemaps also appears automatically in Builder maps (visible via the question mark icon).

Attribution displays automatically when maps are exported as images.

Builder

Builder maps automatically display basemap attributions. Maps using CARTO basemaps also show dataset attribution.

CARTO.js

Attribution displays automatically for CARTO.js maps using CARTO basemaps in Leaflet or Google basemaps in Google Maps. Other attributions require manual code insertion:

L.tileLayer('https://{s}.tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png?{foo}', {
	foo: 'bar',
	attribution: 'Map data &copy; <a href="https://www.openstreetmap.org/">OpenStreetMap</a> contributors'
}).addTo(map);

CARTO VL

CARTO VL maps automatically include CARTO basemap attribution. Custom attribution can be added to Mapbox GL map objects:

const map = new mapboxgl.Map({
	container: 'map',
	style: carto.basemaps.darkmatter,
	customAttribution: ["my custom attribution 1"]
});

Printed Maps

Maps exported as images from Builder include attributions automatically. Maps created with the carto-print Python library require manual attribution inclusion in publications.