diff --git a/includes/functions/_helpers-templates.php b/includes/functions/_helpers-templates.php
index 4c330aef..96e1c0e2 100644
--- a/includes/functions/_helpers-templates.php
+++ b/includes/functions/_helpers-templates.php
@@ -741,12 +741,13 @@ if ( ! function_exists( 'fictioneer_get_placeholder_image' ) ) {
 
     // Fallback
     if ( empty( $image_large ) || empty( $image_full ) ) {
-      $svg = fictioneer_get_svg_rect( '#111', 400, 600 );
+      $generated = fictioneer_generate_placeholder( $args );
 
       $cache[ $cache_key ] = array(
-        'thumbnail' => '<img src="' . $svg . '" class="' . $image_class . '" alt="' . $image_args['alt'] . '">',
-        'thumbnail_url' => $svg,
-        'thumbnail_full_url' => $svg,
+        'thumbnail' => $generated ?
+          '<img src="' . $generated . '" class="' . $image_class . '" alt="' . $image_args['alt'] . '">' : '',
+        'thumbnail_url' => $generated,
+        'thumbnail_full_url' => $generated,
         'generated' => true
       );
 
@@ -814,7 +815,7 @@ if ( ! function_exists( 'fictioneer_output_small_card_thumbnail' ) ) {
       // Link (lightbox) with image tag
       echo "<a href='{$thumbnails['thumbnail_full_url']}' class='{$classes}' title='{$title}' {$lightbox_attribute}>{$thumbnails['thumbnail']}</a>";
     } elseif ( $vertical ) {
-      // Placeholder image or generated SVG
+      // Placeholder image
       $placeholder = fictioneer_get_placeholder_image();
       $url = $placeholder['thumbnail_full_url'];
       $classes .= ' _placeholder';
diff --git a/includes/functions/_utility.php b/includes/functions/_utility.php
index d38fca80..322599f2 100644
--- a/includes/functions/_utility.php
+++ b/includes/functions/_utility.php
@@ -2871,29 +2871,21 @@ if ( ! function_exists( 'fictioneer_get_async_css_loading_pattern' ) ) {
 }
 
 // =============================================================================
-// CSS SVG RECT
+// GENERATE PLACEHOLDER
 // =============================================================================
 
-if ( ! function_exists( 'fictioneer_get_svg_rect' ) ) {
+if ( ! function_exists( 'fictioneer_generate_placeholder' ) ) {
   /**
-   * Returns generated SVG rectangle as base64 data URI
+   * Dummy implementation (currently used a CSS background)
    *
    * @since 5.14.0
    *
-   * @param string $color   Optional. Color code of the rectangle. Default '#111'.
-   * @param int    $width   Optional. Width of the rectangle. Default 200.
-   * @param int    $height  Optional. Height of the rectangle. Default 300.
+   * @param array|null $args  Optional arguments to generate a placeholder.
    *
-   * @return string SVG as data URI.
+   * @return string The placeholder URL or data URI.
    */
 
-  function fictioneer_get_svg_rect( $color = '#111', $width = 200, $height = 300 ) {
-    // Build
-    $svg = '<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>';
-    $svg .= '<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="' . $width . '" height="' . $height . '" viewBox="0 0 ' . $width . ' ' . $height . '">';
-    $svg .= '<rect width="100%" height="100%" fill="' . htmlspecialchars( $color ) . '" /></svg>';
-
-    // Return as data URI
-    return 'data:image/svg+xml;base64,' . base64_encode( $svg );
+  function fictioneer_generate_placeholder( $args = [] ) {
+    return '';
   }
 }