Pinterest is a social media platform where users can discover and save creative ideas, recipes, home inspiration, fashion trends, and more. Launched in 2010, the app has attracted diverse users, from grandmothers to teenagers. It quickly gained popularity through word of mouth and became one of the top smartphone apps, with over 482 million monthly users. With its success, Pinterest has become a significant player in consumerism, generating billions of dollars in ad revenue.
The app Pinterest has changed how people discover and purchase products. Kristina Mayer, a junior, mentions how it has provided her with a “visual aid for products” such as “clothing and accessories.” This feature enables people to “save ideas and use them as jumping points,” added Kristina. Senior Emelee Newball said she tries to “find similar pieces online or thrifting” and how the app allows her to take “inspiration from pins.” This allows them and 482 million other users to use Pinterest to impact consumption and generate over 2.8 billion dollars in ad revenue. According to ads.pinterest.com, 89% of its users take inspiration from pins for their purchases, and 83% of weekly users make purchases based on pins.
Pinterest is notorious for influencing and spreading new/reborn fashion trends such as dark academia, Y2K, and grunge clothing. The accessibility of each piece of clothing has “made online shopping more enticing,” Junior Kayla Ambroise mentions. Emelee adds to this by discussing how the app “feeds into current trends and the constant need to buy things that are in season.” The oversaturation of products in the app, paired with limitless scrolling, makes people feel pressured not to miss out if they don’t hop on the latest trends. Sophomore Sophia Powell noticed this, adding that the app “mirrors current culture” and that without proper discipline, people will splurge on anything appealing to current aesthetics.
The app’s unique ability to cater to different niches while keeping up with the latest trends sets it apart from other apps. Kristina adds that “it is an app specifically made for shopping.” People can find various products without pressure from likes or comments. They can explore ideas curated for them, allowing them to discover themselves further compared to apps like Instagram that don’t create a personal experience. Apps like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok don’t allow users to create boards tailored to their interests. Pinterest offers a safe, enjoyable platform for users to share and save ideas. The platform curates ideas into a feed, allowing for endless scrolling without the distraction of comments and likes.
The app’s features make it enjoyable for consumers like Emelee, who uses it to “find quick inspiration for fashion and art” in a “aesthetically pleasing” way. Users like Sophia appreciate the app’s versatility and organization, which allows them to sort each idea into boards. It’s not as social as other apps, giving people a haven to wind down from a long day and experience the things they like without the presence and pressure of other people.
Pinterest has transformed how people consume content by allowing them to explore different niches and curate ideas based on their interests. The app provides a personalized experience with boards created by each user. Unlike other social media platforms, Pinterest doesn’t pressure individuals to consume content based on views or likes. Instead, users are encouraged to explore and discover ideas that resonate with their tastes. This app significantly impacts its users and the world around them, even if it is not intentional.
