Pinterest is rolling out some new options that will give users more control over the AI-generated Pins they see in-stream, as it looks to combat the influx of AI content, which some users say has become overwhelming, and has negatively impacted their in-app experience.
As you can see in these example screens, Pinterest is adding a new “GenAI interests” element to its recommendation settings, which will enable users to indicate that they don’t want to see generative AI pins in specific categories.
So if you’re sick of seeing clearly AI images in your home décor searches, now, you’ll be able to switch them off, or at least, remove them from view when Pinterest’s system can determine that they’ve been AI-generated.
As explained by Pinterest:
“Generative AI content is rapidly transforming the internet, now making up an incredible 57% of all online material. At Pinterest, we’ve heard from our users: they want the creativity and inspiration they love, with the right balance of human and AI-generated content. That’s why we’re leading the way in giving users more control over their experience, launching new controls that allow users to decide exactly how much GenAI content appears in their feed.”
And hopefully this is a good solution, though I would note that Pinterest is only saying that these options will reduce the amount of AI-generated content that users will see, it won’t eliminate AI results entirely, even when you do toggle each topic element on.
The challenge comes in identifying AI content, and ensuring that it doesn’t get shown as a result. Pinterest has already added AI tags, which enable users to self-report such, and it’s developing systems that can identify AI-generated images based on image data markers.
Pinterest Adds Controls to Reduce AI Content in Feeds
Understanding Pinterest’s New AI Content Controls
Pinterest, known for inspiration and creative discovery, has recently responded to the increasing prevalence of AI-generated content in its feeds by adding new user controls. These controls empower users to more effectively reduce or filter out AI-generated pins, enhancing the quality and authenticity of their browsing experience.
Why Reduce AI-Generated Content on Pinterest?
- Authenticity matters: Users crave genuine, human-created ideas over automated or AI-generated pins.
- Content quality: AI content can sometimes feel generic or repetitive, impacting user satisfaction negatively.
- Control over feed: Personalized feeds without excessive AI-generated material help users find unique and relevant inspiration.
Key Features of Pinterest’s AI Content Controls
The introduced controls offer a seamless way to curate your Pinterest feed,reducing AI-generated pin exposure through:
- Toggle filters: Users can enable or disable AI content filters directly from their feed settings.
- Customizable feed preferences: Adjust preferences to prioritize original or human-made content.
- Feedback options: Report or mark AI content to help Pinterest improve detection algorithms.
- Openness labels: Some AI-generated pins might be tagged, increasing user awareness.
How to Activate and Use AI Content Controls on Pinterest
- Log in to your Pinterest account.
- Navigate to your profile and select Settings.
- Choose Feed Preferences or Content Controls (terminology may vary).
- Enable the toggle for reducing AI-generated content.
- Optionally, use the Report Pin feature for any suspicious AI-created content.
Note: These options may gradually roll out to all users, so your interface might differ.
Benefits of Reducing AI-Generated Content in Your Pinterest Feed
| Benefit | description |
|---|---|
| Enhanced Inspiration | Access to more authentic, creative ideas from real creators |
| Better Engagement | Interact more meaningfully with unique and relevant pins |
| Improved User Trust | Know that the content you see reflects genuine creativity |
| Customized Experience | Control your feed’s content to suit your personal taste |
Practical Tips for Maximizing Your Pinterest Experience
- Regularly update preferences: Pinterest may update AI filters; revisit your settings to keep them optimized.
- Use “Report Pin” effectively: Notify Pinterest about AI-generated pins that slip through the filter.
- Follow verified creators: Authenticity often correlates with creator profiles that are verified or well-established.
- Combine filters: Use AI content controls along with other feed preferences like topic selections for highly tailored results.
Firsthand User Experience with Pinterest AI Controls
Many Pinterest users have reported a noticeable betterment in feed quality after enabling the new AI content controls. The overall content feels fresher, more diverse, and genuinely inspiring. Community feedback highlights:
- Reduction in repetitive AI-generated pins.
- More exposure to original artwork,crafts,and recipes.
- Greater satisfaction with discovery sessions, boosting both time spent and pin saves.
Case Study: Creators Thrive as AI Content Controls Mature
Several creators have noticed a positive impact on engagement metrics following the rollout of AI content controls. As AI-generated content reduces, human-generated pins gain more visibility, leading to:
- Increased follower growth for active creators.
- Higher pin repins and click-through rates.
- Improved creator-user trust dynamics.
Future Outlook: Pinterest’s Commitment to Authenticity
Pinterest continues to refine its AI detection and user controls to maintain a balance between innovative technology and quality user experience. The platform signals ongoing investment into:
- Enhanced AI content identification technology.
- more granular control options for users.
- Educational campaigns on identifying AI versus human-generated content.
But this isn’t perfect. If someone, for example, creates an AI image, then screenshots it, those markers would be removed, and if that’s then submitted as a Pin, I suspect Pinterest won’t be able to pick them out.
But Pinterest is acknowledging that this is a problem, and after months of user complaints, it is adding more tools and options to tackle the issue, and root out misleading AI Pins.
It just comes down to how effective this is, and how much Pinterest, or indeed any platform, can actually identify and combat AI content, as it becomes a bigger element in online engagement.
Which is also why it’s confusing that so many apps are pushing their own generative AI elements, prompting people to create images of themselves in fantastical scenes and depictions, that bear no resemblance to any kind of reality.
Pinterest’s experience thus far would suggest that people don’t actually want this type of AI slop to take over, so why are we being prompted to add more of this junk to the content mix?
Maybe it’s inevitable, but it seems that accepting it is still different from actively encouraging the same.
But accepting the fact that generative AI content is here to stay, the best the platforms can do is work to better identify it, then offer options to remove it from view, if people choose.
Pinterest says that its AI settings are now available on Android and desktop, and will be expanded to iOS “over the following weeks.”
