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After facing significant criticism over a surge in “AI slop” cluttering users’ feeds, Pinterest has unveiled new features aimed at reducing the visibility of AI-generated content on its platform. On Thursday, the company announced these enhancements, which allow users to customize their feeds and limit exposure to generative AI imagery in various categories. Additionally, Pinterest has pledged to increase the prominence of its existing labels for GenAI content in the upcoming days.
Widely used for discovering and bookmarking inspiration and shopping ideas, Pinterest had recently come under fire for the overwhelming presence of generative AI content. Users expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, claiming that the influx of such content diminished the quality of their experience. This sentiment has been documented by media outlets, sparking discussions on whether the platform could recover from this downturn caused by AI.
The rise of AI-generated content, which now comprises 57% of all online material according to academic sources, poses challenges as these images grow increasingly sophisticated and difficult to discern. Earlier this year, Pinterest had introduced “AI modified” labels to help identify images identified as AI-generated based on metadata or its own detection systems, with a commitment to eventually provide user-facing tools to reduce AI content visibility.
Now, those promised tools have been rolled out. Users can find the new settings under “Refine your recommendations” in the app’s “Settings” menu. Here, they can opt to see less AI-generated material in specific areas prone to such content, including beauty, art, fashion, and home decor. Pinterest plans to expand these categories based on user feedback, offering flexibility for users to adjust their preferences at any time.
Moreover, while browsing, users can provide real-time feedback on AI-generated imagery by accessing the three-dot overflow menu and selecting an appropriate category to refine their recommendations. The updated features will first be available on the web and Android, with an eventual rollout for iOS users in the coming weeks.
In a statement regarding the launch, Pinterest’s Chief Technology Officer Matt Madrigal emphasized the importance of community, stating, “With our new GenAI controls, we’re empowering people to personalize their Pinterest experience more than ever – striking the right balance between human creativity and AI innovation, and ensuring every feed truly reflects what inspires them most.”
