Pinterest has officially implemented a new policy to label AI-generated images in Pins to assist users in identifying content that may be misleading. This response follows concerns about an influx of AI-generated content overwhelming the platform.
Pinterest’s AI labeling initiative
Futurism reported earlier this month on the growing problem of AI-generated “slop” in Pinterest feeds, causing frustration among users and leading some to stop using the app. In response, Pinterest announced that it has been developing AI detection and labeling features to provide users with relevant context regarding the content they see.
According to Pinterest, “We have been building labeling of AI-generated or modified content to provide relevant context to users about what they see on Pinterest. We’ll continue to expand these labels in the coming months.” The company added a new provision in its official rules indicating that a label may be displayed in the foreground of an image Pin when AI is detected in its generation or modification. This development aligns with the IPTC standard for photo metadata, which enables Pinterest to highlight AI-generated content based on the data embedded within images.
The newly designed tags have been visible in the app for the last couple of months, applied to a limited collection of Pins. The tags are displayed at the bottom left of the images, designed to stand out without serving as watermarks. However, this labeling does not extend to paid promotions. For ads on Pinterest, disclosure regarding AI-generated or modified content will only be available in the “Why am I seeing this ad?” section, based on metadata detection.
Despite the rise in AI-generated content, Pinterest reported record-high usage in the fourth quarter, with 553 million monthly active users. However, the presence of AI content has raised concerns that it could become more problematic in the future. Users have voiced their dissatisfaction, noting that AI-generated material is making the platform less navigable and useful.
Searches for common queries such as “healthy recipe ideas” have yielded numerous AI-generated Pins, with only a fraction being labeled as synthetic. Users reported encountering AI-generated images linking to spammy websites masquerading as genuine content. For instance, an AI-generated recipe featured a fake author bio. The trend has been observed across various categories such as fashion, food, and DIY inspiration, leading users to feel overwhelmed by the volume of AI content.
Frustrated users have taken to forums to express their discontent. “I was looking for hair color inspo and it was all AI. I couldn’t find a single human!!” remarked one user. Another stated, “I come to Pinterest for real-world examples. It has become garbage.” A user named Josh indicated that he used to browse Pinterest regularly for art and wallpapers but finds it challenging to locate genuine human-made content amid the AI deluge.
SEO spammers utilizing AI on Pinterest
Individuals such as Jesse Cunningham, a digital marketer with SEO expertise, have taken advantage of the influx of AI-generated content. Cunningham has posted YouTube videos detailing strategies that reportedly lead to significant earnings through the use of AI imagery on Pinterest. He claims his AI-assisted approach increased his Pins’ traffic to around 5,000 outbound clicks per day. Cunningham did not note any restrictions against AI content from Pinterest, as the platform has continued to develop ad-focused AI tools for marketers.
In an effort to address user concerns, Pinterest stated, “Impressions on generative AI content make up a small percentage of the total impressions on Pinterest.” The company is striving to provide users with more control and context about the content they encounter. Following the report, Pinterest reiterated its commitment to developing tools that label AI-generated or AI-modified content, promising ongoing efforts to enhance user experience.
As part of these changes, Pinterest has also implemented a toggle that allows users to opt-out of having their Pins used to train AI models. This feature is currently opted in by default, meaning all user content is subject to be utilized for AI training unless disabled by the user.
Featured image credit: charlesdeluvio/Unsplash
