The Dark Side of Pinterest: How AI-Generated Content is Ruining the Platform
Ugh, I’m at my wit’s end with Pinterest lately. As I scroll through my feed, I’m bombarded with the same tired, overused phrases and generic sentences. It’s like the algorithm has given up trying to find me unique and interesting content and is instead serving up a never-ending stream of AI-generated slop.
I’m not alone in my frustration, it seems. According to a recent article on WIRED, the problem of AI-generated content on Pinterest is getting worse. I mean, who hasn’t stumbled upon a recipe or DIY project that just doesn’t seem right? It’s like the content creators have lost touch with what makes Pinterest great in the first place.
Take Caitlyn Jones, for example. She was trying to whip up a delicious creamy chicken and broccoli dish using a Pinterest recipe, only to end up with a watery, bland mess. Needless to say, she’s not exactly chomping at the bit to get back on the app.
But Jones’ experience is just the tip of the iceberg. According to Alexios Mantzarlis, director of the Safety, Belief, and Security Initiative at Cornell Tech, AI-generated content is a rampant issue on Pinterest. “All platforms have decided that this is part of the new normal,” he says. “It’s a huge part of the content being produced across the board.”
So, how did we get here? Well, Pinterest launched in 2010 with the promise of being a “visible discovery engine for finding concepts.” For years, the platform remained ad-free, building a loyal community of creatives. But as it grew to over half a billion active users, something changed.
Mantzarlis points out that Pinterest’s reliance on pictures makes it more vulnerable to AI-generated content. And with users being funneled towards external websites, content farms have found an easy way to monetize.
But what’s the solution? Unfortunately, it seems like Pinterest is stuck in a cycle of en-shittification (yes, that’s a real word), as Mantzarlis so eloquently put it. But all hope isn’t lost! With a little creativity and effort, maybe we can turn the tide and restore Pinterest to its former glory.
So, what do you guys think? Are you tired of the same old AI-generated content on Pinterest too? Share your thoughts in the comments!
