#1 Probably The Best Photo I’ve Ever Taken (99,99% Of The Credits To The Edition)
If you’re not an avid Pinterest user, you might not be familiar with what the site has to offer. But according to the company, the site is a space to “find and explore what you actually like, not just what gets likes.” It’s not about posting selfies or sharing funny stories, like most social media platforms.
Pinterest is about finding inspiration. “Save Pins, shop what you love and follow your taste wherever it takes you,” the company writes. You can find craft ideas, wedding dress inspiration, home decor ideas, and much, much more. Contrary to some of its peers, the site isn’t about impressing others or trying to go viral. It’s there to help you build a more beautiful life.
According to BCG Matrix, Pinterest was founded in March 2010 by Ben Silbermann, Paul Sciarra, and Evan Sharp. The name comes from combining the words “pin” and “interest,” and the company secured initial seed funding of $500,000 at its inception. While the site may not be as popular as social media platforms that revolve around connecting with others, it is still extremely successful.
By 2012, Pinterest had reached 10 million monthly active users. And in 2024, the site achieved its first-ever billion-dollar revenue quarter, racking in $1.15 billion from 553 million global monthly active users.
Now, you might be wondering what makes Pinterest so different from simply searching on Google. Social Fixation explains that Pinterest is a visual search engine. It allows users to create virtual mood boards and inspo boards. Plus, it’s a zen space that's free of any drama. It’s not about following celebrities or influencers, and there’s no pressure to receive lots of likes or comments. Users simply alter their feed to ensure they see what makes them happy, without being subjected to controversial posts that might pop up on other platforms.
At the same time, Social Fixation says Pinterest attracts planners and dreamers. The site brings creative individuals together and allows them to find ideas and creations that they couldn’t put into words before. If you’re not sure how to explain to your hairdresser what kind of wolf cut you want, you can certainly find the exact one on Pinterest. Or you can find examples of what you don’t want. You’ll know what you're looking for when you see it, and the best place to find it will be Pinterest.
When it comes to who’s using Pinterest and how, a report from Adam Connell found that 6.4% of the global population is on the platform. And the platform is still growing by about 12% year after year. It’s currently the world’s 12th most-favorite social media platform, and the average user spends about 1 hour and 49 minutes on the site every month. This is significantly lower than the time users spend on TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, so it might be the best platform to keep if you’re trying to curb your social media habit!
According to the same report, the top reason cited for using Pinterest is to follow or research brands and products. 85% of users who hop onto the platform each week also say it’s where they go before starting a new project. And arguably the best part about using Pinterest is that the vast majority of users say they feel positive after using the site.
