Pinterest: A Beacon of Inclusivity in Social Media
There are times on social media where I feel completely and utterly disheartened.
But then, something wonderful happens.
Pinterest has taken a monumental leap forward in promoting inclusivity with the launch of its innovative new tool: ‘body type ranges’.
What’s so amazing about it? The new feature empowers users to self-select the body types they want to see in their search results for women’s fashion and wedding ideas, marking a significant stride toward making Pinterest the most inclusive online space to search, save, and shop.
Inclusion at the Heart of Inspiration
Pinterest has always championed the idea that inspiration begins with inclusion. The introduction of body type ranges puts this belief into action, granting users the power to customise their search results based on four distinct body types. This visual cue appears when users search for fashion or wedding inspiration, allowing them to select the body type that best reflects how they see themselves. This thoughtful approach ensures that users see representations that resonate with their personal experiences and identities.
A Broader Vision for Inclusivity
The rollout of body type ranges is part of Pinterest’s broader mission to develop AI-powered technology that enhances user experience without being addictive. This feature is backed by Pinterest’s patent-pending body type technology, which utilises shape, size, and form to identify various body types across the platform’s extensive library of over 3.5 billion images. As the year progresses, Pinterest plans to expand this feature to include men’s fashion, further broadening its scope of inclusivity.
Real Impact, Real Engagement
“Pinterest is a visual discovery platform and we want users to be able to see themselves reflected in their search results. That’s why we are leveraging AI to bring greater inclusion to our product design.”
Sabrina Ellis, Chief Product Officer at Pinterest, emphasises the platform’s commitment to inclusivity, stating, “Pinterest is a visual discovery platform and we want users to be able to see themselves reflected in their search results. That’s why we are leveraging AI to bring greater inclusion to our product design.” The impact is already evident, with users engaging with body type ranges showing a 66% higher engagement rate per session compared to those who haven't utilised the tool. This statistic underscores the tool's effectiveness in fostering a more personalised and engaging user experience.
Responding to User Needs
Pinterest’s dedication to inclusivity isn’t new. The platform has consistently introduced tools that cater to diverse user needs, such as skin tone ranges and hair pattern search. With nearly half a billion users visiting Pinterest monthly to search, save, and shop, the platform’s efforts to mirror the diversity of its global user base are both timely and essential. Since 2018, Pinterest has led the industry in creating products that promote inclusive experiences, setting a high standard for other social media platforms to follow.
Showcasing Size-Inclusive Brands
To celebrate the launch of body type ranges, Pinterest will spotlight several size-inclusive brands on its search landing page. Users will find curated shoppable content from brands like Eloquii, Ganni, Mara Hoffman, Osei Duro, and Gia / Irl, further emphasising Pinterest’s commitment to inclusivity in fashion.
How to Use Body Type Ranges
Using body type ranges on Pinterest is simple:
Open the Pinterest app.
Select the search icon.
Type a search query (e.g., "summer dresses").
Click on body types at the top of the search results.
Choose from a range of 1–4 body types.
To save your body type range selection for future searches, simply select the same body type range twice, and Pinterest will prompt you to save this preference to your device.
Currently available in the US and being tested in Canada, body type ranges for women’s fashion and wedding-related content will soon expand to men’s fashion and other verticals, as well as additional international markets.
A Call to Action for Social Media Platforms
Pinterest’s body type ranges set a powerful example of how social media can be a force for good. By prioritising inclusivity and user empowerment, Pinterest demonstrates the positive impact that thoughtful, user-centered design can have on a global scale.
As we celebrate this milestone, let’s encourage other platforms (and brands!) to follow Pinterest’s lead in making the online world a more inclusive and representative space for everyone.
Pinterest has been deemed as the ‘positivity corner’ of the internet, and I couldn’t agree more. And with updates like this, it fills me with so much joy.
You can read more about their Inclusion and Representation practices here: https://creators.pinterest.com/en-gb/inclusion-and-representation/
