Pinterest released new controls on Thursday allowing users to limit the amount of AI-generated content in their feeds. The move follows user backlash and media coverage concerning a surge of such material, colloquially termed “AI slop,” on the visual discovery platform.
The site, which is widely utilized for browsing and bookmarking inspirational content and items for purchase, had come under fire from users who complained about the massive uptick in GenAI content. Media outlets also documented the problem. An unresolved increase in this content could pose a risk to Pinterest’s reputation and financial performance. Concurrent with the new controls, the company said it will make its existing GenAI content labels more noticeable in the coming days.
Addressing the issue presents a challenge as more of the web becomes populated with AI-generated material. Citing academic literature, Pinterest noted that GenAI content now constitutes 57% of all online material. The improving quality of this content also makes it less obvious for users to spot and distinguish from human-created imagery, complicating platform-wide moderation and filtering efforts.
Video: Pinterest
Pinterest’s initial response earlier in the year involved the introduction of “AI modified” labels. These labels were applied to images when their metadata indicated AI generation or when the platform’s internal systems detected that the content was AI-generated. During that announcement, the company stated it would “soon” introduce consumer-facing tools that would let users choose to see less AI content.
Those tools have now arrived and are available in the application’s “Settings” menu, located under the “Refine your recommendations” section. Within this menu, users can configure whether they would like to see less GenAI content in certain categories particularly prone to AI-generated imagery. The initial categories are beauty, art, fashion, and home décor. Pinterest stated it will introduce more categories in the future based on user feedback, and users can modify their settings at any time.
Alongside the primary settings, users can send feedback about AI imagery as they browse the site. If a user sees a Pin that is unappealing because of its generative AI nature, they can tap the three-dot overflow menu on the image and select a category to refine their content preferences directly from their feed.
The new controls are launching first on the Pinterest website and on the Android application. A rollout for iOS users is scheduled to occur over the weeks ahead, according to the company’s announcement.
“Our community is at the heart of everything we do,” said Matt Madrigal, Pinterest’s chief technology officer, in a statement. “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.”
