Pinterest’s new ‘crazy fun’ visual search tool identifies items in a pin
From the chaotic array of pins to the stylish items in them, Pinterest suffers from sensory overload. Now, the social network is hoping to make itself less overwhelming with a new visual search function.
Pinterest is rolling its “crazy fun” search tool to users tomorrow that aims to stamp out one of the biggest problems facing it: Users wondering “What is that and where can I get one?”
The tool lets users highlight a part of the Pin, say that super chic stylish rocking chair, and search for similar items on the website so users can find the name of it or where to buy it from. It can be accessed on Web and on mobile.
The new feature is part of the social network’s further pivot into becoming a profitable platform. Brands, as Digiday reported last month, are expected to pump a lot of money into the startup as it fine tunes its products including better measurement tools and targeting devices.
Pinterest is forecasting to rake in as much as $2.8 billion in revenue in 2018, up from $169 million this year, so it can’t move quick enough with these money making tools. It’s Pinterest’s latest stab at generating revenue, which earlier this year introduced “promoted pins” and a “buy” button where people can purchase things without leaving Pinterest.
“It will help attract a larger share of search advertising money,” Ben Kennedy, group director of mobile at Integer, told Digiday. “This play appears to reinforce the foundation behind additional paid products that allow advertisers to buy space to be the first product within search. It is also showing the importance Pinterest is placing on being a search engine first.”
Of course, visual search isn’t anything new. Neiman Marcus has a “Snap. Find. Shop.” tool within its app that does just that and Google has Goggles, an image recognition app that identifies products but is plagued with poor reviews and has been basically forgotten about.
But Pinterest’s powerful database — it layers 100 pieces of data to each picture — coupled with its scale of 50 billion images could finally be the tool that differentiates itself from everyone else.
-
Newsletter publishers cautiously plan to expand editorial and sales teams
Publishers with newsletter-focused businesses are looking to grow their editorial and sales teams this year — but cautiously, to keep spending down during a time of economic uncertainty.
-
Magna 2023 forecast paints a resilient U.S. market, thanks to retail media and streaming
In its latest ad forecast, Magna is expecting a resilient U.S. market this year – boosted by retail, streaming and the auto industry’s bounceback.
-
How agencies are shaping the future of DEI beyond their own walls
Agencies are acknowledging that diversity efforts don’t stop with their companies. In addition to improving employee representation, now agency efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion are aimed at supporting clients and external partners.
-
SponsoredHow advertisers are fostering more effective publisher partnerships
Michael Weaver, senior vice president, business development and growth, Al Jazeera Media Network An everyday conversation between publishers and advertisers goes like this: The publisher invites the advertiser to a meal to talk about their business, attempts to delve into specifics on what the media buyer is looking to achieve, their audience breakdown and how […]
-
Newsletter publishers say they continue to see uptick in revenue despite advertising slowdown
At a time when larger media companies are feeling the pressure of the economic downturn and advertising slowdown, newsletter businesses continue to be in a period of revenue growth.
-
TikTok’s CEO faces bipartisan skepticism in first Congressional hearing on security concerns
The hearing comes amid calls to remove TikTok from government devices and in some cases even ban it entirely.
