Pinterest is a web and mobile app that operates a photo sharing website (1). Founded by Ben Silbermann, Paul Sciarra en Evan Sharp, it has become a multi billion dollar company. In October 2016, Pinterest announced 150 million monthly active users (2), 70 million in the U.S. and 80 million outside of the U.S. Demographically, it is mot popular with women, but in Britain the male percentage of users is almost at 60%. It is now valued at $11 billion and holds the 10th position at the Fortune Magazine Unicorn List.
Lens, the new update that Pinterest is planning to launch soon, will function as a pocket stylist among other things. For a small group of people living in the U.S. when you download the latest version of the app, you will see a camera icon next to the search bar. This is the beta version of Lens, the brand new visual discovery tool.
The function is all about helping you find ideas inspired by things in the real world. It comes with an option of taking a picture of something and showing images in which it appears as well as how to style it with other things and where to get it. Recent updates inform us that Lens is still in its trial phase in the U.S. but it is expected to arrive to Europe in the months to come.
It will work similarly to a search engine, but instead of working around words it will do so with images. It opens up enormous possibilities for street style search and catching trends in the bud, since it will allow users to upload an image of a certain item and see how many pinners are sharing it or uploading it. It will also allow users to buy through it with its Shop the Look function, not only offering advice on how to use it but from where to acquire it. Right now the option is only available for stores like Macy’s or Neiman Marcus or items of brands such as Michael Kors and Wayfair. Just tap the circle on each item to find the styles you’re looking for.
Decoration, furniture, art or even food will also work with Lens. Instant Ideas is specially curated for food and recommends similar dishes and their recipes. Whenever you see something interesting you can click on the circle appearing on the right corner and it will expand a universe of related ideas. The new search will appear right inline, so the feed will constantly reshape itself around whatever catches your eye without losing your spot.
Eventually, anything you see and take a picture of could be a kick off for a search of ideas to try. It is expected that Lens will expand and learn as it is used and amplify its search parameters. I sincerely can’t wait to try it!
Check the official promotion video here!
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About Pinterest:
As a user, each person or company has a profile of inspirational boards in which they can upload, save, sort, manage and share pictures -known as pins- from anywhere on the net. It functions as a catalog of ideas, a refined mood board for different trends and likes that are called pinboards. Registration is required and following other users is encouraged. The end result is that each pin feed of each user displays a unique, personalized result based on friends, following pinners and searches performed recently. Pinterest allows businesses to create pages aimed at promoting their companies, as virtual storefronts, with links that provide a quick access to the stores. In 2013, they introduced Rich Pins, to enhance the customer experience when browsing through company pins.
Other services provided include Pinterest Analytics which is much like Google Analytics, it generates comprehensive statistics on a specific website’s traffic. As such it provides info on pins, pinners, repins and repinners as well as collecting data that depicts many variables in regards to a product. The Most Clicked demonstrates products that are more likely to sell. In regards to copyright content, there is a notification system that copyright holders can use to request the content be removed from site. In march 2017, the company came under the scanner of the Chinese Internet laws and it has since been blocked in China.
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Sources: Pinterest, CNN, Lens, Forbes
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