This is one of my blog entries from my media and culture class. The blog deals with Pinterest and all the aspects that surround this popular, up-and-coming social media site.

Why is Everyone on Pinterest?

For the hyper-organized and the people who want to get organized, the creative and the DIY-ers, the romantics, the planners, the photography enthusiasts, the makeup junkies and the down right bored of reading-ers– Pinterest is the place to be.

Pinterest is essentially an online bulletin board where you “pin” (like push pins) images onto pin boards that you create, which are set into different categories. You can choose from the suggested categories on Pinterest or you can come up with your own to express exactly what your board is about.

The biggest appeal of Pinterest is that you can follow boards that are tailored to exactly what you’re interested in. Say you find someone’s board on cooking particularly impressive,  you have the option to only follow this board. If you like other boards by that same person, however, you have the ability to follow all of his/her boards.

This concept of choosing exactly what you want to see is what makes Pinterest so user-friendly. You can filter what content you’d like to show up on your home feed, and not have to deal with posts that you, frankly, couldn’t care less about. It’s gratifying to see posts that reiterate your beliefs and ideas, and not have to also become subject to posts that oppose these opinions. Not only is seeing posts that you disagree with frustrating, but it also makes you want to quit social media entirely, which is one reason Pinterest has done so well.

In an article on npr.org, “Nailing Down the Appeal of Pinterest”, Author Theresa Thomassoni writes, “And that’s the point. Like-minded people find each other on Pinterest to share ideas.” It’s empowering to know that there are so many other people who like the same things that you do. The ability to share those interests with each other is what really fuels Pinterest.

 

 

One of the most appealing things about Pinterest is its sheer look. Its web design is simple, clean, and organized. The categories and topics are all right there for you to search, and all of the “pins” are visually appealing. The backdrop is simple as to not distract from the images, and the images themselves are easy to digest. Unlike in a magazine, there are only pictures, so the most you’ll ever have to read is a lengthy quote or wordy caption. The pins don’t become popular if they’re blurry or low quality, so, typically, the pins that do show up are easy on the eyes as well. The website is simply pretty to look at– not too overwhelming, but far from boring or dull.

Recently Pinterest came out with the option to let customers shop off of the website. Before this new setting you would scroll through nice clothing and creative home decor and pray that once you click on an image there is an Etsy link attached, but now you can select the shop category and know that every pin is available to buy. Then you can pin all the items you want onto a board, like a wishlist. You can organize everything you’d like to purchase in one place, and then have it delivered to your door like magic.

Pinterest’s overall appeal, however, is not any hocus-pocus. It is basic science that has kept it so successful. Greed is naturally in the makeup of every human. Where Pinterest is full of pretty things, consumers want their lives to be made up of these pretty things as well, so they pin onto their boards and organize pictures of where they want to vacation, a new sports car, the next new renovation to their house, or a really cute pair of heels. Pinterest organizes our lives in a way that seems almost relaxing and stress relieving. On the screen everything is neatly placed into unique categories. People can find your boards by looking through Pinterest’s various topics. This creates an outlet to connect with people that are similar to us in the ideas and opinions that we share. It’s a place of sharing, socializing, and a way to paint a picture of what your ideal life looks like.

 

Citations:

1. First collage:
   • Flower pot: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384917099386559677/
   • Wedding dress: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384917099386544346/
   • New York info-graphic: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384917099386559589/
   • Essie nail color: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/ATiWt2YHdnP7ExO99ZE-KgJ4Q_vezYzO5rnuI2eaSSSPmBsEG_YgBj4/
   • Long hair flower crown: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384917099386544334/
   • Updo: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384917099386544345/
   • Travel: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384917099386544340/
   • Street lights: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384917099386544333/
2. Quote: http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2012/02/29/147596063/nailing-down-the-appeal-of-pinterest
3. Second Collage:
   •  Venice:https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AY4kUullPi48Jr0kXaIIFq8I_JejviznBISqhBZBCrau_8lqFQFEElI/
   • Venice bridge: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384917099385595086/
   • Meme: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384917099385589799/
   • France: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AQ09hXxarTbp2NpuUuWNrjEaTNPCY6cTjQP8lPuUOpd9tDe-m0WfVQo/
   • Santorini: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384917099385192962/
   • Positano, Itally: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384917099385192831/

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