Pinterest adds controls to limit the amount of ‘AI slop’ in your feed

Following backlash over growing “AI slop” on users’ feeds, Pinterest on Thursday added new tools that let users limit how much AI-generated content they see on the platform.

Users can now personalize their feeds to restrict GenAI imagery to select categories, and the company said it will make its existing GenAI content labels more noticeable in the coming days.

The site, widely used to browse and bookmark aspirational content and potential purchases, has come under attack from users who have Complained About this on a large scale increase In GenAI content. media has also been some documented crisiswhile openly Wondering if AI is already doomed Pinterest or if it can still be fixed.

If the problem is left unresolved, it could destroy Pinterest’s reputation and ultimately its bottom line.

Breaking the AI ​​slope is also potentially a difficult task as more of the web becomes filled with AI-generated content and the quality of AI content improves, making it less obvious to identify. with citing a reference academic literaturePinterest notes that GenAI content now makes up 57% of all online content.

To address the problem, Pinterest introduced “AI modified” labels earlier this year that would appear on images whose metadata indicated AI generation, or if Pinterest’s own systems found that the content was AI-generated. At the time, the company said it would “soon” introduce consumer-facing tools that would let users opt out of viewing less AI content.

Those tools are now out and will be available under “Refine your recommendations” in the app’s “Settings” menu.

Here, users will be able to configure whether they would like to see less GenAI content in certain categories dominated by AI-generated imagery, such as beauty, art, fashion, and home decor. Pinterest said it will introduce more categories in the future based on user feedback. Also, if users want to modify their settings, they can do so at any time.

Additionally, users can send feedback about AI imagery while browsing the site. If they see a Pin that isn’t appealing due to its generative AI nature, they can tap the three-dot overflow menu and select a category to refine their preferences.

Pinterest said the new controls are launching first on the website and Android, and will also be available to iOS users in the coming weeks.

In a statement about the launch, Pinterest Chief Technology Officer Matt Madrigal said, “Our community is at the heart of everything we do.” “With our new GenAI controls, we’re empowering people to personalize their Pinterest experience more than ever before – striking the right balance between human creativity and AI innovation, and ensuring that each feed reflects exactly what inspires them most.”