What does the Pinterest Algorithm Do?

The Pinterest Algorithm

            Do you ever wonder why the content on your social media ends up relating to you on multiple different levels? This is because online platforms have data signals and rules that filter your social media feed to best suit you and your interests. This is called an algorithm, and it is key to the way Pinterest runs their platform. If you are not familiar with Pinterest, it is an American made social media platform that specializes in image sharing and discovery of information like recipes, style, motivation and more.

            The Pinterest algorithm is based off of four things. The first one being pin quality. Pin quality is simply how popular and well put together a post/pin is. As you can imagine, the higher quality of the pin, the higher it will be ranked. This leads to more exposure for the pin. Pin quality is measured off of the number of interactions and “repins” the post gets. The second standard the Pinterest algorithm is based off of is domain quality. Domain quality is how popular and effective the brand or website is at getting interactions on their posts. The brands or websites that get a lot of interactions consistently, will be ranked higher.

            The last two things that consist of the basis for Pinterest’s algorithm are pin ratings and the quality of the source behind a pin. Pin ratings are a score that Pinterest calculates after deep examination of an account. Pin ratings are conducted by evaluating the pins posted and repins, as well as the interactions and success of those pins. The more people interact with brands profiles and posts, the more likely it is for them to have a high pin rating. The quality of the source behind a pin is simply how reliable and trustworthy is the source of the post. For example, if I were to post a cooking recipe but I had no cooking experience, the quality of the source would not be good.

            In conclusion, the Pinterest algorithm is a fascinating subject that helps the platform distribute specific content to the appropriate audiences. However, Pinterest is not the only platform that uses an algorithm, as it tends to be a common trend across all social media.