Final yr, as a part of an expanded push to bolster physique positivity inside its app, Pinterest banned all advertisements with weight reduction language and imagery, which was a big stance inside the broader, visual-focused social media sphere.

So what influence has that had, and has it helped enhance dialogue and engagement within the app?

In accordance with new knowledge from Pinterest, it has had an influence, with ‘weight reduction’ searches lowering by 20% (Might 2022 versus July 2021), whereas searches for ‘fast and wholesome meals’ are up 65x, and ‘wholesome meals motivation’ searches have jumped 13x.

As per Pinterest:

“Once we applied our weight reduction advert ban a yr in the past, our hope was to proceed constructing our platform as a secure and welcoming setting the place all Pinners be at liberty to be who they’re no matter physique form or dimension. Now a yr later, we’re seeing a constructive response from customers, demonstrating the true influence such a coverage can have on on-line behaviors and perceptions.”

In fact, a few of these outcomes are relative to total utilization (Pinterest had 444m energetic customers in July final yr, and has 433m now) and the precise search phrases used for comparability.

However even with these components in thoughts, Pinterest has highlighted some attention-grabbing utilization shifts.

• “learn how to change your mindset” searches elevated by +50%
• “constructive self affirmations” searches elevated by 5X
• “loving myself searches” elevated by +36%
• “settle for your physique quotes” searches elevated by 3X
• “physique positivity searches” elevated by 2X
• “curvy physique reference” searches elevated by 5X

These would even be considerably influenced by broader societal tendencies, however it’s attention-grabbing to contemplate the impacts that Pinterest’s ban on weight reduction content material might be having on broader engagement and interplay tendencies inside the app.

Might seeing fewer advertisements that disgrace customers for his or her dimension then result in a extra constructive setting, the place folks can really feel extra snug exploring new tendencies and behaviors?

The outcomes right here counsel that this might properly be the case, which is attention-grabbing to contemplate when it comes to broader social media tendencies, the place airbrushed, closely edited, extremely staged depictions have develop into the norm for a lot of customers.

That may positively have destructive psychological well being impacts. Analysis has proven that 32% of adlescent women felt worse about their our bodies when utilizing Instagram, because the app reinforces magnificence norms that could be unattainable for many individuals. That’s additionally, reportedly, a part of the enchantment of TikTok, in that it’s extra centered on unpolished, reasonable depictions of how folks truly look, however even then, AR filters and results can alter look, and have an effect.

Perhaps, then, a broader ban on weight reduction advertisements might be of profit, as a minimum of one measure to assist normalize illustration in every app.

It looks as if a small step, however as Pinterest’s stats present, it will possibly have a big influence.