PINTEREST POINTS • DATA TRANSPARENCY
PINTEREST POINTS • DATA TRANSPARENCY
PINTEREST POINTS • DATA TRANSPARENCY
Giving users control over content
Giving users control over content
👩🏻💻 Role
Product Strategist & Designer
👥 Team
Individual
⏰ Duration
Mar-Apr 2025
🎩 Hats Worn
Product Strategy, User Research, Usability Testing
📌 OVERVIEW
Pinterest is a visual discovery platform that allows users to explore and save inspiring content in the form of digital pinboards.
Pinterest is a visual discovery platform that allows users to explore and save inspiring content in the form of digital pinboards.
Pinterest is a visual discovery platform that allows users to explore and save inspiring content in the form of digital pinboards.
However … it's often unclear where images come from. Users can easily save and download content without knowing the source or crediting the creator.
However … it's often unclear where images come from. Users can easily save and download content without knowing the source or crediting the creator.
However … it's often unclear where images come from. Users can easily save and download content without knowing the source or crediting the creator.
Image: Saving pins is designed to be quick and seamless, allowing users to add to boards in just one tap.
Digging deeper …
Reviewing current metrics
Pinterest stands out as one of the most popular visual discovery platforms today. While it may not be the biggest, its global community continues to drive billions of saves and interactions each month, showing a strong opportunity to implement new features that are driven by engagement.
Pinterest stands out as one of the most popular visual discovery platforms today.
Pinterest stands out as one of the most popular visual discovery platforms today. While it may not be the biggest, its global community continues to drive billions of saves and interactions each month, showing a strong opportunity to implement new features that are driven by engagement.
578 M
578 M
578 M
1.5 B
1.5 B
1.5 B
1.3 B
1.3 B
1.3 B
Active Monthly Users
Active Monthly Users
Active Monthly Users
Pins Saved Weekly
Pins Saved Weekly
Pins Saved Weekly
Monthly Visits
Monthly Visits
Monthly Visits
What do these numbers mean for Pinterest?
What do these numbers mean for Pinterest?
What do these numbers mean for Pinterest?
With over 1.5 billion Pins saved to boards each week, Pinterest shows strong potential for continued growth. This presents an opportunity to explore ways to keep users engaged for longer and make the platform more accountable to its creators, without compromising the simplicity that makes it enjoyable.
With over 1.5 billion Pins saved to boards each week, Pinterest shows strong potential for continued growth. This presents an opportunity to explore ways to keep users engaged for longer and make the platform more accountable to its creators, without compromising the simplicity that makes it enjoyable.
With over 1.5 billion Pins saved to boards each week, Pinterest shows strong potential for continued growth. This presents an opportunity to explore ways to keep users engaged for longer and make the platform more accountable to its creators, without compromising the simplicity that makes it enjoyable.
Image: Current primary interactions on a Pin include liking, commenting, sharing, and saving. Additional actions like download, collage, and report are hidden under the three-dot menu.
📌 THE EMERGING PROBLEM
Attribution is Pinterest’s missing link, the connection that ties creators and users together
Attribution is Pinterest’s missing link
With over 578 million monthly global users, many share original content, including art, recipes, and daily inspiration. Pinterest thrives on inspiration and discovery, yet it lacks clear tools for creator recognition and protection. Creators have increasingly reported that their work is being reposted without their consent, often for profit.
With over 578 million monthly global users, many share original content, including art, recipes, and daily inspiration. Pinterest thrives on inspiration and discovery, yet it lacks clear tools for creator recognition and protection.
With over 578 million monthly global users, many share original content, including art, recipes, and daily inspiration. Pinterest thrives on inspiration and discovery, yet it lacks clear tools for creator recognition and protection. Creators have increasingly reported that their work is being reposted without their consent, often for profit.
This led me to ask:
How might we encourage responsible and transparent engagement across Pinterest?
How might we encourage responsible and transparent engagement across Pinterest?
How might we encourage responsible and transparent engagement across Pinterest?
THE GAME PLAN
Creating a more intentional experience
Creating a more intentional experience
Let's reimagine Pinterest with a system that can not only drive growth but also encourage ethical engagement. What would it look like if every interaction encouraged users to pause and consider the value behind the content they engage with?
Let's reimagine Pinterest with a system that can not only drive growth but also encourage ethical engagement.
What would it look like if every interaction encouraged users to pause and consider the value behind the content they engage with?
Let's reimagine Pinterest with a system that can not only drive growth but also encourage ethical engagement. What would it look like if every interaction encouraged users to pause and consider the value behind the content they engage with?
JUMP TO SOLUTION
📌 USER RESEARCH
Pinterest users are frustrated by the lack of content protection
To better understand user needs, I conducted interviews and sent out a survey to gather the viewpoints of both regular Pinterest users and creators.
Some of the key questions from the interviews include:
How often do you save or repost content on Pinterest, and what motivates you to do so?
Have you ever tried to trace the origin of a pin? What was the experience like?
If you were to post your own work, how would you feel if it got reposted by others without proper attribution?
To better understand user needs, I conducted interviews and sent out a survey to gather the viewpoints of both regular Pinterest users and creators.
Some of the key questions from the interviews include:
How often do you save or repost content on Pinterest, and what motivates you to do so?
Have you ever tried to trace the origin of a pin? What was the experience like?
If you were to post your own work, how would you feel if it got reposted by others without proper attribution?
To better understand user needs, I conducted interviews and sent out a survey to gather the viewpoints of both regular Pinterest users and creators.
Some of the key questions from the interviews include:
How often do you save or repost content on Pinterest, and what motivates you to do so?
Have you ever tried to trace the origin of a pin? What was the experience like?
If you were to post your own work, how would you feel if it got reposted by others without proper attribution?
Based off of the participants responses, I gathered these main insights:
Most participants, especially design students, found it frustrating that it’s often impossible to find the origin of a pin. Thus making Pinterest feel like a less credible source for inspiration or research.
Most participants, especially design students, found it frustrating that it’s often impossible to find the origin of a pin. Thus making Pinterest feel like a less credible source for inspiration or research.
From a creator’s perspective, its frustrating to see your work being shared without acknowledgement. For users, there’s a sense of moral hesitation where they question whether it’s acceptable to share someone else's content without proper credit.
From this, I realized that...
Pinterest’s open sharing model, while convenient, often leaves creators uncredited and users uncertain about authenticity.
Pinterest’s open sharing model often leaves creators uncredited and users uncertain about authenticity.
Conversations online reveal users' frustration over uncredited and stolen Pins.
Conversations online reveal users' frustration over uncredited and stolen Pins.
How do visual content platforms vary?
How do visual content platforms vary?
Competitive Analysis
I wanted to better understand how popular visual sharing platforms handle content visibility so I analyzed four others for comparison. Each platform had a different unique purpose for creators to share content and different ways of recognizing their contributions.
I wanted to better understand how popular visual sharing platforms handle content visibility so I analyzed four others for comparison. Each platform had a different unique purpose for creators to share content and different ways of recognizing their contributions.
I wanted to better understand how popular visual sharing platforms handle content visibility so I analyzed four others for comparison. Each platform had a different unique purpose for creators to share content and different ways of recognizing their contributions.
Comparison of how different platforms approach creator attribution and user engagement.
Comparison of how different platforms approach creator attribution and user engagement.
📌 OPPORTUNITY
Identifying key moments
As I began brainstorming possible solutions, I wanted to find a balance between keeping what users already love about Pinterest while making it a more transparent and fair space for everyday users.
As I began brainstorming possible solutions, I wanted to find a balance between keeping what users already love about Pinterest while making it a more transparent and fair space for everyday users.
As I began brainstorming possible solutions, I wanted to find a balance between keeping what users already love about Pinterest while making it a more transparent and fair space for everyday users.
This user flow outlines how users currently interact with Pins. The highlighted section shows where user engagement occurs most frequently, presenting an opportunity to introduce new features that enhance both user experience and creator visibility.
This user flow outlines how users currently interact with Pins. The highlighted section shows where user engagement occurs most frequently, presenting an opportunity to introduce new features that enhance both user experience and creator visibility.
📌 IDEATING SOLUTIONS
Initial design concepts - finding the sweet spot
Building on the insights gathered, the next step was to test out a few different directions and see which approach felt most natural to Pinterest's experience.
Building on the insights gathered, the next step was to test out a few different directions and see which approach felt most natural to Pinterest's experience.
Building on the insights gathered, the next step was to test out a few different directions and see which approach felt most natural to Pinterest's experience.
Early iterations testing different ways users could engage with Pins and how creators would be given recognition.
Early iterations testing different ways users could engage with Pins and how creators would be given recognition.
📌 USER TESTING
Key insights from 10+ rounds of user testing
Over 5+ participants, including both regular Pinterest users and newcomers, tested low and high-prototype versions. Their feedback was synthesized and used to inform each iteration, ensuring that the design addressed real user needs and pain points.
Clarify what the points are for - Users were unsure what the points were for, whether it was to unlock perks or level up their account.
Change: Added a brief explainer to run the user through the purpose of points
Make point balance visible at all times - Users forgot how many points and had to flip through screens
Change: Current balance is available on all pages (Home, Pin, and Profile)
Current download button is buried - Action is hidden in the three dot menu and easy to miss for users who are new to Pinterest
Change: Moved the download button next to Save, the overflow keeps secondary actions
Over 5+ participants, including both regular Pinterest users and newcomers, tested low and high-prototype versions. Their feedback was synthesized and used to inform each iteration, ensuring that the design addressed real user needs and pain points.
Clarify what the points are for - Users were unsure what the points were for, whether it was to unlock perks or level up their account.
Change: Added a brief explainer to run the user through the purpose of points
Make point balance visible at all times - Users forgot how many points and had to flip through screens
Change: Current balance is available on all pages (Home, Pin, and Profile)
Current download button is buried - Action is hidden in the three dot menu and easy to miss for users who are new to Pinterest
Change: Moved the download button next to Save, the overflow keeps secondary actions
Over 5+ participants, including both regular Pinterest users and newcomers, tested low and high-prototype versions. Their feedback was synthesized and used to inform each iteration, ensuring that the design addressed real user needs and pain points.
Clarify what the points are for - Users were unsure what the points were for, whether it was to unlock perks or level up their account.
Change: Added a brief explainer to run the user through the purpose of points
Make point balance visible at all times - Users forgot how many points and had to flip through screens
Change: Current balance is available on all pages (Home, Pin, and Profile)
Current download button is buried - Action is hidden in the three dot menu and easy to miss for users who are new to Pinterest
Change: Moved the download button next to Save, the overflow keeps secondary actions
Pinterest → Pinterest Points
INTRODUCING
INTRODUCING
Pinterest Points
Pinterest Points
Pinterest Points
A system that rewards user engagement while promoting transparency around content origins.
A system that rewards user engagement while promoting transparency around content origins.
A system that rewards user engagement while promoting transparency around content origins.
Discover inspiration with less uncertainty and more transparency.
Creators can worry less about their content being stolen and users can find out where they are getting their content from.
Discover inspiration with less uncertainty and more transparency.
Creators can worry less about their content being stolen and users can find out where they are getting their content from.
Discover inspiration with less uncertainty and more transparency.
Creators can worry less about their content being stolen and users can find out where they are getting their content from.
🤝 Encourage responsible engagement between users
Reward actions so that users respect original work instead of misusing it.
Reward actions so that users respect original work instead of misusing it.
Reward actions so that users respect original work instead of misusing it.
👥 Building a community
Provides motivation for users to engage more with each other.
Provides motivation for users to engage more with each other.
Provides motivation for users to engage more with each other.
📝 Give credit where credit is due
Creators can worry less about their content being stolen and users can find out where they are getting their content.
Creators can worry less about their content being stolen and users can find out where they are getting their content.
Creators can worry less about their content being stolen and users can find out where they are getting their content.
🎯 FINAL SCREENS
Rewarding Users, Crediting Creators
A simple added feature to enhance the Pinterest experience for all users.
In the user flow, users earn points by saving, liking, and commenting. When they download a Pin, they spend the points they've earned and the original creator is credited. In the creator flow, creators have an additional protection setting where they can choose to apply different watermark styles to their work.
Check out the prototype here
A simple added feature to enhance the Pinterest experience for all users.
In the user flow, users earn points by saving, liking, and commenting. When they download a Pin, they spend the points they've earned and the original creator is credited. In the creator flow, creators have an additional protection setting where they can choose to apply different watermark styles to their work.
Check out the prototype here
A simple added feature to enhance the Pinterest experience for all users. In the user flow, users earn points by saving, liking, and commenting. When they download a Pin, they spend the points they've earned and the original creator is credited. In the creator flow, creators have an additional protection setting where they can choose to apply different watermark styles to their work.
Check out the prototype here
User Profile Page
User Profile Page
Points Explanation
Points Explanation
Pin Page
Pin Page
Pin Page
Download Prompt
Download Prompt
Download Prompt
Creator Profile Page
Creator Profile Page
Creator Profile Page
Creator Points Explanation
Creator Points Explanation
Creator Points Explanation
Protection Option
Protection Option
Protection Option
Watermark Setting
Watermark Setting
Watermark Setting
📌 IMPACT
Success Metrics
The updated design made it easy for users to see who created what, building confidence in the content they saved and shared while encouraging responsible sharing behaviours.
The updated design made it easy for users to see who created what, building confidence in the content they saved and shared while encouraging responsible sharing behaviours.
The updated design made it easy for users to see who created what, building confidence in the content they saved and shared while encouraging responsible sharing behaviours.
100%
said that the redesign was intuitive and easy to understand at a glance.
100%
said that it improved their overall confidence in saving and resharing pins.
80%
felt that Pinterest Points made the platform feel more respectful towards creators.
CONCLUSION
Moving forward …
While the need for better creator protection is evident, Pinterest Points is just one of the many approaches to this problem. Inspired by my frustration with reposted pins and the challenge of tracing work back to its original creator, Pinterest Points was born.
While the need for better creator protection is evident, Pinterest Points is just one of the many approaches to this problem. Inspired by my frustration with reposted pins and the challenge of tracing work back to its original creator, Pinterest Points was born.
While the need for better creator protection is evident, Pinterest Points is just one of the many approaches to this problem. Inspired by my frustration with reposted pins and the challenge of tracing work back to its original creator, Pinterest Points was born.
What's next?
While the core idea has been developed, there is still much more to explore. Moving forward, I'm curious to ask:
Would the points system retain users longer on the platform, or would it feel transactional?
What safeguards can we put to prevent users from uploading images that aren't theirs from other sites?
Could AI possibly be integrated to verify image ownership and authenticity?
What's next?
While the core idea has been developed, there is still much more to explore. Moving forward, I'm curious to ask:
Would the points system retain users longer on the platform, or would it feel transactional?
What safeguards can we put to prevent users from uploading images that aren't theirs from other sites?
Could AI possibly be integrated to verify image ownership and authenticity?
What's next?
While the core idea has been developed, there is still much more to explore. Moving forward, I'm curious to ask:
Would the points system retain users longer on the platform, or would it feel transactional?
What safeguards can we put to prevent users from uploading images that aren't theirs from other sites?
Could AI possibly be integrated to verify image ownership and authenticity?
