Pinterest Rolls Out New Tools to Tackle AI Slop and Restore Content Quality

Pinterest is taking decisive action against the surge of low-quality, AI-generated content-commonly dubbed “AI slop”-that has been inundating its platform. Responding to mounting user complaints and concerns about the declining quality of Pins, the company has unveiled a suite of new tools designed to help users distinguish between authentic and AI-generated content, while giving them more control over what appears in their feeds.

One of the core updates is the introduction of clear labeling for AI-generated and AI-modified images. When users click on an image Pin for a closeup view, an “AI modified” label will now appear in the bottom left corner if the content is detected to be AI-generated. Pinterest will leverage both image metadata and proprietary AI classifiers to identify such content, even when obvious markers are absent. This dual approach aims to catch both overt and subtle uses of generative AI across the platform.

In addition to labeling, Pinterest is rolling out a new user setting that allows individuals to reduce the number of generative AI Pins they see. This feature empowers users to curate their experience and avoid being overwhelmed by AI-created visuals, which have been criticized for crowding out human-made content and diminishing the platform’s value as a source of genuine inspiration.

The company acknowledges that generative AI has enabled bad actors to flood Pinterest with fake images and spam, often linking to content farming sites. These developments have frustrated users and sparked debates about the platform’s future. Pinterest’s new tools are a direct response to these challenges, aiming to restore trust and usability for its core audience-people seeking real-life ideas and creative inspiration.

For creators, Pinterest has introduced an appeals process for instances where their content is incorrectly labeled as AI-generated, ensuring fairness and accuracy in the new system.

Pinterest’s CTO Matt Madrigal emphasized the company’s commitment to thoughtful AI integration, stating, “Gen AI content on Pinterest should enhance users’ ability to discover and act on their inspiration, and we are intentionally approaching this new landscape in a thoughtful way that benefits everyone on Pinterest”.

While these measures may not eliminate AI slop overnight, they represent a significant step toward transparency and user empowerment. Pinterest has also indicated that more tools and improvements are on the horizon, reinforcing its stance that generative AI, when properly managed, can be a force for inspiration rather than disruption.