Pinterest's AI Revolution: Embracing Body Diversity in Search Results

In a groundbreaking move towards inclusivity, Pinterest has announced the deployment of its innovative AI technology designed to ensure more excellent representation of diverse body types in its search results. The new technology utilizes unique identifiers such as shape, size, and form to recognize different body types in images. This allows users to see search results that reflect bodies similar to their own, including plus measures, through the algorithm.

"With the powerful addition of our new body type technology to our suite of inclusive AI efforts, we have improved representation of different body types on our platform by five times across women’s fashion-related searches in the US" - Sabrina Ellis, Pinterest’s chief product officer.

A Backend Technology Development

Pinterest clarified that the new feature is a backend technology development, meaning users cannot filter or search by body type. Instead, various body types will automatically appear in the initial search results. For example, if users search for date night outfit inspiration, they will be presented with results encompassing various body types and skin tone ranges. This new feature, created internally by Pinterest, builds on the company’s previous efforts to introduce inclusive search features.

Pinterest's Journey Towards Inclusivity

In 2018, Pinterest launched a skin tone search function that allows users to refine and personalize their beauty-related searches based on a set of skin tone ranges. This feature made the search results more personally relevant to individual users. Following this, in 2021, Pinterest introduced its hair pattern search feature that refines search results by offering six different hair types: protective, straight, wavy, coiled, curly, and shaved/bald.

Expanding the Body-Type Technology

The new body-type technology, developed to scan over five billion images on its platform, will initially roll out within Pinterest's wedding and women's fashion content. However, Pinterest has plans to further expand this technology to other categories, such as men's fashion, in the future. This innovative approach to inclusivity highlights Pinterest's commitment to ensuring that every user feels represented and valued on its platform.