Pinterest New Features & Developments for Creators | Pinterest Creators Festival 20th October 2021

This past week, I received an Event Invitation Notification via my Pinterest App to attend Pinterest Creators Festival which was held on 20^th October 2021. I am pleased to have attended as it was an inspirational and motivational event filled with exciting new updates for Digital and Social Media Creators.

If you haven’t had the opportunity yet as a Content Creator to start using the platform for your content creation, now is the best time to start.

I’ll be quite honest prior to using the platform, I didn’t think Pinterest was an ideal platform for me to use for the type of content I create (i.e. Entrepreneurship Mindset, Digital and Social Media Content). This was because, I didn't see the benefits I could actualize on the platform as a Content Creator, or fully understand how the platform worked. I also thought it was a platform mainly for Shopping, Leisure and Travel related content only, I've been proven wrong ever since.

I’ve watched Pinterest evolve with time for the better to the platform it is now and there is still more innovative features to come. Pinterest has embraced and recognized Content Creators for the better by introducing New Tools/Features, Events and Communities for like-minded creative people to connect and form communities. What's most important is that they welcome and encourage authenticity, the creation of good quality creation and a positive supportive community as essential core values over vanity matrix’s (likes, comments and engagement).

During the event Pinterest announced that “they are releasing a brand-new suite of products and features to empower creators to create quality content that drives meaningful engagement with their communities.” The new features are intended to help creators content become discoverable and to help build a positive community.

Here are a few developments and New Features from Pinterest:

1. 1. Ideas Pins with Preview Mode and video splitting (multiple pages) features. Creators can preview Idea Pins before publishing. Recommended to use Safe Zones and Preview Mode for quick quality checks before publishing from iOS and Android Phones.

2. 2. Idea Pin Takes which enables creators to connect with their audience/community. For instance, your audience can give their take on your videos by adding their video to your preexisting clips.

You can enable the Takes Features via Advance Settings Menu prior to posting.

3. Shoppable features such as Virtual Try On’s (Before You Buy). The Try On’s feature will be available in US only for the time being. In the U.K. you can only try on lipstick features.

4. Creators Incentives Pinterest will also be incentivizing eligible Creators in due course for their best efforts. There will also be other features which will enable creators the opportunity to earn income for instance through Brand Partnership and Affiliate Marketing Opportunities.

Amazon Associates Integration – From 20^th October 2021, Pinterest has expanded its product tagging tool to include the Amazon Associates Program. “Creators will be able to use affiliate links from Amazon to tag products and earn commission on qualifying purchase.”

5. Merchant Account – did you know that you can setup a merchant account via Pinterest? This is useful if you have a preexisting website with products/services to sell. You will have to upload all your products to an excel format recommended by Pinterest and wait for approval before publishing. The Merchant Account application can be found via your Pinterest Business Hub (desktop).

6. Continuous Music – You can add one song continuously across every video clip, or select different songs via your phone app.

7. New Android Features – multiple text creation, multiple drafts, stickers and much more.

8. New iOS Features – Stickers to include events such as Diwali, World Mental Health Day, Black History Month, and Latinx Heritage Month. Some of these features, may be accessible/limited to only specific countries.

9. A New Home Feed (Browse and Watch Tab) – The Browse Tab is a preexisting feature which has been enhanced further. It is a “For You" Feed similar to the Tiktok For You Page Feature. The Watch Tab is an immersive stream of Idea Pins where you can scroll through, engage with new and relevant content.

“The New Home Feed will enable creators to grow their audience and engagement by providing another Idea Stream from their Idea Pins.”

8. Creator Code – In order to create Idea Pins, Content Creators must “Accept,” the community guidelines. More information can be found via Pinterest Business Suite.

Last but not least checkout the Creators Hub where you will find useful updates, tools, tips and insights to help you with your content creation. You may see the Creator Hub via your Mobile App if you use your Business Account Ideas Pins Feature.