Pinterest is much more than just a visual search engine! This week, the social platform announced that it would be increasing the use of AI and algorithms in its new “body type technology.” His goal: to improve search results to show users more body types…

More inspired users on Pinterest

Today, Pinterest goes even further when it comes to inclusivity. She has introduced new AI technology to ensure there is new fashion inspiration.

Pinterest developed its technology by applying machine learning to more than 5 billion images of people of all shapes and sizes.

Annie Ta, head of Pinterest’s inclusive product team, says her goal is to make users feel like the service celebrates different body types and offers more relevant content.

She explains :

“Our mission is to help people feel inspired, and you can’t feel inspired if you don’t truly feel included in the product experience.”

The new body type technology allows users to search through the algorithm for results that show bodies like theirs, including plus sizes.

A new feature that will surely improve your community management strategy. Also, check out this community management training to develop an effective social media strategy.

Users cannot filter or search by body type as it is a development of back-end technology. Instead, a wider variety of body types are automatically displayed, starting with the top search results.

Especially when users search for images such as makeup, clothing and other inspirational design and fashion ideas, the platform aims to display a wider range of beauty standards in terms of products, design and models.

A significant advance in representation

Pinterest says it worked with a number of outside organizations and experts to develop the new process. To develop this new feature, the social platform reached out to the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA). Tess Holliday, model and size advocate; and Pinterest creators Natalie Craig, Kellie Brown and Stefany Brito.

According to Tigress Osborn, President of NAAFA:

The NAAFA “has been working to protect the rights of fat people and improve the quality of life for people with larger bodies for over 50 years.” she knows “That social media spaces can be particularly difficult for tall people”.

“When you don’t feel represented, it’s hard to feel inspired,” Pinterest said.

This could therefore represent a significant advance in terms of representation in search results. And since many people turn to Pinterest for fashion inspiration, this could result in a much more flattering and realistic representation of items on the app.

Transforming public perceptions of body size and shape

A study conducted last year This was the result of a study by the Berkeley Media Studies Group Popular media had published more than 18,000 weight loss articles over the course of 12 months, but only 48 anti-fat articles. Even ultra-thin or stocky people don’t have it easy.

Pinterest’s Osborn and Ta hope that by promoting more diverse body types among its 465 million monthly users, the platform can help change public perceptions of body size and shape.

According to Annie Ta, head of Pinterest’s inclusive product team:

“By meeting more people from different backgrounds, we hope to build a more tolerant world.”

Pinterest’s diversity algorithms come into play in search results and other places. They identify the most relevant Pins to show to a given user, but also swap out a selection of Pins with the same relevance score that represent different body types or skin tones.

According to Pinterest, the number of fashion-related searches for different body types increased 454% in the second quarter compared to a year ago as the company began rolling out the technology in the US.

Currently, only people in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand benefit from body type-aware AI curation. Although the technology can impact organizations around the world, its expansion to other countries is subject to local cultural norms and laws.