Every month, over 150 million users log in to Pinterest to find inspiration on topics that serve their interest.
It goes without saying, Pinterest is one of the busiest social networking sites out there. It’s become everyone’s personal digital vision board, and it has given us all access to an endless amount of inspirational content.
Pinterest has always centered their algorithm around their users’ interests. In line with this, they recently launched a new search feature called Pinterest Lens that’s going to make finding relevant content a lot easier.
Pinterest Lens is a discovery tool that allows you to capture images and use them to find pins more intuitively. This new feature is bound to change the way users find content on the platform based on their immediate needs and surroundings.
Learn more about this groundbreaking new feature and find out how you can use it to take your Pinterest marketing game to a whole new level.
What is Pinterest Lens?
The idea behind Pinterest Lens is to help users find content (or pins) by using snapshots of real life objects. The new feature uses visual search technology to help you find the most relevant pins based on the image you upload.
Image credit: TechCrunch
This new feature will help users find inspiration from the everyday object that are already in their immediate surroundings. Google’s own Google Assistant uses the same technology to help users make more accurate search inquiries using the cameras on their phone.
One major selling point Pinterest Lens has for brands is its ability to assist users in all aspects of their buying experience. Brands such as yours can use this new tool to increase their visibility for highly-targeted users who are most likely already interested in what you have to offer.
Pinterest Lens is now available worldwide and can be used through an updated version of their app.
Our Experience
Pinterest boasts that their new search feature will help users find the most relevant pins by doing less. We wanted to see whether or not this new feature is really as accurate as it claims to be.
We uploaded five images to Pinterest using the Lens feature and were surprised to find that they were able to provide us with relevant results in four out of four cases. Check out our findings below.
Experiment 1: Corgi Plush
We uploaded a photo of an unsuspecting corgi plush onto Pinterest and were surprised to see that although they got the animal species wrong, they were able to give us relevant pins about DIY plushies as well as pins from companies selling plushies. There are a lot of plushies to go around on Pinterest.
Experiment 2: Tech
Out of all the images we uploaded through Pinterest Lens, this tied for the the most accurate results. Pinterest was able to pull up the exact same model from an endless number of similar-looking images of computer mice (although it also came up with the tags “red” and “tomatoes”).
We can see how this could be very helpful for someone trying to find a replacement for an existing item they have, especially if that item doesn’t have a label.
Experiment 3: Book
We uploaded an image of Haruki Murakami’s ‘After Dark’ and were surprised to get quite accurate search results despite our blurry shot. It’s worth mentioning that we did have to retake the photo for this experiment because our first attempt gave us random pins about Jenga.
Despite that, it’s apparent Pinterest will be a useful tool for those hunting down book titles and recommendations.
Experiment 4: Beauty
Beauty junkies rejoice because Pinterest was able to pull up a vast pool of data based on the image of a popular Korean skin care product we uploaded. Most of the pins we saw came from companies selling the actual product, which is great news for business owners wanting to gain more attention on Pinterest.
How do you use Pinterest Lens?
Pinterest Lens is now available to all mobile users worldwide, you just need to have the updated app installed on your device. Once you’ve updated the app, you can start enjoying their groundbreaking new search technology with just a few clicks.
Go to the Explore Tab
To access Pinterest Lens, you need to go to the Explore tab by clicking on the magnifying glass button found at the bottom of your screen.
Click on the Red Camera Button
Once on the Explore tab, you need to click on the red camera button right beside the search bar. It will prompt you to grant Pinterest access to your camera and camera roll.
Image credit: Business Insider
You only have to do this once and if you ever want to make any changes to this permission in the future, you can do so by going to your phone’s settings.
Focus and Snap
After setting all the necessary information, you can start snapping photos and uploading them to Pinterest. Make sure the object you’re capturing is in the middle of the circle.
Image credit: Business Insider
You can pinch the screen to zoom in and out, and tap on the object in order to get the camera to focus.
Search Using Images on Your Phone
Pinterest can also access photos and screenshots of images that are stored in your camera roll. You can access those images by clicking on the bottom right of the screen. Make sure to crop the image so the object you want to capture is in the center of the circle.
Instant Ideas
Image credit: Business Insider
You can also start searching using the template images. These template images, also known as Instant Ideas, can be accessed by clicking on the images found on the bottom left of the screen.
What can you use Pinterest Lens for?
This new feature is designed to make search easier and more intuitive. The idea behind it is to help users find pins and content that are most useful to them and what they’re trying to accomplish on the internet.
Image credit: Business Insider
Users no longer have to worry about making vague or lengthy search inquiries, they now have a solid chance of finding what they need to find just by taking a picture. And no doubt the technology will improve and become more accurate.
Those looking for recipes can simply take a photo of the ingredient they have on hand in order to unearth delicious dishes. Find replacement parts for items without labels, or easy book recommendations based on your own collection. Pinterest is one of the best platforms to find useful content in niches such as food & drinks, DIY & crafts, home décor, and holidays & events, and this new feature makes it even better.
If you’re an avid pinner or a marketer who loves uploading your original images, your posts now have better chances of reaching the right people with Pinterest Lens.
Using the new feature along with a solid content marketing strategy should help you establish your presence on Pinterest much more easily. To further strengthen your social proof on the platform, you should consider buying high-quality Pinterest Followers from a tried and tested provider.
A respectable amount of followers will make you appear more credible, thus helping you attract more authentic users. When people see how popular you are, they’ll have to click over and check you out – it’s human nature.
How Can My Brand Benefit from Pinterest Lens?
With the rapid advancements in search technology, there’s a need for brands and marketers to step up their game and further strengthen their credibility online.
You should make sure everything you publish online is optimized to its fullest potential to gain maximum visibility. Rethink your current content marketing strategy to stay competitive.
You should also consider buying yourself a good amount of high-quality Pinterest Followers from a reputable provider to boost your credibility even more. Combine these with a great strategy and you’ll be unstoppable.
Social media is fast-changing game, and you need to develop an agile marketing strategy to help you stay relevant. Missing out on the next big thing could cost you!
