Since its inception, Pinterest has been the social media platform used to spark creativity, give inspiration and allow for people to explore niche interests and aesthetics. In 2011, Pinterest received a surge of attention and since then has remained a top ten social network. It has gone through many changes in popularity but has stereotypically remained a staple in the hearts of teen girls, moms, and millennial women. These stereotypes held by people on Pinterest and its users has had a big influence on how it has been viewed as a media platform.

Pinterest became a social phenomenon in 2012, and since then, it has become almost synonymous with the early 2010’s aesthetic. One may say that this makes Pinterest seem outdated, but the site, as any other social media platform does, continues to evolve with the trends and interests of the user. As the trend cycle continues to change quicker, social media apps need to continuously evolve to keep up, and many find Pinterest to be a product of its time. This led to a downfall of Pinterest usage and it declining in the social sphere, but there have always been communities and aesthetics that thrive on the app. Since its decline in the mid 2010’s, Pinterest hadn’t seen any significant spike in popularity until recently in 2021 when it suddenly regained its spot as a star in the social media world.

Now Pinterest is everywhere and is used as a way to explore any interest.  Many trends and aesthetics have been popularized and defined through Pinterest. Users can create boards with each image being chosen to explore the aesthetic they want to convey, it is an app that thrives on creativity and vision of its users. The browse page then chooses to show the user images based on their past pins and customizes the app based on the users liking. It serves as a way for people to see more ideas on the styles and aesthetics they enjoy and want to emulate. This can grow their personal style through the app. Some people choose to cultivate the aesthetic of their boards almost religiously and find it therapeutic to look through and choose images that fit the look they are going for. This can create communities within the app of people with similar styles, goals, and personal tastes.

Some aspects of the app have been criticized, like the fact that most of the style pins are of women who fit the beauty standard. Women outside of the conventional, thin and white, beauty standard can struggle to find themselves represented within the app. Many of the aesthetics themselves, like cottegecore and coquette, only really show these conventionally beautiful women in pins of the aesthetic. Women outside of this societal standard, who want to take part in the style can feel ostracized. But the nature of the app allows for anyone to post and this has allowed for women of color and plus size women to create their own communities within the aesthetic and even enter into the mainstream.

Something else that has called for criticism is the cultural appropriation that can take place within various aesthetics. This has been seen recently with the rise of the “catholic or mexican girl” aesthetic that glorifies and commodifies aspects of people’s culture. Pinterest in this case can be a reflection of society and how social media can show some of the issues within society. Most Pinterest users are people who are more fortunate and this reflects what is shown and popular on the app.

Pinterest in recent years has continued to be more inclusive and welcoming. The app has banned weight loss ads and is making steps with positive progress to get rid of the bias felt in society. People of color have started to feel more included within spaces and communities in the app, and overall it is a form of social media free from the high levels of toxicity that are seen on platforms like Instagram and Tik Tok. It is a way for people to express their creativity and explore their unique interests. Pintreset can be a vibrant expression of individuality, people’s desires and what they find beautiful. In truth, Pinterest is an app that is still a reflection of society and with that comes drawbacks and negative aspects, but is also a way for people to express beauty in a time when the world can be filled with negativity.