Pinterest Gives Users Power to Filter Out AI-Generated Content

Pinterest has started rolling out^[1] new controls that let users limit how much artificial intelligence–generated imagery appears in their feeds, responding to growing frustration over the spread of what users have called “AI slop.”

The platform, long known for its collection of inspirational images and shopping ideas, said the feature is designed to restore balance between human creativity and algorithmic production. It comes after months of complaints that generative AI visuals were crowding out authentic content across categories like fashion, beauty, and home décor.

New Settings to “Dial Down” AI

Users will now find a “Refine your recommendations” section in the Pinterest settings menu, where they can choose to see less AI-generated content within certain categories. The company said more options will be added later based on user feedback. The feature is currently available on Android and desktop, with an iOS rollout expected in the coming weeks.

Pinterest’s new system expands on its earlier effort to identify synthetic media through labels such as “AI-modified.” Those labels appear when the company detects AI-generated metadata or when its automated systems flag likely synthetic images. The latest update makes these labels more visible and gives people direct control over how much of this material appears on their feed.

Responding to User Backlash

For months, online forums and media coverage have chronicled frustration among Pinterest users who say their feeds have been flooded with artificial visuals that often misrepresent design ideas or fashion trends. Analysts have warned that if the issue persists, it could harm Pinterest’s credibility and weaken the sense of discovery that keeps users returning.

Academic estimates cited by the company suggest that AI-generated material now makes up more than half of all online content, roughly 57 percent. That rapid shift has made it increasingly difficult to distinguish between human-made and machine-produced visuals.

Matt Madrigal, Pinterest’s chief technology officer, said the new tools are meant to help people “personalize their experience” and find inspiration that feels genuine. He described the move as part of a broader effort to ensure the platform remains a space where creativity, not automation, drives engagement.

The Challenge of Detection

Even with the new filters, Pinterest acknowledges that identifying AI content is far from simple. Synthetic images can lose their identifying metadata when edited or screenshotted, making it harder for automated systems to detect them. While the new controls can reduce the visibility of such images, they cannot eliminate them entirely.

Pinterest also allows users to give direct feedback as they browse. If a Pin seems inauthentic or unappealing, users can open the three-dot menu to mark it as AI-related, which further refines future recommendations.

A Broader Industry Dilemma

Pinterest’s move highlights a wider dilemma faced by social platforms: balancing the growing role of generative AI with users’ desire for real, human-made material. While many companies continue to promote AI tools that let people generate their own digital artwork or profile images, the backlash suggests not everyone wants to see these creations taking over their feeds.

For Pinterest, the update is both a defensive and strategic step, aiming to protect the platform’s distinctive appeal while acknowledging that AI-generated content is here to stay. By giving users the choice to filter it, the company hopes to keep its visual catalog a place of authentic discovery rather than algorithmic noise.

Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.

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