Pinterest Revolutionizes Shopping with Its AI 'Ask Pinterest'

Pinterest Innovates with an AI Shopping App

Pinterest recently announced the launch of an experimental app called "Ask Pinterest." This initiative aims to explore a new way of approaching online shopping by integrating a conversational dimension into product discovery. This app could eventually be integrated into Pinterest's main application. In parallel, Pinterest also unveiled other AI-related projects, including the Pinterest Model Context Protocol (MCP) for advertisers, as well as various AI-based advertising tools.

This strategic announcement comes just ahead of the prestigious Cannes Lions event, an annual gathering of the advertising industry. This year, the focus is on how AI can meet the expectations of advertisers and marketers, highlighting the growing importance of this technology in the sector.

An App that Leverages the "Taste Graph"

The "Ask Pinterest" app allows Pinterest to leverage its "Taste Graph," a sophisticated mapping of users' interests and aesthetic preferences. For now, this app is available in a limited capacity, according to the information provided by the company.

The goal of this experiment is to extend Pinterest's characteristic visual discovery experience into a conversational interface. Users will be able to ask questions in natural language to receive more personalized recommendations and inspiration, thereby enriching their shopping experience.

Competing with Tech Giants

Pinterest's initiative comes at a time when AI-powered chatbots are becoming serious competitors to traditional search engines. Google, for example, is already using AI to help consumers find products, track prices, and complete their purchases. Companies like ChatGPT, Meta, and Shopify are also exploring similar solutions for online shopping.

Rather than simply providing product recommendations to other AI services through licensing, Pinterest has chosen to rely on its own data to develop its AI models and enhance its products.

A Standalone App for Targeted Experimentation

By launching Ask Pinterest as a standalone app, Pinterest gives itself the opportunity to experiment with this new technology without disrupting the user experience of its main application. This approach allows for testing complex or multi-step queries that would not be suitable for traditional searches on Pinterest.

For example, the app could be used to plan a dinner or gradually furnish a room. The idea is to see how AI can enhance the shopping experience while maintaining user context across multiple sessions.

Integration of User Data

Ask Pinterest also has the capability to draw on the Pins and Boards saved by users to personalize responses. This feature allows for even more relevant recommendations based on the preferences already expressed by users.

Over time, the results of these experiments could enable Pinterest to develop even richer AI-enhanced experiences for its main application.

New Tools for Advertisers

In parallel with the announcement of Ask Pinterest, Pinterest introduced updates for marketers, including a beta AI assistant in its Ads Manager in the United States. A new AI model, Performance+ creative, has also been rolled out globally to help advertisers optimize their ad creations.

The MCP infrastructure announced by Pinterest will allow advertisers to manage and monitor their campaigns in a standardized way using third-party tools.

A Vision for the Future of Discovery

In a statement, Pinterest's Chief Commercial Officer, Lee Brown, emphasized that web search is evolving. According to him, "the future of discovery will not be solely driven by keywords, but by context, taste, and trusted recommendations." Brown asserted that Pinterest has a "unique advantage" in this area.

Currently, Ask Pinterest is available to a limited number of users via the web, accessible on both mobile and desktop.