Pinterest expands collage capabilities

On September 24, 2024, Pinterest announced the launch of two significant updates to its collage tool, expanding creative possibilities for its user base of over 500 million. The new features, collage remixing and collage sharing, aim to foster collaboration and facilitate broader distribution of user-generated content across social media platforms.

Collage Remixing: A New Era of Collaborative Creativity

Pinterest's collage remixing feature allows users to build upon existing collages, using them as templates or starting points for their own creative endeavors. This collaborative approach not only simplifies the collage creation process but also encourages users to draw inspiration from and interact with content created by others on the platform.

According to David Temple, Head of Two Twenty, Pinterest's in-house incubator responsible for developing collages, "Collages are Pinterest's most dynamic and interactive format, so we're excited to continue to scale and innovate in that area." Temple further noted the significant adoption rate, stating that "Collages are saved at significantly higher rates than other Pin types, and we're seeing that users, particularly Gen Z, love creating collages as a way to express themselves."

The introduction of collage remixing comes at a time when Pinterest is experiencing substantial growth in collage usage. Since the beginning of 2024, the number of collages on the platform has increased by 418%. Users have been employing collages for various purposes, including planning outfits, building beauty routines, creating aesthetic mood boards, and designing dream living spaces.

Enhanced Sharing Capabilities

The new collage sharing feature addresses the growing trend of users showcasing their Pinterest creations on other social media platforms. This update enables users to convert their static collages into dynamic video formats, which can be easily downloaded and shared across various social networks.

By facilitating the export of collages as videos, Pinterest is positioning itself as a hub for content creation that extends beyond its own platform. This move could potentially increase Pinterest's visibility and user engagement across the broader social media landscape.

Technical Details and User Controls

The collage remixing feature includes several technical aspects designed to enhance user experience and protect content creators:

1. Remix discovery: Users can find collages to remix through a dedicated "Remix a collage" card option in the collage tool or by tapping a "Remix" button on collages they encounter while browsing.
2. Attribution system: When a user creates a remix, the original collage and its creator are automatically tagged at the bottom, ensuring proper credit is given.
3. Remix settings: Content creators have control over whether their collages can be remixed by others, with the option to toggle remixing on or off at any time.

Implementation and Availability

The collage remixing feature is now globally available on both iOS and Android devices wherever Pinterest is accessible. The company has provided detailed instructions for users on how to create collages, remix existing ones, and share their creations:

1. To create a collage:
   • Tap the + icon at the bottom of the screen and select "Collage"
   • Choose to start a new collage, find one to remix, or access existing drafts
   • Add cutouts from Pins, search results, or personal uploads
   • Customize with text, drawings, or background colors
   • Publish as a Pin or save as a draft
2. To remix a collage:
   • Access the collage tool and select "Remix a collage"
   • Choose a collage and tap "Remix"
   • Edit by swapping cutouts, adding elements, or changing the design
   • Publish the remix, which will display the original creator's username
3. To share a collage:
   • Navigate to the desired collage
   • Tap the "..." menu and select "Download collage"
   • Choose the preferred format and download
   • Share the video on other social media platforms
   • For Instagram Stories, use the "Link" sticker to include the collage URL

Impact on User Engagement and Content Creation

The introduction of these features aligns with Pinterest's strategy to increase user engagement and content creation on its platform. By enabling users to build upon each other's work and share their creations more widely, Pinterest aims to foster a more interactive and dynamic user experience.

Temple's statement that collages are "saved at significantly higher rates than other Pin types" suggests that this format is particularly engaging for users. The new features could potentially amplify this trend, leading to increased time spent on the platform and higher rates of content creation and sharing.

Key Facts

• Announcement date: September 24, 2024
• New features: Collage remixing and collage sharing
• User base: Over 500 million Pinterest users worldwide
• Collage growth: 418% increase in collages since the beginning of 2024
• Target audience: All users, with particular appeal to Gen Z
• Availability: Global release on iOS and Android devices
• Key functionality: Remix existing collages, convert collages to shareable videos