Pinterest completes their list of already banned weight loss related ads as National Eating Disorders Association’s data shows a steep rise in unhealthy eating patterns during the pandemic and Pinners embrace radical self-acceptance.
National Eating Disorders Association helpline has reported they experienced a 40% increase in call volume in 2020 that were related to mental health and eating disorder struggles compared to the year before. In light of that data combined with more recent trends on Pinterest, the platform has updated its policies, prohibiting all ads related to weight loss imagery and language.
Pinterest also showcased a trend in searches, which supports the radical self-acceptance movement of body-neutrality:
“Healthy mindset quotes” searches are up x13 from previous year,
“Body neutrality” and “stop body shaming quotes” are up 5x,
Body acceptance quotes are up 7x, and
“self-love illustration art” has increased 63x.
To bring more focus to the trend, Pinterest will be featuring Idea Pins from creators around the world on the Today Tab all week to showcase them “reimagining the relationship with their bodies.”
Pinterest has been stepping up as a fierce advocate for brand and consumer safety. Their efforts were recently recognized from brands’ side as TAG awarded Pinterest with a brand safety certificate, which required the platform to meet rigorous standards. Other Pinterest’s recent efforts in the realm include joining the Global Alliance for Responsible Media near the end of 2020, and launching a dedicated Brand Safety Hub that outlines the platform’s multi-year efforts to keep making Pinterest a safe place for brands.
To encourage others in the industry to join the movement towards brand and consumer safety, Pinterest is emphasizing the importance of appropriate policy-making by communicating their own timeline of action and commitment to future steps.