Random Pinterest Annoyances
If you’re like a lot of the people on Pinterest, you’ve formed some strong opinions about the right way to use this social media platform. You’ve spent hours (or maybe weeks or months) pinning, so you have a pretty good idea of what to do or not do. (By the way, if you’re using Pinterest for a startup, here are some first steps.) These are some of my completely grouchy and random thoughts.
Using the Wrong Description
Maybe we should be happy that most spammers are so lazy that they use one picture and a completely unrelated caption underneath it. But that gets pretty old on Pinterest. For instance, a picture of a purse and underneath: “EARN MA$$IVE INCOME FROM INTERNET CALL ME NOW I MAKE $38,000 FIRST WEEK. MY BROTHER IN LAW CANNOT BELIEVE IT”
Taking Credit for Original Artwork
Taking Credit for Original Artwork
Pinterest has gotten pretty good about telling people to take down pins when the owner requests it. So please don’t take my pin. I’m not seeing this happen much any more, but when it does, it’s still annoying.
Spam on Shared Boards
When you (that is, I) go to a shared board all excited and then realize that it’s nothing but spam, that is the definition of disappointment. Yes, it is.
Stealing My Soul
Do not swoop in and steal all my pins without changing a single word. It’s creepy when I visit your board and every single picture and every single caption mirrors mine. Sheesh. Use some of your own ideas. What do you like about the pins? Say that.
Items with No Description
While we’re at it, why do people post things and then just put a period (.) underneath them? Doesn’t that drive you crazy? Huffington Post has a pretty good list of what not to do on Pinterest, too.
No Way to Search Your Own Pins
As Vanessa Van Edwards says in her article “Why Pinterest Will Not Be the Next Facebook,” scrolling to find that perfect taco recipe just takes too long. It’s easier to use Google.
You’ve Been There
What annoys you? Did I leave anything out?
I didn’t think about changing the descriptions of the pins when repinning. I viewed it more as a caption and less as a comment.
Maybe Pinterest should default without a description.
This made me think.
Thanks.
Hi Bridget,
Well, it can be a caption. People put all kinds of things there. Their own websites, tags to their friends, jokes, comments on the content. My captions recently aim at giving more info to the person reading. For instance, if you click on the pin what else will you discover, and is it worthwhile? People say they don’t like pins that “go nowhere,” and I can’t blame them!
So that space under a pin is a place to give a full description, make a joke, etc. Sometimes the captions are so good that I leave them in place (especially on the Kitteh board).
Thanks for commenting! I appreciate it!
Carol
I had this marketing company hijack the group board that I created by posting more pins each time I pin something. I noticed a patter to what they’re doing in my board. I effect they are burying my pin down the board. I removed them eventually.
Good tip on the caption. It does not only help other pinners but also me to figure out later why I liked and re-pinned it. I also make it a point to trace those that shared my own content and thank them.
Hi Ruby,
If it’s your group board, you get to make the rules! Good for you for removing that unscrupulous pinner.
The comments provides information, and also lets you be found by people searching on Pinterest.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Carol