- Pinterest was created in December 2009 and launched in beta in March 2010.
- The platform grew rapidly thanks to its visual format, unique search, and creative communities.
- Major milestones include its public launch, IPO in 2019, and AI-driven updates in 2023–2025.
- Pinterest continues to evolve as a visual search engine and shopping discovery platform.
Pinterest has become a visual search powerhouse and a beloved inspiration hub for users across the world. But when exactly was Pinterest created, and how did it evolve into the global platform we know today? Let’s take a look at the full history and timeline of Pinterest from its inception to 2025.
The Birth of Pinterest: 2009–2010
Pinterest was officially created in December 2009 by Ben Silbermann, Paul Sciarra, and Evan Sharp. The platform began as a closed beta in March 2010 and was first introduced to a small group of users. Initially, Pinterest wasn’t open to the public. You needed an invitation to join, making early users feel like part of an exclusive creative club.
The idea behind Pinterest came from Ben Silbermann’s passion for collecting. He wanted to build a tool where people could organize and share what inspired them, whether it was home decor, fashion ideas, recipes, or travel plans. The result was a visual pinboard platform that allowed users to curate content into themed collections.
Early Growth and Public Launch (2011–2012)
Despite its quiet launch, Pinterest experienced organic growth thanks to word-of-mouth, blog referrals, and its visual nature. People loved the idea of pinning inspiration, and bloggers began embedding pins into their content. This early community gave Pinterest the momentum it needed to grow.
By 2011, Pinterest was named one of the “50 Best Websites” by Time Magazine. It surpassed 10 million unique visitors faster than any other standalone site in history. In August 2012, Pinterest finally opened its doors to the public no invite required.
- March 2010: Pinterest enters closed beta.
- August 2011: 1 million users reached.
- December 2011: Ranked in Time’s “50 Best Websites.”
- August 2012: Pinterest goes public.
Pinterest’s Monetization and Mobile Push (2013–2016)
After opening to the public, Pinterest began to focus on monetization and enhancing the user experience, especially on mobile. The company released apps for Android and iOS, which significantly increased user engagement.
During this time, Pinterest rolled out features like Rich Pins, which display more information directly on a pin, and Promoted Pins, allowing businesses to advertise their content in users’ feeds.
- 2013: Rich Pins and Pinterest Analytics launched.
- 2014: Promoted Pins beta for advertisers.
- 2015: Buyable Pins introduced to support eCommerce.
- 2016: Pinterest Lens announced for visual search.
Pinterest Becomes a Search Engine (2017–2019)
Pinterest’s identity continued to evolve from a social network into a full-fledged visual search engine. The introduction of Pinterest Lens allowed users to take photos and find similar pins instantly creating an entirely new way to discover content.
In 2019, Pinterest filed for an IPO and went public in April, trading under the ticker symbol PINS. This marked a new era for the company, emphasizing its business model and long-term growth strategy.
- 2017: Pinterest Lens launches to the public.
- 2018: Full-screen video ads and shopping features expanded.
- April 2019: Pinterest IPO on the NYSE.
Pinterest During the Pandemic (2020–2022)
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in Pinterest usage. People spent more time at home and turned to Pinterest for cooking, fitness, home improvement, and mental wellness inspiration. This helped users to increase Pinterest followers easily.
To support this new demand, Pinterest introduced Story Pins, Idea Pins, and expanded its Creator tools. These updates encouraged content creation directly on the platform.
- 2020: Story Pins and Creator tools introduced.
- 2021: Creator Fund launched to support underrepresented groups.
- 2022: Pinterest TV and live shopping events begin.
From Discovery Tool to Shopping Destination (2023–2025)
As of 2023, Pinterest began shifting toward becoming an integrated shopping experience. The platform enhanced its shoppable pins, built partnerships with major eCommerce brands, and implemented advanced AI-driven recommendation engines.
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Pinterest has also embraced the creator economy with better monetization tools, affiliate links, and sponsored content opportunities. By 2025, Pinterest supports real-time video content, augmented reality (AR) shopping, and collaborative boards for group planning.
- 2023: AI tools for personal recommendations.
- 2024: Group boards and real-time pin collaboration.
- 2025: AR shopping and creator monetization at scale.
Why Pinterest Remains Relevant
Pinterest’s long-term success lies in its ability to continuously adapt. Unlike short-form viral platforms, Pinterest offers evergreen content that remains searchable and useful over time.
Here’s why users and marketers continue to rely on Pinterest.
- SEO-friendly content: Pins rank on Google.
- Long content lifespan: Pins stay relevant for years.
- Creative inspiration: Best for niche hobbies and interests.
- Cross-category usage: Food, design, fashion, planning, travel.
- Growth in Gen Z usage: Younger audiences using Pinterest for aesthetic planning.
From Beta to Global Discovery Engine
Pinterest began in 2010 as a small beta project and is now one of the most valuable discovery platforms in the world. With over 465 million monthly active users, Pinterest is more than a visual board it’s a search engine, shopping platform, and creative ecosystem all rolled into one.
Whether you’re building a business, designing a room, or planning your future, Pinterest continues to be the go-to destination for ideas and innovation.
