With
more than 10 million users in nine months, Pinterest is credited as the fastest
growing site in history. In June 2012,
31.2 million unique visitors were reported globally – up from 1.2 million
visitors only a year before. Pinterest,
however, still seems to struggle with translating its popularity into profits
and continues to try to find ways to turn profits. At one point, Pinterest was using monetizing links,
but it has since stopped and there are those who question the effects of future
commercialization – at the potential expense of its devoted user-base.
The
decision to nix invites is not necessarily a controversial move. Exclusivity is typical to social networks,
especially upon launch. Google+ made use
of this strategy, as well as popular flash-sale sites like Gilt.com, Ruelala
and Groupon. There are those that view
invites and exclusivity as key components of Pinterest’s marketing strategy –
so we shall see what happens next.
With
Pinterest open to all, another concern is additional copyright concerns. The site has attempted to manage this to date
by giving websites the option of being featured or not. If they opt out, and a Pinterest user tries
to “pin” copyrighted material, he or she receives the following message: “This site doesn’t allow pinning to
Pinterest. Please contact the owner with
any questions. Thanks for visiting.”
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