The Atlantic: Know Your Internet: What Is Pinterest and Why Should I Care?
On the cold, crowded beach that is the Internet, another monster wave has been spotted on the horizon. This wave is called Pinterest and it looks like it could be -- or already is -- the Next Big Thing in social media. This week, Techcrunch blared, "Pinterest Reaches 10 Million U.S. Monthly Uniques Faster Than Any Standalone Site Ever," based on Comscore data. Last week, a study was making the rounds that claimed to show that Pinterest was driving more referral traffic than Google+.
We're getting to that point with Pinterest where (in tech circles at least) it feels awkward to ask what it is even if you're not exactly sure. This is your quick guide to the site.
What is Pinterest?
Pinterest is a social network currently in a loose invitation-only beta. It fits into the category of "visual bookmarking." Like Tumblr (or Ye Olde Delicious), the service uses a browser bookmarklet, which makes it easy to post things from around the Interwebs. Pinterest's user gimmick/interface is that it lets you "pin" any photo from the Internet to a "board" on its site.
Why should I care about Pinterest?
Pinterest has broken out of the pack of new social networks to become a formidable source of traffic, particularly to retail sites. It has a very slick user interface and strong revenue model. And the site has a fascinating demographic breakdown: it's strongest among young women in the center of the country. ...
I actually got hooked on Pinterest this weekend. It is an interesting concept. But I did notice a huge abundance of women with obessissons about clothes, shoes, and food. I'm curious to see in what other ways it might evolve.
(Also see Pinterest: Is It A Facebook Or A Grokster?)
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