| Last week Pinterest officially banned ads with weight loss imagery and language. "According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), there's been a steep rise in unhealthy eating habits and eating disorders in young people since the COVID-19 pandemic started last year," the company wrote in the announcement. As many youths use Pinterest to plan their summers, this move helps them focus on summer fun. Almost 75% of Pinterest users are women and 32% are 18-29 years old, according to data from Statista. This makes Pinterest the first major social media platform to ban weight loss ads, an expansion of previous policies that prohibited body shaming and dangerous weight loss claims. The expanded ad ban means the following are now also prohibited: - Any weight loss language or imagery;
- Any testimonials regarding weight loss or weight loss products;
- Any language or imagery that idealizes or denigrates certain body types;
- Referencing Body Mass Index (BMI) or similar indexes; and
- Any products that claim weight loss through something worn or applied to the skin
Ads that promote fitness services, healthy habits, and healthy lifestyles will NOT be a part of this ban as long as the focus of the ad is not weight loss. Why we care. Many businesses have yet to tap the power of Pinterest for their own marketing. However, 82% of active users on Pinterest say they've been influenced to buy products based on the brand's content on the platform. Pinterest has been expanding its ads options recently and is providing more tools for creators and influencers. This ad ban is another opportunity they've taken to protect their community and listen to their target market. | 
