Bill Ready, CEO of Pinterest, discussed on March 25 a new approach for the platform that aims to move away from algorithms designed to maximize attention and outrage. Instead, Ready said Pinterest is focusing on building a model based on positivity, usefulness, and the well-being of its users.
This topic matters as concerns about social media’s impact on mental health and public discourse have grown. Many platforms have faced criticism for relying on algorithms that prioritize content likely to provoke strong emotional reactions, which can contribute to negativity online.
Ready questioned whether success in social media requires relying on outrage-driven engagement. He said his goal is to create an environment where users benefit from positive interactions rather than being drawn into toxic cycles.
“What if social media didn’t have to run on outrage to succeed? That’s a question on the mind of Bill Ready, CEO of Pinterest, who is on a mission to reorient the platform away from the attention-maximizing algorithms that have fueled toxicity across the industry, and toward a model rooted in positivity, utility, and user well-being,” Ready said.
As more companies consider changes in their approach to online engagement, observers will be watching how Pinterest’s efforts develop and what impact they may have across the industry.
