Why Pinterest is Addictive

Rising Popularity:

From September 2011 to February 2012, the amount of monthly unique visits to Pinterest grew by over 866%

A average Pinterest user spends around 98 minutes per month, as compared to 150 minutes on Tumblr and 420 minutes on Facebook

Reasons behind the Addiction:

Design – Pinterest’s website design is very simple, and it allows users to easily scroll through content with minimal effort and distraction. Images take up most of the space in order to keep users’ attention and comments and repins are neatly placed under images.

Critical Mass – The boards on Pinterest serve internet users’ addiction to finding and hoarding images and content. Pinterest relies on users to create content and as more is generated, more users frequent the site.

Refuge – Many Facebook and Twitter users have turned to Pinterest in order to find refuge from relationship statuses, vacation photos, etc. Users can also be free to do the things they like on Pinterest without worrying about personal content or privacy questions.

Accessible – With the browser plug-in, Pinterest is easily accessible. Unlike Facebook and Twitter in which you must access the website in order to post content, the ‘Pin-it’ button will pin your content for you.

Popularity – Pinterest users have the potential to become social media famous. New pins are placed on the front page and with access to a Facebook account you can add your friends to join.

Trying New Things – The image boards on Pinterest encourage users to desire to be more creative. Users come back because they want to find something new to try and it makes them excited.