Pinterest now open to all

The social media and image based networking site Pinterest has changed its policy and has moved from being an invitation only service to being open to all.

With Pinterest, users can 'pin' images, which they either upload or find elsewhere on the Internet, and crate virtual pin 'boards'. The idea has proved to be very popular, with millions of pin boards created. In June 2012 the site attracted over thirty million unique visitors, according to the BBC. It is uncertain, however, whether Pinterest is profitable and if, as suspected it is not, how it will generate revenue. When Pinterest was first launched users could only join by being invited. The site has no changed its policy and is now open to all. The tactic is similar to the one used by Google with its 'Google +' networking. PC Advisor quotes from a press statement from Pinterest which reads "We're thrilled to announce open registration. For those of you who haven't joined Pinterest yet, this means you can sign up without waiting for an invite ... In addition to using your Facebook or Twitter login, we're also opening registration so you can sign up with just your email address." The change of policy probably means that the level of advertising will increase. This follows on from a recent $100 million investment from the Japanese internet retailing giant Rakuten. How users will feel about this is uncertain as the site changes from a relatively exclusive 'club' to something more 'mainstream' is uncertain. Pinterest, as the Digital Journal has reported, has a user base which has a high proportion of women users unlike many other social networks. In the meantime, the owners of Pinterest see the change as necessary for the sites continuing success.