I signed up for Pinterest awhile back but only jumped on the bandwagon the past month or so. And yep, just like everyone says, it’s fun and addicting.
But I’ve got a pet peeve now… people not using the original source page when pinning.
This includes the following:
1. Uploading NON-original work. That would be any picture you didn’t take or create on your own. If you found it online share where you found it.
2. Pinning the image file and not the page where the image is displayed in context.
3. Pinning a Google Image Search result page.
4. Pinning a content scraper’s page. This one can be a little tricky. If the site is done well, it will look like the original source. If the site is “honest” you will usually see a link at the bottom of the post that says something like “via thissiteoverhere.com” citing the original source.
5. Pinning the main site instead of the permalink. For example, http://wwww.NicholeAnn.com instead of http://www.nicholeann.com/2012/pin-the-source-pinterest/ – This is an easy one to overlook if you are pinning fast. But once the post falls off the front page of a blog others will have a terrible time finding the original post and content surrounding the pinned image.
If you aren’t a blogger or our new I know this can be a confusing but it’s important for a few reasons.
First and foremost, it’s important that we give credit where credit is due. If someone took the time to take a gorgeous photo, write an amazing tutorial with detailed photos, or what have you, the very least we can do is show our love by pinning the blog post or site where they originally published their work. Then maybe they will look at their stats one day, see all that love, and be inspired to post more awesomeness.
Another thing, if you pin something that is pretty freaking cool it’s quite possible the blogger/content creator has posted other cool things. If I can’t click through to their site I’ll never be able to know. So sad.
Finally, it’s very possible that the shrunken down pinned thumbnail doesn’t give as much information as most people want/need. Make it easy for everyone and pin the true source so we can all more efficiently waste our time pinning and repinning.
P.S. it’s also part of the official “Pin Etiquette” list:
Credit Your Sources
Pins are the most useful when they have links back to the original source. If you notice that a pin is not sourced correctly, leave a comment so the original pinner can update the source. Finding the original source is always preferable to a secondary source such as Google Image Search or a blog entry.
I need to look into this further. When I pin something, I am not sure if its the original or not. I always thought it was. I can’t wait for the book pinterest for dummies coming out soon.
Candi recently posted..Top 5 things I want for Valentines Day
I don’t know, I’m going to guess that most of your pins are okay. :) I’ve made mistakes myself though. Like the time I hastily repinned something a stranger pinned only to realize when I clicked on the pin later it took me to a Google Image Search result and the (not original) source page was a spammy porn site! I felt so stupid and embarrassed even though I deleted the pin within a few minutes.
Good points. I’ve tried to find the original source of a pin I especially liked before, and sometimes it can be tricky.
True, it can be really tricky sometimes, especially if it’s a repin. I’ve personally decided not to pin or repin things in the future if I can’t find what looks to be the source.
I have PI but I honestly can’t stand the thing for the fact that when I make my list this is crap I want to and am going to buy so ehhh
Amanda recently posted..I’ve Been Accepted
lol, I get what you are saying. I’ve found a few good blogs via pinterest though.
The articles that are coming out lately is making me rethink how I do pinterest. I always thought I’ve been pinning correctly. The truth is, when I’m out and about running around looking at new websites, I pin the article and picture from what I find because usually there’s a how to make it or a recipe that follows with it, and i use the automatic pinterest browser.
But when I’m on the site, I automatically just repinn things I see not really looking to see if the correct source is identified. Just means I’ll have to pay attention more =)
Jamie recently posted..Healthy Eating Leads to a more Healthy Heart!
Thanks for this! I’ve always linked back to where I re-pinned but henceforth I will need to make sure I go through all those re-pins and find the source of the pin.
I too am only now getting into pinterest. I only pin images I can source and when it comes to repinning, I do my best, but sometimes I can’t find the original, but I want to save the photo for my inspiration…..
Alexis Grace recently posted..Cynthia Rowley F/W 2012 RTW
We can’t control Pinterest anymore than we can control content scrapers or content thieves. I’ve seen more talk lately of the appropriate way to Pin. Too much. Those of us who get it don’t need to be told; those who are doing it ‘wrong’ we can’t control.
I just appreciate that it’s a new visual medium that in the long run, no matter the folks who are doing it wrong, that it is a huge traffic generator and for that I’m simply grateful. That’s all I can be.
blogcomment@creative-culinary.com recently posted..Aperol Spritz – Come With Me to Italy!
Great points. I really hope the pins I have are from the original source. Now I will have to go and check. That might take a while
kewkew recently posted..The Linky Follower Party Hop: Feb 8-Feb 15
Thank you for sharing, i will check here more often .