Pinterest Has Banned Weight Loss Advertising, Becoming The First Social Network To Do So
"We encourage others in the industry to do the same and acknowledge, once and for all, that there's no such thing as one-size-fits-all."
Pinterest is banning all advertisements with weight loss language and imagery, including ads that idealise or denigrate certain body types. It is the first major Social Media company to commit to banning weight loss and weight-related advertising.
Warning: This article mentions and discusses diet culture and eating disorders. Take care.
In a news post on their website, the company said it would also not allow ads promoting or discussing weight loss or weight loss products, or ads referencing body mass index (BMI) or similar indexes. This policy would come into effect from July 1st, 2021.
“It’s an expansion of our ad policies that have long prohibited body shaming and dangerous weight loss products or claims. We encourage others in the industry to do the same and acknowledge, once and for all, that there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all.”
Pinterest has its problems but they’re apparently banning weight loss ads on their platform and that’s worth celebrating!!! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/W6kF2iIU0A
— Mikey wants a chimi 🔪 (@marquisele) July 2, 2021
So proud that weight loss ads are no longer served @Pinterest.
Even now 8 weeks after giving birth I’m targeted with weight loss ads on other platforms including this one. I was getting them when I was pregnant too.
I hope other platforms can do the same. #bodypositivity pic.twitter.com/bAT3VAR9L0
— Prianka (@prinkletown) July 1, 2021
“This stance makes Pinterest the only major platform to prohibit all weight-loss ads. It’s an expansion of our ad policies that have long prohibited body shaming and dangerous weight loss products or claims. ”
This is not the first time the social media company has implemented policies to combat toxic diet culture and pro-eating disorder content on Pinterest. In 2015, the company blocked searches for this kind of content and directed users to expert organisations.
This most recent policy has been developed in collaboration with the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) in the US. “NEDA is encouraged by this necessary step in prioritizing the mental health and well-being of Pinners, especially those impacted by diet culture, body shaming, and eating disorders,” said Elizabeth Thompson, Interim CEO for the National Eating Disorders Association.
Pinterest has just banned all adverts that reference weight loss, BMI and using before and after pictures idolising a certain body size/shape.
I personally think that’s huge progress and really positive. People are starting to see through diet culture.
— Adam Fare 💙 (@adamfare1996) July 2, 2021
Pinterest is banning all weight loss ad on their app! Love it pic.twitter.com/XuNJIesFKH
— Son of the Rainbow AKA LGBTQ+ CLASS CAPTAIN🏳️🌈 (@Blaise_21) July 2, 2021
Pinterest says advertising that promotes fitness, lifestyle and health-related content will still be permitted. However, the ad content cannot focus on, or mention, weight loss.
By comparison, rival social media Instagram was forced to issue an apology in April of this year after weight loss content was promoted to users with eating disorders. 2020 saw a rise in statistics associated with eating disorders due to various factors associated with the pandemic.
Here’s hoping other social media giants follow suit (looking at you, TikTok). Image via Instagram.