Pinterest Reports Higher Search Volume than ChatGPT Despite Earnings Dip
Pinterest recently faced challenges in its earnings report for the fourth quarter, sparking CEO Bill Ready to make comparisons with ChatGPT. Despite a dip in financial performance, Ready emphasized that Pinterest attracts a higher search volume than the AI chatbot. He mentioned that Pinterest records approximately 80 billion searches per month, while ChatGPT sees about 75 billion.
Pinterest’s Search Volume Compared to ChatGPT
According to Ready, Pinterest not only has more searches than ChatGPT but also generates 1.7 billion monthly clicks. He highlighted that more than 50% of Pinterest’s searches are commercial in nature, contrasting sharply with ChatGPT’s roughly 2% commercial search rate. This significant difference positions Pinterest as one of the leading search destinations globally.
Fourth Quarter Earnings Breakdown
In its latest earnings report, Pinterest fell short of revenue expectations, reporting $1.32 billion compared to the anticipated $1.33 billion. Earnings per share also disappointed, coming in at 67 cents instead of the expected 69 cents. Looking ahead, Pinterest expects first-quarter 2026 sales to range from $951 million to $971 million, below the $980 million forecast.
Reasons for Shortfall
- Large advertisers reduced spending.
- Challenges in Europe influencing revenue.
- New furniture tariffs causing difficulties in the home category.
These trends could potentially worsen in the upcoming quarter, according to Pinterest’s predictions.
User Growth Amid Earnings Challenges
Despite the earnings shortfall, Pinterest saw a 12% increase in its user base year-over-year, reaching 619 million monthly active users. This exceeded Wall Street’s expectations of 613 million. However, Pinterest shares fell by 20% in after-hours trading following the earnings report.
Navigating the AI Landscape
Prepared for the evolving landscape of AI-powered shopping, Ready discussed Pinterest’s approach to addressing these challenges. He pointed to the platform’s visual search and personalized discovery features. These tools aim to guide users toward relevant products without requiring them to type prompts.
Moreover, Ready revealed that Pinterest’s partnership with Amazon has created a smoother checkout process. He acknowledged that, currently, users are hesitant to let AI handle their purchases but expressed confidence that Pinterest will be prepared as the market evolves.
Conclusion
Pinterest is in a transition period, aiming to leverage its high search volume and user engagement to improve its financial performance. As it navigates the competitive landscape shaped by emerging AI technologies, the focus will remain on enhancing user experience and commercial engagement.
