Pinterest Tests Virtual Class Communities with Zoom Integration
Pinterest is venturing into the online events space by testing a new feature that enables users to sign up for Zoom classes directly through its platform. The experiment, discovered by reverse engineer Jane Manchun Wong, allows creators to organize class materials, notes, and resources using Pinterest boards—while also offering group chat functionality for attendee interaction.
How Pinterest’s Class Communities Work
- Discoverability: Demo profiles like @pinsmeditation and @pinzoom123 showcase placeholder Class Communities, though they remain non-functional during testing.
- Creator Tools: Once live, creators can:
- Curate class materials (e.g., supply lists, notes, photos)
- Provide event descriptions and overviews
- Link to related shops or initiate group discussions
- User Experience: Attendees can:
- Book classes via a dedicated button
- Receive email confirmations with Zoom meeting details
- Access prompts to download Zoom or copy meeting links
Why Pinterest Is Expanding into Virtual Events
The move aligns with Pinterest’s surge in utility during the COVID-19 pandemic, where educators and users increasingly relied on the platform for:
- Remote learning resource organization
- Lesson plan inspiration
- Educational activity sharing
Growth Metrics:
- Record-breaking engagement in March 2020, with historic highs in searches and saves
- Q3 2020 revenue of \(443M (beating \)383.5M estimates)
- 442M monthly active users (exceeding 436.4M projections)
Drivers included international adoption, iOS 14 home screen customization trends, and advertiser shifts from Facebook.
The Future of Pinterest’s Online Events
While Pinterest confirmed the feature is in development, no official launch timeline was provided. A spokesperson noted:
“We are experimenting with ways to help creators interact more closely with their audience.”
Given Pinterest’s iterative approach—seen previously with Story Pins (tested in June, launched September)—a public rollout could occur in early 2021. The feature positions Pinterest to capitalize on sustained demand for virtual experiences as the pandemic prolongs hybrid learning and event models.
Image Credit: Pinterest screenshot via Jane Manchun Wong
