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Pinterest shares tumble on stiff ad competition, tariff-driven pressures

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 7:46 GMT by reuters.com
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Ad‑market headwinds

In a press release issued after the company’s latest earnings, Pinterest reported that its advertising revenue rose by only 4 % in the most recent quarter, a far cry from the 15 % growth analysts had expected. The figure came on a backdrop of a broader digital‑ad slowdown that has been driven by higher interest rates, inflationary concerns and a shift in consumer behavior away from online shopping in the wake of the COVID‑19 pandemic.

“We’re seeing a tighter ad spend environment, especially for performance‑based advertising,” said Ben Silbermann, Pinterest’s CEO, in a brief statement. “The competitive pressure from Meta and TikTok is significant, and advertisers are re‑allocating budgets to platforms that deliver higher conversion rates.”

The company's flagship “Promoted Pins” segment, which generates the bulk of Pinterest’s ad revenue, has been hit by this trend. While the platform has invested heavily in machine‑learning‑driven ad placements and shoppable pins, the return on investment for advertisers remains a concern, pushing some to pivot toward other networks.

Tariff‑driven cost pressures

A less‑discussed but equally significant factor contributing to the sell‑off is the rise in tariff‑driven costs that has affected consumer electronics, a key driver of Pinterest’s user engagement. Since the United States imposed new tariffs on Chinese‑origin smartphones and other hardware in 2023, the average cost of consumer devices has risen by roughly 4 %. The higher price point has translated into reduced discretionary spending, dampening the volume of online purchases that Pinterest can facilitate through its shoppable pin feature.

The Reuters article also linked to a broader coverage of the U.S. tariff policy, noting that the tariffs on Chinese goods have not only increased costs for hardware but have also spurred a wave of supply‑chain disruptions that affect advertisers’ ability to reach consumers through cross‑border e‑commerce platforms. This ripple effect has put additional pressure on Pinterest’s growth prospects.

Market reaction and outlook

Pinterest’s shares have been volatile this year, and the recent tumble brought the company down to a 52‑week low. Analyst coverage suggests that while the company remains a key player in the visual‑search niche, it will need to continue innovating its ad formats and strengthen its partnership with e‑commerce retailers to counteract the dual forces of competition and higher consumer costs.

The company’s latest quarterly earnings, which can be accessed in detail on its investor relations website, show that total revenue reached $2.9 billion—up 9 % year‑over‑year—but the slower growth in ad revenue, coupled with the increased cost of goods sold, has put pressure on profitability. Investors are closely watching how Pinterest will navigate the tightening ad environment and whether it can sustain its growth trajectory in a market that is increasingly price‑sensitive.

In the short term, the market remains wary. The stock’s decline was mirrored across the broader social‑media sector, with peers such as Meta and TikTok also seeing modest losses amid similar concerns over ad‑spending dynamics. For Pinterest, the challenge will be to translate its visual‑search advantage into higher conversion rates and to leverage its data‑driven ad targeting to convince advertisers that it can deliver a superior return on investment in a crowded field.

As the digital‑ad landscape continues to evolve, Pinterest’s ability to adapt its monetization strategy will be key. The company’s forthcoming guidance and potential new product launches will be closely scrutinized by analysts and investors looking to gauge whether Pinterest can rebound from the current dip and regain momentum in a highly competitive arena.