OpenAI Could Buy Pinterest to Boost Search and Shopping

OpenAI is reportedly considering a takeover of Pinterest, a deal that could reshape how people discover ideas, products, and visual search results online. The claim comes from a report referenced by Tom’s Guide, citing The Information, and it sparked an immediate market reaction, with Pinterest shares rising around 3% following the speculation. Neither OpenAI nor Pinterest has confirmed talks, but the report has renewed attention on OpenAI’s push beyond a chatbot and into a broader consumer and commerce ecosystem. 

Pinterest may look like an unusual target for an AI company at first, but the strategic value is clear: Pinterest is built around visual discovery and intent-driven browsing. The platform hosts a massive library of images tied to what people are planning or shopping for, such as home projects, outfits, recipes, and gifts, which could help train and improve AI systems that rely on understanding what users want from visual prompts. 

Pinterest also has a mature advertising business designed around search-style discovery and shopping, plus direct links between users and merchants, pieces OpenAI would need if it wants AI answers to become more actionable and commercially useful. In practical terms, deeper integration could make AI recommendations feel more like curated boards of products and ideas, with results that are easier to personalize and potentially “shoppable” inside an AI experience. 

The rumored move would also put pressure on rivals that already invest heavily in visual search, product ads, and recommendation engines. Pinterest’s market value has been cited around the mid–tens of billions, which means any acquisition would be a major bet and one of OpenAI’s largest moves yet. For now, the story remains a report rather than a confirmed deal, but it signals that OpenAI may be exploring ways to own more of the path from discovery to purchase, especially as AI becomes a front door to how people search, shop, and scroll.