September is officially here! As we soak up the last warm days, put away our sunscreen and self-tanner, return to campus, and rush to Starbucks for our favorite pumpkin spice latte, we embrace another change of season. A new semester means new everything: new roommates, new dorm decor, new clubs, and new exclusives — including figuring out how to join Shuffles, the latest invite-only app that’s been blowing up on TikTok, with over 1.5 million views already on the #shufflespinterest tag. Whether you’re a freshman starting a new school in a new state, or a returning student who decided to change their major, finding a community you can connect with can be the backbone of your experience, and Shuffles might just be that community for a lucky few.
For years, Pinterest has served as one of the number one mood and inspiration board platforms, helping corporate CEOs pick a design and college students find inspo for party decor. The platform recently debuted its new app, Shuffles, designed for creating collages from your Pinterest board. While we may not be on the A-list (yet), we have all the info on the app and how to join. Keep reading to discover all the rage and figure out how you too, can Shuffle like a pro.
What is Shuffles?
When Pinterest first debuted in 2010, it was designed for the world to share and create images by pinning their favorite recipes, nail designs, and fashion inspo to a board and share their creativity worldwide. According to Omnicore, Pinterest now has over 478 million users and 240 billion pins saved, bringing its market value to over 49 billion dollars.
However, this wasn’t always the plan for the app. Originally, Pinterest operated as an invite-only platform before fully opening up to the public, and as influencer and creative marketing continue to grow, some could say that this is Pinterest’s way of giving back to its OG creators. Fun features of the app include being able to access any board you have created in the past and create a collage that includes movement, resizing, layering, rotating and more. According to a statement by Pinterest, the company is keeping Shuffles invite-only to decrease the chances of the app breaking down.
How to get a shuffles invite code
Shuffles is invite-only, which means you will need a code to access the app. Codes are distributed to creators, with each receiving anywhere from three to five invite codes to share with fellow creators and friends. Here are a few ways you can get an invite code:
- Networking: Pinterest has given codes to its top creators (think marketers, graphic designers, etc.) If you or someone you know is an avid Pinterest creator or holds a large presence in the digital community, there’s a high chance they were given a code. This is a great opportunity to network and meet like-minded individuals in your career field, and it doesn’t hurt to ask if they could give you an in to the app. Follow the hashtags #shufflesbypinterest and #shuffles on Twitter and Instagram as well.
- Giveaways: Pinterest has been posting codes on their Instagram story every few days. Sometimes the platform will post the time that they will be sharing the codes, so it’s a good idea to turn on post notifications, follow the hashtags, and keep a watchful eye for your chance at snagging a code.
- Reddit: As it turns out, Reddit is good for more than just deep-dive conspiracy theories. Since the app’s launch, the Pinterest Reddit has had tons of resources, from users offering codes to others offering passionate kisses in exchange. Keep your eyes and ears peeled as you search the thread for a code.
- Waitlist: The least favorite option is, of course, the waitlist. According to Pinterest, users can sign up for their waitlist from their main Pinterest screen. Not the most exciting option, but at least it secures a place in line.
While waiting is no fun, in the meantime you can always use the regular Pinterest features to create boards and join communities to your liking, and wait for your turn in the shuffle.