You have an option to keep your "boards" private, if you want. Boards being categories that you set up and can save ideas or pictures to that you like. I don't think there is any difference in signing up here or for Pinterest. You use a screen name, if you wish, I do. As far as followers, all that means is that there are other people who have the same interests or tastes as you and so may opt to "follow" you as a quick way to find ideas they know they will like. It has nothing to do with "following" anything personal about you. That info is just not there, that I know of. And as I said before, you can keep your boards private. I find a lot of ideas there, more than I can use really, but it is fun.