10 Smart Pinterest SEO Tips: 2025

Ever wonder how some people get tons of traffic to their websites from Pinterest?

The secret is simple: Pinterest SEO!

Unlike other social media platforms, Pinterest works more like a search engine—so, if you know how to optimize your content, you can bring in a steady flow of visitors.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to get traffic from Pinterest by using smart SEO strategies. Whether you’re sharing blog posts, promoting products, or showcasing your brand, Pinterest can be a game-changer for growing your audience.

Ready to unlock the potential of Pinterest?

Let’s get started!

What is Pinterest SEO?

Pinterest SEO is all about making your profile and content more discoverable on Pinterest, with the ultimate goal of driving traffic to your website.

By optimizing your pins, boards, and even your profile using relevant keywords and eye-catching, high-quality images, you increase your chances of being found by the right audience.

Here’s a key thing to know: every pin can have a link attached. When users click that link, they’re taken directly to your chosen webpage—whether it’s a product page, blog post, or landing page.

If they click the image instead, they’re brought to a detailed pin page, where they’ll also find that link.

This is why ranking well on Pinterest is a big deal for business owners. Done right, Pinterest SEO can help you tap into a whole new stream of traffic—traffic that can translate into new customers and fresh revenue.

Why Pinterest SEO Is Important

To really understand the value of Pinterest, let’s look at an example: the Pinterest profile “Life Is Messy and Brilliant.” With 144.8K followers and 2.9 million monthly profile views, that’s a massive amount of potential traffic—and it’s no coincidence.

According to Semrush’s Traffic Analytics tool, more than a third of the traffic to their website comes directly from Pinterest. That’s huge! It shows how powerful Pinterest can be as a traffic driver.

By leveraging Pinterest as a traffic source, you’re not only increasing visibility for your content but also diversifying your traffic channels. Relying solely on one source, like Google, can be risky—so tapping into Pinterest gives you an additional, reliable stream of visitors.

In short, Pinterest SEO isn’t just an optional add-on; it’s a smart strategy to broaden your reach and strengthen your online presence.

Pinterest and SEO

When you think about SEO, platforms like Google probably come to mind first. But Pinterest is its own kind of search engine—visual and inspiration-driven. Just like traditional SEO helps websites rank higher on Google, Pinterest SEO helps your pins and boards show up when users search for ideas on the platform.

Pinterest users aren’t just browsing for fun; they’re actively looking for ideas, products, and solutions. That’s where Pinterest SEO comes in. By using strategic keywords, creating appealing visuals, and linking back to your website, you can increase your content’s visibility, drive traffic, and ultimately, grow your business.

When you think of Pinterest, you probably picture a place to pin recipes, home décor ideas, or DIY projects. But did you know it’s also a powerful tool for digital marketing? With the right Pinterest SEO strategy, you can unlock its full potential for your business.

Every month, over 416 million people visit Pinterest to explore and organize ideas they love. While it’s often lumped in with social media platforms, Pinterest is more like a visual search engine—and a really influential one at that.

For many businesses, especially in e-commerce, Pinterest has become a major driver of social revenue. Ignoring it could mean missing out on a golden opportunity to broaden your reach and convert curious browsers into loyal customers.

In fact, Pinterest recently ran a survey to understand how people use the platform for shopping. The findings? Pinterest doesn’t just influence what people shop for—it shapes their purchasing decisions and even how much they spend.

Check out these eye-opening stats:

Here’s a rotated version of the data:

---

• 59% of users use Pinterest to dig deeper into their potential purchases.
• 66% end up purchasing something after spotting a brand’s pin.
• 78% appreciate seeing content from brands.
• 90% rely on Pinterest to help them decide what to buy.
• 70% discover new products while browsing.
• 72% of users say Pinterest inspires them to shop, even when they aren’t actively looking for something.

In short, Pinterest SEO is the bridge between your brand and people who are ready to discover (and buy) what you offer.

So, if your brand isn’t on Pinterest yet, now’s the time to get started—it could be a game-changer!

How Does Pinterest Determine Pin Quality?

Pinterest evaluates the quality of your pins based on how fresh they are, how popular they become, and how much engagement they generate. It tracks all interactions with your pin, so if it’s shared from your board to someone else’s, the platform records that activity as well. More shares and interactions contribute to your pin’s quality score.

To make your pins more appealing, focus on designing captivating images and crafting content that sparks interest and encourages others to share. The more people engage with your content, the better it will perform in Pinterest’s algorithm.

Pinterest also looks at your activity as a creator to determine your overall pinner quality. Are you consistently active?

Are your pins getting saves and comments?

The more you engage with your followers, share trending content, and grow your saves, the stronger your pinner quality becomes.

Lastly, topic relevance is all about using the right keywords. Pinterest functions similarly to search engines like Google, where keywords help determine what content shows up when users search. Including targeted keywords in your pins, boards, and profile helps Pinterest understand what your content is about and makes it easier for people to find.

---

For example, if you’re looking for a fresh workout routine, you can type “home workout plan” into Pinterest’s search bar. You’ll be greeted with a variety of effective options to choose from. Once you find one that fits your needs, you can save it to your board, where your followers can check it out too.

By creating fresh, shareable content with relevant keywords, you’ll boost your pin quality and get noticed more often on Pinterest.

How Does Pinterest’s Search Algorithm Work?

Let’s start with the basics. As a Pinterest user, you can save—or “pin”—any image you find online. By creating boards and organizing your pins into categories, you can neatly compile content around topics you love.

Most pinned images link back to the original websites they came from, making Pinterest a powerful tool for both inspiration and referral traffic.

For example, if you’re on the hunt for a new pizza recipe, you can simply type “pizza recipe” into Pinterest’s search bar. You’ll be presented with a wide range of mouthwatering options to choose from. Once you find one you like, you can save it to your board, where your followers can see it too.

But how does Pinterest decide what content to show you in search results? Its search algorithm is driven by four key factors:

1. Domain Quality

This refers to how Pinterest views the overall quality of your website. It takes into account how often users pin content from your site. To improve domain quality, pin consistently, enable rich pins, and focus on creating engaging, high-quality content.

2. Pin Quality

Pinterest evaluates each pin based on its performance—things like how many saves, clicks, and closeups it gets. High-quality pins are visually appealing, have compelling descriptions, and use relevant keywords.

3. Pinner Quality

This is all about your activity and credibility as a pinner. Pinterest favors active users who pin regularly and create content that drives engagement. So, stay active and keep curating!

4. Topic Relevance

Pinterest tries to match your pins to user searches by analyzing keywords in your pin descriptions, board titles, and profile bio. Using relevant keywords consistently helps Pinterest understand what your content is about and ensures it shows up in the right searches.

Understanding these factors and optimizing for them is crucial for Pinterest SEO. By consistently pinning great content and keeping these elements in mind, you can increase your visibility and drive more traffic to your website.

Pinterest SEO: How to Get Traffic from Pinterest

1. Getting Started: Pinterest Basics

Before diving into the exciting world of Pinterest SEO, let’s get the essentials in order. A solid foundation is key to making sure your Pinterest strategy works smoothly.

Here’s what you’ll need to do before you start pinning:

Create a Business Account

Start by setting up a Pinterest Business account. If you already have a personal account, no worries—you can easily convert it into a business account.

Why go through this step?

A business account gives you access to valuable tools like Pinterest Analytics and Pinterest Ads Manager, which are essential for tracking performance and running ad campaigns.

Choose an SEO-Friendly Username

Your username matters because it becomes part of your profile’s URL. Think about what your target audience might be searching for and choose a name that reflects your niche or brand. A little keyword strategy here goes a long way!

Optimize Your Profile

Make your profile stand out by filling in the “About You” section with relevant information. Don’t forget to use a high-quality version of your company logo as your profile picture—it helps with brand recognition. Also, sprinkle in a few important keywords (we’ll cover more about this later) to improve your profile’s visibility in searches.

Create at Least One Board

You’ll need at least one board to start pinning content. Choose a board name that reflects the type of content you plan to share. For example, if you’re in marketing, a board titled “Marketing Hacks” or “DIY SEO” would make sense. This way, users will immediately know what kind of content they can expect.

Once you’ve got these basics covered, you’re ready to dive into more advanced Pinterest SEO techniques!

2. Claim Your Website

Linking your website to your Pinterest account is a game-changer. Here’s why it’s worth doing:

• You’ll gain valuable insights into how your content is being shared on Pinterest.
• Your profile will be shown whenever people save Pins containing content from your site.
• Once your website is claimed, your profile picture and link will appear on all Pins tied to your content, giving your brand even more visibility and credibility.

There are three ways to claim your website:

1. Adding an HTML tag
2. Uploading an HTML file
3. Adding a DNS TXT record

To get started, follow these steps:

Click the icon next to your profile picture and select “Settings.”

On the left-hand menu, choose “Claimed accounts.”

Next to “Websites,” click “Claim.” A popup will appear with the three options listed above.

Pick the method that works best for your setup and follow the instructions provided.

Once you’ve completed the process, your website will show up under the “Websites” section on the “Claimed accounts” page, confirming that it’s successfully linked.

Claiming your website isn’t just a technical step—it’s a smart move to boost your brand’s presence and make the most out of Pinterest’s sharing power!

3. Conduct Keyword Research

Just like traditional SEO, Pinterest SEO relies heavily on keyword research. To get your boards and pins in front of the right audience, you need to optimize them with the terms your target audience is searching for. But first, you need to figure out what those terms are.

Pinterest as a Search Engine

Pinterest isn’t just a place to pin your favorite recipes or home décor ideas—it’s a powerful search engine in its own right. And you can use it to do keyword research directly on the platform.

To get started, simply type a broad keyword related to your business into the search bar. Pinterest will suggest related phrases, often longer and more specific than your initial search.

These suggestions are gold—use them to refine your pins and boards with more targeted keywords that are closely tied to what your audience is searching for.

Here’s a revised version with different keywords:

---

How to Choose Which Keywords to Target

When it comes to keyword research, just like with blogs or websites, choosing the right keywords is crucial. It can be tempting to go after broad, popular keywords like “fitness tips”. But keep in mind, that you’ll be competing with a lot of well-established accounts already ranking for those terms.

That’s why it’s often smarter to target long-tail keywords first. Long-tail keywords are more specific phrases that tend to have lower search volumes but also lower competition.

The beauty of long-tail keywords is that they help you zero in on the searcher’s intent, making it easier to create content (like Pins) that meets their exact needs.

For example, let’s look at the search term “fitness tips” (a broad keyword):

You’ll see a variety of results—some Pins focus on weight loss, others on workouts for beginners, and some on healthy eating. The variety makes it hard to focus on one specific aspect.

Now, if you search for “beginner workout routine for women” (a long-tail keyword), you’ll notice that most of the top results are all about beginner workout plans specifically targeted to women. These results are much more aligned with the search term.

While targeting a broad keyword like “fitness tips” might give you a chance to reach a wider audience, focusing on specific long-tail keywords gives you a better chance of ranking higher in Pinterest search results.

Plus, you’ll be able to create content that directly meets the searcher’s needs, which could lead to higher engagement and more targeted traffic to your website.

Now that you know how to choose the right keywords, it’s time to start optimizing your Pinterest content!

4. Organize & Optimize Boards

When creating boards on Pinterest, your keyword and audience research should be a top priority. Boards are a powerful way to tell Pinterest’s search engine how you categorize your content, and they play a big role in boosting your visibility.

Not only do boards help organize your content, but they’re also the first thing users will see when they visit your profile. So, it’s essential to make your board titles clear and easy to understand and to use eye-catching cover images that grab attention.

For example, I’ve organized my boards based on the top search terms for my niche. Some of my boards are named “Blogging 101”, “Make Money Online”, and “Smart SEO Strategy”, all of which reflect common search phrases in my area of expertise.

I’ve also created custom cover images for each board, making it quick and easy to see what each one is about at a glance.

While optimizing your board titles and cover images is important for SEO and engagement, there’s one more thing to keep in mind: quality pins. No matter how well your boards are organized, they won’t perform well if they’re not filled with high-quality, engaging pins. So, make sure your pins are polished and appealing to increase your chances of gaining popularity on Pinterest.

You can’t just rely on a good board setup—your content needs to shine!

5. Optimize Your Pins

Creating the perfect Pin isn’t just about having great content—it’s about knowing what works on Pinterest and keeping up with trends. Things like Pin structure, fonts, sizes, and images are always changing, so it’s important to stay updated.

But don’t worry! There are a few basic rules that always work when it comes to making your Pins SEO-friendly.

Use the Right Formats

To make sure your Pins are looking their best, here are some quick tips for optimizing your images (based on Pinterest’s advice for advertisers):

• Aspect ratio: Stick to a 2:3 ratio—think 1000 x 1500 pixels. This is the ideal size for most Pins.
• Image format: Go for JPEG or PNG files.
• File size: Keep your images under 20 MB if you’re uploading on a desktop (up to 32 MB for the app).

If you’re using video Pins:

Video format: Upload as .mp4, .mov, or .m4v files, and keep the size under 2 GB (with a max length of 15 minutes).

Video aspect ratios: Square videos or ratios like 2:3, 4:5, or 9:16 work best.

Use Eye-Catching Colors

You want your Pins to pop! Use bright, high-contrast colors to make sure your Pins stand out from the rest. You don’t want your Pin to get lost in the shuffle, so make sure it’s visually striking.

Include Enticing, Keyword-Rich Titles

Your title is key to getting clicks. Make it descriptive and keyword-rich so it shows up in search results. Instead of something vague like “SEO Tips,” try something specific like “10 SEO Hacks for More Traffic.” It’s more enticing and gives users a better idea of what to expect, making them more likely to click through.

Prioritize the First 30 Characters in the Title

Even though you can use up to 100 characters in your Pin title, keep in mind that it might get cut off in users’ feeds after about 30 characters (though on desktop, it could show up to 50 or more). That’s why it’s a good idea to put your most important keywords at the very beginning of your title. This ensures your key message is visible right away, no matter where your Pin shows up.

Highlight Uniqueness in the Description

When writing your Pin description, think about what makes your product or article stand out. What can you say in just a few sentences to grab attention and make people want to learn more?

Focus on the unique aspects that will resonate with your audience. Whether it’s a special feature, a helpful tip, or a unique angle, these details help you connect with users and give them a reason to click through to your website.

Don’t Repeat Titles in Descriptions

Think of your description as a chance to expand on what’s in the title, not repeat it. While the title grabs attention, the description allows you to provide more details and add extra keywords that speak to your audience’s needs.

Instead of just echoing the title, use the description to highlight different angles of your Pin. Talk about why it’s valuable, how it can help your audience, or what makes it unique. This way, you not only boost your visibility in search but also help users decide if your content is exactly what they’re looking for.

6. Be Descriptive

Just like with your titles, getting your descriptions right is crucial for Pinterest SEO.

A detailed description, especially one with your target keywords, helps Pinterest understand your Pin and show it to the right audience in search results. It’s your chance to give users a sneak peek of what your content is about and convince them to click through to your site.

Make it clear how your content will benefit them, what they’ll learn, or if you’re promoting a product, share something unique about it that sets you apart from the competition.

A couple of sentences—about 100 characters—is usually enough to provide valuable details. You can even add hashtags to your description to help boost your visibility in relevant searches.

7. Aim for Engagement

Engagement on Pinterest is a big deal. The more interactions your Pins get, the more visible they become in search results, leading to more traffic and eventually, more conversions on your website.

Here are a few tips to boost your engagement and get your content noticed:

• Link Your Pinterest Account to Other Social Media: By connecting your Pinterest to your other social media accounts, you’ll raise awareness among your followers who may not be on Pinterest yet.
• Collaborate with Pinterest Influencers: Invite relevant influencers to collaborate on a board. When they re-Pin your content, it gets exposed to a much larger audience.
• Add Text Overlays to Your Images: Pins with text tend to rank well, especially in searches like “SEO.” Try adding a short, descriptive text overlay to your images to grab attention.
• Use Canva to Create Multiple Pin Designs: Canva is a great tool for designing multiple versions of your Pins. You can test which designs work best and see which ones get the most engagement.
• Pin Consistently: Buffer suggests pinning at least 5 times a day for the widest reach. Regular activity keeps your profile active and your content visible.
• Follow Relevant Boards: By following boards related to your niche, you’ll grow your network and increase your chances of getting your Pins seen by a larger audience.
• Track Performance: Pinterest Analytics is a goldmine for understanding how your content is doing. Use the insights to tweak your strategy, whether it’s adjusting keywords or experimenting with design.

8. Join Group Boards

Group boards are a great way to get your content seen by more people on Pinterest. These boards are created by other users and allow members to pin their own content as well as share content from other participants. It’s all about teamwork to expand everyone’s reach!

Each group board will have its own guidelines, but the general idea is for everyone to share Pins from other members to boost visibility.

You can recognize group boards because they list multiple contributors.

Once you’re a part of a few, tools like Tailwind make it easy to schedule and automatically share your content and re-pin from others. It’s an awesome way to increase your traffic and grow your audience.

9. Optimize for Visual Search

Pinterest’s Lens technology is a game changer when it comes to visual search.

With just a quick scan of a product or item using a smartphone camera, Pinterest can identify the object and suggest similar Pins. It’s a smart technology that understands the details of an image and can recommend related content.

This means that when creating your Pins, you need to think not just about the text but about the visual appeal. High-quality, clear images that accurately represent your blog posts or product pages are key.

By using the right visuals, your Pin could appear in search results for “Related Items,” even if the search term isn’t in your description. It’s a cool way to get discovered by users browsing for similar content!

10. Use Pinterest Trends

Pinterest Trends is a handy tool that shows you what’s hot on Pinterest right now. It gives you an overview of the top search terms and popular topics in places like the U.S., U.K., and Canada.

Here’s how to use Pinterest Trends to stay ahead:

1. Open Pinterest Trends on your desktop or mobile browser.
2. Choose the country you want to explore trends from.
3. Type a term into the search bar or click on “See now” for trending topics.

As you type, Pinterest will show you a list of suggested terms—these are real, trending searches from the platform. It’s a great way to spot what people are currently interested in.

The best part?

You can compare up to four keywords at once. Just enter them into the search bar, and Pinterest will show you how they’ve performed over the past year in a handy graph.

This is a great way to figure out which topics are gaining traction and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Pinterest SEO: Wrapping Up

Pinterest is more than just a place to pin inspiring ideas; it’s a powerful tool for driving traffic and growing your brand. By following these Pinterest SEO tips and optimizing your profile, creating engaging Pins, and using the right strategies, you can boost your visibility and connect with an audience that’s ready to explore what you offer.

From understanding Pinterest’s search algorithm to leveraging Pinterest Trends, there’s a lot to dive into. But don’t worry—whether you’re just getting started or looking for advanced strategies on how to get traffic from Pinterest, a little creativity and consistency can go a long way.

So, start applying these Pinterest SEO tips today, and watch your Pinterest presence turn into a traffic-driving machine that supports your digital marketing goals!

Pinterest SEO: FAQs