How to Make Money on Pinterest: Affiliate & Product Sales

Pinterest stands out as a visual search engine where users come with purpose, while Pinterest generates revenue through advertising fees from promoted pins and shopping ads that businesses pay to reach targeted audiences. Unlike other social media platforms, Pinterest users search with intent, whether it’s for a product, an idea, or a how-to.

This makes Pinterest one of the few spaces where content is both searchable and built to sell, confirming that users can earn money on Pinterest through multiple proven income streams.With its long content lifespan, a single high-quality pin can generate income for months after it’s posted.

For online business owners, affiliate marketers, and creators, this means opportunity. Pinterest users can make money through various methods including creating pins that link directly to their ecommerce site, blog post, or sales page while earning through affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and product promotions that drive traffic and conversions.

You can also earn through Pinterest affiliate marketing by posting affiliate links with product pins or idea pins and tagging brands using the paid partnership label.

A Pinterest business account gives you monetization tools like Pinterest Analytics, product tagging, Pinterest Ads Manager, and access to features like Rich Pins and group boards that transform your account into a revenue-generating platform through affiliate marketing, product sales, and brand partnerships. These tools help track key metrics, reach a larger audience, and post content that performs.

Pinterest supports brand partnerships, sponsored content, and catalog sales campaigns for both new and established profiles. Pinterest content with visual appeal and search optimization converts clicks into revenue.

How Pinterest Makes Money as a Platform

Pinterest generates revenue through several channels that create the monetization ecosystem you’ll be working within. Pinterest earns primarily through advertising revenue from promoted pins and shopping ads that brands pay to display to Pinterest users. Pinterest also collects fees from business subscription services, which give companies advanced analytics and campaign management tools through Pinterest Ads Manager.

Pinterest takes a percentage from shopping transactions completed through product pins and affiliate partnerships, while also earning from Creator Rewards Program partnerships with brands. Pinterest’s revenue model aligns with user success. The more engagement and sales that happen on Pinterest, the more revenue Pinterest generates.

This creates a win-win environment where Pinterest actively supports creators and businesses in monetizing content, since platform growth directly benefits Pinterest’s bottom line. Pinterest’s revenue streams show why Pinterest invests in features like Rich Pins, Pinterest Analytics, and group boards.

These tools drive the engagement and sales that fuel Pinterest’s business model while helping you earn from your Pinterest marketing efforts.

How to Make Money on Pinterest

Switching to a Pinterest business account unlocks tools that make monetization possible—like Pinterest Analytics, Rich Pins, and access to Pinterest Ads Manager. This is where Pinterest starts working as more than just a visual platform—it becomes a traffic machine for your ecommerce site, sales page, or blog post.

Once your account is set up, here’s what to focus on:

• Claim your website: Connect your site to your Pinterest profile to activate Rich Pins, track performance, and link directly to destination pages.
• Set up your Pinterest profile with intent: Add a clear bio with relevant keywords, a profile picture, and a link to your website or storefront.
• Create Pinterest boards that convert: Use keyword-rich board titles and descriptions based on popular Pinterest searches. Think like your audience.
• Design your content mix: Post a blend of product pins, idea pins, affiliate links, and sponsored content using the paid partnership label.
• Organize and schedule pins: Use the Pinterest app or trusted tools to post consistently. Group boards help extend your reach to a broader audience.

A well-prepared Pinterest page positions you for steady traffic, new Pinterest followers, and income streams through Pinterest affiliate marketing and brand deals.

Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest

The global affiliate marketing industry is valued at over $17 billion and growing at an annual rate of 10%. Around 81% of brands now run affiliate programs, and many see a return of $15 for every $1 spent. Pinterest gives creators and online business owners a visual channel to share affiliate content that fits seamlessly into user searches and saves.

Pinterest business accounts allow posting affiliate links via product pins, idea pins, or blog content. Users must use the paid partnership label or clearly disclose affiliate connections in pin descriptions.

Some top-performing niches for affiliate content include education, eLearning, travel, beauty, and skincare—categories that already see high engagement from Pinterest users.

Convert Pinterest content into passive income by:

• Creating pins matching search intent: Design clear, appealing pins with keywords your Pinterest audience uses.
• Writing converting pin descriptions: Combine product value with relevant keywords that give users reasons to click.
• Linking to affiliate landing pages: Direct Pinterest traffic to ecommerce sites, sales pages, or brand partners.
• Tracking with Pinterest Analytics: Monitor outbound clicks, saves, and impressions to optimize performance.

With 27.8% of brands still choosing blogs for affiliate marketing, Pinterest’s visual-first model gives you a fresh way to monetize content beyond other social media platforms.

Promote Your Products Using Pinterest

With a Pinterest business account, users can earn money by posting pictures through product pins that link straight to their ecommerce site, sales page, or online store where each pin can generate affiliate commissions or direct sales. This setup brings your catalog to life with content that fits into how Pinterest users search, save, and shop.

Pinterest product promotion works best when your Pinterest profile is active, branded, and filled with quality content. Whether you’re selling your own goods or creating product pins for clients as a Pinterest virtual assistant, you can use Pinterest tools to reach a broader audience beyond other social media platforms.

Follow these steps to post income-generating content on Pinterest that converts viewers into customers:

• Create product pins: Add clear pricing, product details, and destination links. Use relevant keywords in your pin titles and descriptions to surface in Pinterest searches.
• Post idea pins with product usage: Show how the item fits into daily life or solves a problem. This helps build trust and connect with your Pinterest audience.
• Tag products using Rich Pins and product tagging: Automatically sync product data from your ecommerce platforms for accuracy and reach.
• Track sales through Pinterest Analytics: Watch what drives traffic, where users click, and which pins convert. Use this data to shape your next round of Pinterest marketing.
• Work with brand partnerships: Use the paid partnership label when promoting sponsored content or collaborating with a brand directly.

Design Pins That Perform

To make money on Pinterest, your pins need to catch attention, communicate clearly, and lead viewers to action—whether that’s visiting your sales page, clicking an affiliate link, or saving a Pinterest post for later.

Well-crafted pins make Pinterest pages stand out in feeds and search results. Pins blending creativity with clarity attract followers and boost target audience engagement.

Here’s how to get it right:

• Use vertical formats (2:3 aspect ratio): Perfect for mobile screens, where most Pinterest users scroll using the Pinterest app. Pinterest pin dimensions can make or break your marketing plans. 
• Add text overlays to support your message: Great for tutorials, product tips, or highlighting blog post titles.
• Choose clear fonts and high-resolution images: Keep your visuals sharp, readable, and aligned with your brand identity.
• Write strong pin descriptions: Include relevant keywords, product names, or themes that match ongoing Pinterest searches.
• Create content for each purpose: Mix sponsored pins, idea pins, product pins, and save-worthy DIY-style visuals to reach a broader audience.
• Schedule pins consistently: Posting regularly helps build your Pinterest presence and signals activity to the algorithm. Incorporate a content calendar to keep a track of your marketing timetable. 

With quality design and keyword-rich descriptions, your content can drive traffic and attract affiliate partners, clicks, and brand partnerships—all from a single pin.

Boost Reach with Pinterest Features

These tools help your Pinterest content show up in more searches and on more feeds. Whether you’re growing your Pinterest account, managing an ecommerce site, or promoting affiliate links, well-planned Pinterest marketing with native features can amplify business impact.

Here’s how to expand your reach with the right tools:

1. Idea Pins

Create idea pins to show tutorials, product use, or behind-the-scenes content. These are favored by the Pinterest app and work well for affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and storytelling.

2. Pinterest Trends

Use this tool to discover rising keywords and seasonal themes. The Pinterest trends tool helps you plan content that fits current Pinterest searches and aligns with audience behavior.

3. Group Boards

Join or create group boards to get your pins in front of a broader audience. Ideal for online business owners and Pinterest virtual assistants managing multiple brands.

4. Creator Rewards Program

Pinterest’s Creator Rewards Program pays eligible creators directly for posting content that meets platform goals, making Pinterest one of the platforms that compensates users for their contributions. It rewards quality content and supports those on a creator journey.

5. Paid Partnership Tool

Use the paid partnership label to tag sponsored content transparently for creators and brands. This builds trust and meets Pinterest’s requirements for brand deals.

6. Pinterest Ads

Run sponsored pins and promoted pins using the Pinterest Ads Manager. You can drive traffic to your sales page, test products, or amplify high-performing content. These ads pull directly from your product catalog and display real-time pricing and availability.

Perfect for driving Pinterest users straight to your ecommerce site or sales page, they work well for both physical and digital products. Shopping Ads blend naturally into feeds and are great for boosting catalog visibility.

Quick Tip: Pair promoted pins with seasonal content, trending topics, or idea pins to catch interest while people are already searching. This helps reach a warmer audience that’s ready to engage or buy.

Each tool works differently, but all support one goal—helping you post content that reaches more people, drives traffic, and grows your Pinterest presence across other social media platforms too.

Track Results and Improve

Your Pinterest business account comes with Pinterest Analytics, which gives a clear view of how your content performs across your Pinterest page.

Use it to review:

• Outbound clicks: See which pins drive traffic to your blog post, sales page, or ecommerce site.
• Saves and impressions: Understand what’s being shared or saved by Pinterest users, and which visuals or topics get the most visibility.
• Audience insights: Learn about your Pinterest audience what they search for, engage with, and pin. This helps shape what content to post next.
• Top-performing formats: Use data to compare idea pins, product pins, and sponsored pins. Pin types that pull better engagement should be posted more often.

You can also track how affiliate links, promoted pins, or Pinterest ads perform and adjust your content based on those numbers. Whether you’re posting as a creator, a Pinterest virtual assistant, or growing your own business—using your data helps turn traffic into income and content into results.

Long-Term Growth Tips for Pinterest Marketing

Staying consistent, tracking trends, and posting with intent helps online business owners, creators, and affiliate marketers continue earning over time.

Here’s how to build momentum:

• Post consistently: Use the Pinterest app or a scheduler to post pins regularly. This keeps your Pinterest profile active and boosts visibility in user feeds.
• Mix content formats: Alternate between idea pins, product pins, sponsored content, and affiliate links to keep your feed interesting and reach different parts of your Pinterest audience.
• Refresh old content: Update pin descriptions, swap in new images, or reshare blog posts with fresh visuals to reach a broader audience without starting from scratch.
• Watch seasonal trends: Pinterest searches shift throughout the year. Use trend data and Pinterest Analytics to plan timely content tied to holidays, events, or seasonal buying behavior.
• Grow beyond your own boards: Join group boards, pin to relevant community boards, and repurpose content across other social media platforms to attract new Pinterest followers and brand opportunities.

To Sum up

It’s one of the few platforms where content keeps working long after it’s posted, turning effort into steady gains. Whether you’re selling your own products or earning through partnerships, Pinterest gives you the tools to make it work.

The platform isn’t just about ideas. It’s about results.

Post with intent and treat your profile like a business. On Pinterest, creativity and action go hand in hand and every pin counts.

FAQs

Ruchi Dhimar

Ruchi Dhimar is a skilled content writer with 4 years of experience. She is  passionate about crafting compelling narratives, specializing in writing content for different industries.