Pinterest Marketing 2025: Complete Guide for Traffic & Conversions

Pinterest marketing works as a powerful way to drive traffic and gain new customers. Unlike platforms that rely on fast-moving social feeds, Pinterest acts as a visual discovery engine. People visit Pinterest to search for new ideas, gift ideas, and products that fit their interests.

Users type in keywords and browse image pins, videos, and guides that match their needs. This makes Pinterest a top choice for brands that want to start marketing with content built to last. Businesses that post helpful pins can drive visitors for months as their business gets exposure to  570 million Pinterest users every month. Marketers are seeing strong results by using a Pinterest marketing strategy that blends organic pins with Pinterest ads. Both online sales and brand awareness grow as content reaches an audience ready to buy.

One of Pinterest’s strengths is how long a pin can stay active. On average, a Pinterest pin drives traffic for 160 days. By contrast, an Instagram post tends to fade within 24 hours. This gives Pinterest unmatched staying power. Pinterest works as a search-driven platform where users come with intent. Whether you share how tos, promote products, or build a branded Pinterest profile, this channel gives your business a steady source of engaged visitors.

This blog will explain everything about Pinterest marketing, making it easy for anyone to check if they skipped a step.

Core Concepts of Pinterest Marketing

Pinterest works through search, not a feed. Users type in keywords and browse image pins, videos, and Idea Pins that match what they want to buy, create, or learn.

Here’s what makes Pinterest marketing work:

1. Visual Content Wins

On Pinterest, visuals drive clicks. Strong image pins with clear pin titles perform best. Share how tos, gift ideas, and products that send users to your site or blog post. Group boards can expand reach fast.

2. Search Drives Discovery

Pinterest helps you reach buyers who are already looking. The Pinterest algorithm rewards pins with strong keywords and active user engagement. Your Pinterest marketing strategy should include smart keyword use and consistent pin posting.

3. Pins Keep Driving Traffic

A good Pinterest pin can bring visitors for 160 days or more, much longer than posts on other platforms. Pinterest analytics tracks this ongoing traffic so you can refine your content.

4. Built-in Shopping Features

Pinterest is a top channel for driving online sales. With a Pinterest business account, you can run ads, promote products, and track performance with Pinterest analytics. For shopping on Pinterest, Product Pins, videos, Product Groups, retail catalogs, and Pinterest ads help turn browsers into customers.

Pinterest remains the go to place to start marketing if you want steady traffic and lasting results.

Who Should Use Pinterest for Marketing?

Not every platform fits every business. But if you want to drive traffic, promote products, or build an audience, Pinterest marketing is worth adding to your plan. Here’s who should use it:

1. E-commerce Brands

Pinterest works for brands that sell products online. Use Pinterest ads and Product Pins to send shoppers straight to your website. For eCommerce brands, Pins can feature gift ideas, lifestyle images, or how tos. Track sales with Pinterest analytics.

2. Bloggers & Content Creators

Pinterest brings long-term traffic to any blog post. Share how tos, tips, or story-based content with eye-catching image pins. Group boards can also help you reach new audiences fast.

3. Service Providers & Coaches

Build trust through visual content. Share behind the scenes moments, client stories, or videos to connect with your target audience. Pinterest helps drive traffic to service pages and builds a steady stream of leads.

4. Niche Influencers

Pinterest is a go to place for new ideas and trends. If you run a niche Pinterest profile, you can attract weekly pinners looking for inspiration. It also pairs well with content you post on other platforms.

5. B2B Companies

B2B brands can win on Pinterest too. Share blog posts, case studies, videos, and visual data to attract business buyers. Use keywords smartly to get found in search.

6. Local Businesses

Target customers near you. Use Pinterest marketing strategy to share local events, offers, and gift ideas with geo-tagged pins. Run ads to reach new customers in your region.

No matter your business type, with a Pinterest business account, you can start marketing, run Pinterest ads, and gain access to powerful tools like Pinterest analytics to track what works.

Set Up Your Pinterest Business Account

If you want your pins to drive traffic and online sales, start with a Pinterest business account. It gives you access to Pinterest ads, Pinterest analytics, Rich Pins, and shopping features that help you grow your business.

For a full walkthrough on the setup process, read this guide on how to use Pinterest.

Why the Business Account Matters

A personal account limits what you can do. With a business account, you can:

• Run Pinterest ads to promote products.
• Track performance with Pinterest analytics.
• Enable Rich Pins that drive clicks to your website.
• Add your site link and verify your Pinterest profile.
• Get insights on your audience and content.

Once your Pinterest business account is live, fill out your profile with strong related keywords. This helps your pins rank in search and reach more weekly users.

Pinterest Boards

Your boards act as content hubs. They signal to the Pinterest algorithm what your pins are about.

Tips for Pinterest Boards:

• Create boards around themes your audience searches for (example: gift ideas, how tos, DIY, fashion, seasonal content).
• Organize pins into sections for better browsing.
• Use branded cover art to build trust.

Your boards make it easier for new customers to discover and save your content. They also influence what Pinterest helps surface in related search. Once your boards are ready, you can start pinning content that brings traffic, engagement, and sales.

Pinterest SEO: Make Your Pins Discoverable

Pinterest works as a visual search engine. Your pins show up when users type in keywords. Strong Pinterest SEO helps your content drive more traffic and online sales.

Pin Formats

Not all formats perform the same. Here’s what to use:

• Static Pins: Great for blog posts, tutorials, and product images.
• Video Pins: Great for how tos, product demos, and behind the scenes content.
• Carousel Pins: Show multiple product shots or steps in a process.
• Idea Pins: Multi-page content that boosts engagement.
• Shoppable Pins: Drive online sales with direct links to product pages.
• Collection Pins: One hero image plus up to 24 tagged images.

Vertical pins get more reach. Pins sized at 1000 x 1500 pixels with a 2:3 aspect ratio get 63% more impressions than square ones. Ensure to learn the details on Pinterest Pin Dimensions to avoid any issues.

Design Tips

Use bright, eye-catching image pins. Combine strong pin titles with high-quality visuals. Readable text, clear keywords, and a strong image = more clicks.

Keyword Optimization for Pins

Pinterest helps users discover your pins through search. Use related keywords in:

• Pin titles: The title that appears with your pin; helps it show up in relevant searches.
• Descriptions: The text below your pin; adds context and keywords for search.
• Board names: The name of your board; Pinterest indexes this for search relevance.
• Board descriptions: The board’s intro text; adds extra keyword weight.

Pinterest Keyword Research Methods:

• Pinterest search suggestions: Type a word into Pinterest’s search bar; suggested terms show what users are searching for.
• Pinterest Trends tool: A tool that shows trending search terms and seasonal interest patterns on Pinterest.
• Google Trends: A free tool to compare the popularity of search terms across Google and Pinterest.
• PinInspector: Paid tool that scrapes Pinterest search data to show top-performing keywords and pins.
• Keywords Everywhere: A browser extension that adds keyword volume and competition data into Pinterest search results.

Pinterest Algorithm

The Pinterest algorithm rewards fresh pins, saves, and engagement. Learn in-depth about the functionality of Pinterest Algorithm to easily curate your marketing strategy. 

Rich Pins

Rich Pins add useful details that help pins stand out in search:

• Product Pins show pricing and availability.
• Article Pins pull your blog post headline and intro.
• Recipe Pins include ingredients.

Enable Rich Pins by adding metadata to your site and verifying your Pinterest profile.

Mobile Optimization

Most weekly pinners browse on mobile. Design for small screens:

• Large, clear text.
• Bright image pins.
• Clear pin title.

Pinterest SEO helps your pins reach more users and keeps driving traffic long after the first post.

Pinterest Ads: Leverage Paid Campaigns for Conversions

Pinterest ads help your business drive traffic, attract new customers, and boost online sales. Brands can run ads across the platform and reach weekly pinners when they search or browse content.

Pinterest Ads Manager Overview

The Pinterest Ads Manager is where you create, manage, and track ad campaigns. It gives you insights on performance and helps you adjust your ads to meet business goals.

Types of Ads

• Promoted Ads: Paid pins that appear in search results and home feeds.
• Video Ads: Motion content for how tos, product demos, and behind the scenes content.
• Shopping Ads: Product-based ads that link to your website and drive online sales.
• Carousel Ads: Multi-image ads that users swipe through; great for product collections or step-by-step stories.
• Collection Ads: One main image with supporting product images; shoppable and mobile-friendly.
• Idea Ads: Multi-page format with videos, text, and images to tell a richer brand story.
• Showcase Ads: Brand-driven ad format with clickable pins to highlight multiple product lines.
• Quiz Ads: Interactive ad format that asks users questions and recommends products based on their answers.
• Premiere Spotlight Ads: Premium ad placement for top visibility in Pinterest search and feeds.

Target Features

Pinterest Ads Manager supports targeting by:

• Demographics: Age, gender, location.
• Interests: Based on user activity and saved content.
• Keyword targeting: Match your ads to user search queries using related keywords.

Optimize for ROAS (Return on Ad Spend)

To get better ROAS:

• Monitor Pinterest analytics to see which pins convert.
• Test different pin titles, images, and CTAs.
• Run A/B tests on targeting and bids.

Measure Ad Performance

Track:

• Impressions and reach
• Click-through rates (CTR)
• Online sales and conversions
• Cost per conversion

Adjust bids and targeting based on what the data shows. Pinterest works best for brands that run both organic and paid pins, keeping a steady stream of fresh content.

Pinterest Marketing Strategies That Deliver Results

Pinterest marketing is more than just posting images. It works best when you match content types to user intent and use a mix of formats to drive traffic, gain new customers, and boost online sales. These strategies are proven to deliver strong returns across different industries.

#1 Product Showcasing

Pinterest is a top platform for discovery and product planning. Shoppers often search for gift ideas, style inspiration, and DIY tools before they make a purchase. Use image pins that show your product in real-life use cases. Pins that feature products in action (like a couch in a decorated room or cookware in a recipe) tend to earn more saves and clicks.You can tag your products in your pins.

Combine lifestyle content with shoppable pins or Shopping Ads to send users straight to your website. Brands that combine both organic and paid product pins typically see stronger Pinterest analytics data on conversions.

#2 Video Pin Strategy

Video pins work well in competitive feeds where motion catches attention. Pinterest users engage with short-form video tutorials, unboxings, and behind the scenes content.

Use this format for:

• Step-by-step how tos
• Product assembly or usage
• Storytelling with voiceover or text overlay

Add keywords to the pin title, and make sure the video is mobile-optimized (vertical and under 60 seconds).

#3 Driving Traffic to Blogs & Websites

Pinterest is one of the best drivers of long-term blog traffic. Unlike other platforms where posts fade in hours, pins can stay active for months.

Create image pins or Idea Pins that promote:

• Blog post summaries
• Tips from your content
• Quotes or how-to steps

Link them to landing pages or blog articles on your site. Use strong CTAs like “Read More” or “See Full Post” to increase CTR. Track this using Pinterest analytics to see what pin titles pull the most visitors.

#4 Pinterest Story Pins Optimization

Idea Pins (formerly Story Pins) help brands build visibility within Pinterest itself. They allow you to post multi-slide content that stays on your profile.

Use Idea Pins to:

• Introduce product collections
• Share how tos in a visual step-by-step
• Give a tour of a brand story or customer journey

They’re saved and shared like regular pins, but without outbound links. Ideal for top-of-funnel engagement and discovery.

#5 Lead Generation Strategies

Pinterest users love planning and that’s your opening for lead gen. Create pins that offer value in exchange for emails.

Best formats:

• Freebie pins promoting downloads like guides, printables, or templates
• Landing page links for early access or gated content
• Promoted Idea Pins that end in a CTA to sign up

These pins can run as Pinterest ads (including Lead ads) and should always include keywords in the description for better visibility.

#6 Seasonal Campaigns

Pinterest search spikes around seasonal moments. Users plan early, so brands that post content 30–60 days before peak events usually win more visibility.

Plan content around:

• Holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day)
• Life events (weddings, back to school, graduation)
• Monthly themes (wellness in January, organizing in spring)

Match your pin content to trending search queries using the Pinterest Trends tool.

#7 Building Community

Pinterest is less about followers and more about content spread. Still, building a brand community pays off.

Use group boards to allow user contributions. Collaborate with creators on branded boards. Share how tos or tutorials that encourage responding or saving.

A strong Pinterest profile with fresh, consistent pins becomes a hub for repeat engagement.

#8 Scheduling Pins

Consistency matters more than frequency. Brands that post regularly build better authority in the Pinterest algorithm. Timing your pins based on audience activity helps improve impressions, clicks, and saves. Ensure to explore and adapt optimal posting time on Pinterest. 

Pinterest Analytics: Understand Your Performance

Pinterest analytics helps your business track what works and where to adjust. With a Pinterest business account, you gain access to powerful tools that show how users interact with your content.

Key Metrics to Track

• Impressions: How many times your pins appear in search or feeds.
• Saves: How many times users save your image pins to their boards or group boards.
• Click-Through Rates (CTR): The % of users who click your pins to visit your website.
• Conversion Rates: Percentage of traffic that completes a sale. Pinterest ads show up to 2.3× more cost-effective conversions than other social platforms

Audience Insights

See who engages with your pins:

• Demographics: Age, gender, location of weekly users.
• Interests: What topics and keywords your audience searches for.

Use this data to refine your Pinterest marketing and post content that matches user intent.

Custom Audience Creation

With Pinterest’s ads platform, you can build:

• Retargeting audiences: Show Pinterest ads to users who visited your site or engaged with your pins.
• Lookalike audiences: Reach new users who behave like your best customers.

A/B Testing

To get better results, test different Pin titles, Descriptions, Hashtags, and Image pins. See which versions drive more traffic, saves, and online sales. Use these insights to fine-tune your Pinterest marketing strategy.

Pinterest works best when you use Pinterest analytics regularly to check what your audience responds to and adjust your pinterest marketing based on real data.

Real-World Brands That Nailed Pinterest Marketing

Pinterest isn’t just for inspiration boards. Brands across industries use it to drive traffic, boost online sales, and grow their customer base. Here are three success stories showing how Pinterest marketing works when done right.

Sephora: Boosting Beauty Sales with Visual Pins

Industry: Retail / Beauty
Tactic: Integrated “Pin It” buttons on product pages and email footers to drive user interaction.
Results:

• 14,000+ pins from one email campaign
• 60% rise in referral traffic from Pinterest
• Pinterest users spent 15× more than Facebook users

Why it worked: Sephora leaned into Pinterest’s visual nature and user intent—pinning led shoppers to wishlist and gifting behavior, which boosted conversions.

Petplan: Content Marketing That Converts

Industry: Pet Insurance / Content-Driven
Tactic: Created dog breed boards with health info and care tips. Added Pinterest sharing buttons across their digital assets.
Results:

• #2 source of social referral traffic
• 69% more page views
• 12.5% jump in insurance quote requests

Why it worked: Useful content tailored by breed attracted engaged users, who stayed longer and converted better than visitors from other platforms.

Prada: High-End Ads That Perform

Industry: Luxury Fashion / Paid Ads
Tactic: Used Pinterest’s AI-powered Performance+ Ads with automated targeting to drive checkouts.
Results:

• 2.9× return on ad spend (ROAS) for checkouts
• 2× ROAS for add-to-cart events
• In Germany: 49% drop in CPC, 88% more engagement

Why it worked: Automated targeting matched intent with high-quality visuals, delivering scale and efficiency without manual setup.

Pinterest vs. Other Social Platforms: What Makes It Stick

Pinterest isn’t just another social app—it works differently and gives brands longer-term impact.

Longer Content Lifespan

Pins can stay active for months or even years, while posts on other platforms fade in hours. That means your image pins, blog content, and gift guides can keep driving traffic and reaching new customers long after you post.

Search‑Driven Discovery

Pinterest behaves like a visual search engine. Pins show up when people type keywords and look for inspiration. That contrasts with social feeds on platforms like Instagram or Facebook, where algorithms choose what shows up next.

Higher Purchase Intent

Users come to Pinterest ready to discover, plan, and often buy. Many are searching for gift ideas, DIY projects, or brand suggestions. When combined with Pinterest ads, this mindset boosts click-through and sales.

Visual Search Capabilities

Pinterest’s visual search features—like Lens—let users find products using images. Combined with well-placed pin titles and keywords, this tool helps your product show up at the right moment.

Less About Social Interaction

The platform focuses on discovery instead of detailed social conversations. That means your Pinterest marketing strategy can concentrate on creating great content, not managing comments or chasing likes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Pinterest Marketing

Skipping basics can waste your effort on Pinterest, even with great content. Here are four mistakes that can hold back your results:

Poor Visuals: Pins need to stop the scroll. Low-res images, cluttered designs, or bland stock photos blend in and get skipped. Use crisp, vertical image pins with strong contrast and readable text overlays to catch attention.

Ignoring SEO: Pinterest works like a search engine. If you skip keywords in your pin title, pin description, and board name, you won’t show up when users search. Add related keywords naturally so your content ranks higher in Pinterest search results.

Overposting Without Strategy: Posting dozens of pins without a plan doesn’t help. Pinterest marketing works best when pins are spaced out, each with a clear goal—whether it’s to drive traffic, promote products, or grow a blog.

Not Tracking Analytics: Pinterest analytics shows you what gets clicks, saves, and traffic. Without checking these numbers, it’s easy to miss what’s working—or keep doing what’s not. Use the data to adjust pin designs, content themes, and timing.

Tools and Resources for Pinterest Marketing

Getting results on Pinterest takes more than just good ideas. The right tools help you save time, design better pins, and grow faster.

RecurPost

This Pinterest-approved scheduler lets you batch content, post at peak hours, and keep your pinning consistent—even while you sleep. So choose Recurpost!

Design Tools

Use Canva or Adobe Express to create scroll-stopping pins fast. Both offer Pinterest-sized templates with drag-and-drop features.

Scheduling and Workflow

Tailwind helps schedule and queue pins in bulk. It also provides smart suggestions based on your audience’s behavior.

Analytics

Use Pinterest Analytics to track impressions, saves, and link clicks. Combine it with Google Analytics to see what drives the most traffic to your site.

SEO Research

Use Pinterest Keyword Tool and Google Trends to find trending searches and add relevant keywords in your pin descriptions, titles, and board names.

Final Thoughts

Pinterest works best for those who play the long game. It’s not about pinning daily, it’s about pinning smart and staying consistent. High-quality content wins over time.

Use Pinterest to build a steady funnel that feeds your blog, your shop, or your services. Make it part of your broader content and e-commerce plan—not just a side platform.

Start Pinterest marketing today and turn inspiration into clicks, leads, and real results.

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.