Pinterest is an image-based social media platform that turns browsing into action. Users search for ideas—dinner ideas, fashion, home décor—and the algorithm returns a selection of photos and videos curated to pique their interest and match their taste. Pinterest users are looking for all types of inspiration, from dinner ideas to fashion advice and interior decorating tips.
Inspiration, in many cases, naturally leads to shopping. A user who finds an intriguing recipe may need a new specialty pan or whisk, while someone looking for holiday decorating ideas might require a new glue gun and 15 pounds of cotton balls. With the right content, ecommerce businesses can use Pinterest to harness consumer enthusiasm and drive sales.
Learn how to build a following and capture attention to get more views on Pinterest.
How to get more views on Pinterest
- Write detailed descriptions
- Optimize your boards
- Complete your profile
- Prioritize visual appeal
- Use paid promotions
- Experiment with rich pins
- Use a variety of pin formats
- Add functional content
- Add trending content
- Establish a publishing cadence
- Leverage analytics
Attracting viewers is the first step toward generating sales with Pinterest. Pinterest views lead to follower growth, engagement, and better search rankings. In time, increased visibility can drive website traffic and increase conversions. Use these tips to build a solid foundation and earn more Pinterest views:
Write detailed descriptions
Pinterest descriptions are short, written blurbs that tell users what your pins are about. The Pinterest algorithm uses these descriptions to interpret content and display it when users conduct a related search. Writing detailed descriptions and including relevant keywords can help get your content in front of the right audience.
Accuracy and search engine optimization (SEO) both matter when writing descriptions. To optimize your descriptions, use keywords that reflect natural search language—these may be more effective than jargon-heavy or salesy language. To promote a mini-fridge, for example, the description “beautiful mini fridge for small spaces” might be more effective than “stainless steel fridge with 3.3 cubic feet storage capacity.” The first option mirrors the phrasing an organic user might search for.
The Pinterest search bar can help you discover the right keywords. Enter a general search term related to your brand or content and review the list of autocomplete suggestions. These suggestions reveal real queries used on the platform, showing you exactly what your potential customers are already searching for.
Optimize your boards
Organizing your pins into boards provides additional information that can help content appear in the right search results. In SEO terms, if the pin description is like the page copy, the board structure is like website architecture. It provides broad or thematic information that helps the algorithm categorize content. For maximum exposure, consider participating in group boards—shared boards where multiple users can collaborate by adding content.
Complete your profile
Make sure that your Pinterest profile is complete with a name, profile picture, cover image, and short bio. Including these elements shows the platform that you are a high-quality, engaged user. Maximize appeal and visibility by using on-brand imagery and including keywords in your bio. For increased marketing functionality, consider upgrading to a free business account. Pinterest business accounts can access advanced performance analytics and create rich pins.
Prioritize visual appeal
Pinterest is a visual platform—a strong lead image is essential to a pin’s success. The cover photo, sometimes accompanied by a short title, appears in search results. Using an eye-catching image is the primary way that a pin can attract clicks and views.
In the example below, cookware company Caraway displayed its multi-cooker pot in an unconventional setting. Using an artful composition instead of a standard product shot helps make this image memorable.
Use paid promotions
Putting money behind your pins increases visibility. Business accounts can promote pins by purchasing Pinterest ads. To execute a promotion, buyers select target keywords for ad placement and pay with cost per thousand impressions (CPM) or cost per view model. Pinterest advertisements appear in user search results. They resemble standard pins with the exception of a small sponsored tag beneath the image, as seen in the example below. Pinterest offers several different types of ads; the best choice depends on your campaign goals.
Experiment with rich pins
Rich pins incorporate additional information directly from your website or other included links. Including more content in your pins can increase engagement, which increases search performance and boosts Pinterest views. Pinterest supports three different types of rich pins: recipe pins, product pins, and article pins.
If you’ve already put a lot of effort into crafting well-written and photographed product pages, for example, you have nothing to lose in resharing that content in the form of rich pins on Pinterest. Your website builder likely has an integration that you can use to automatically feed your Pinterest account with your ecommerce store content. Such is the case with Shopify; with the Pinterest app from the Shopify Store, you can share, track, and promote your products on the platform.
Use a variety of pin formats
In addition to rich pins, Pinterest supports image pins, video pins, product pins, and idea pins. Using a variety of pin formats can help attract new users to your content. Individual users may have different personal content preferences, so sharing a variety of pins can help get you in front of the widest possible audience.
Mixing up the format makes your profile more dynamic and engaging. It can also be a way to showcase the same product in multiple posts without creating repetitive content.
Add functional content
Stunning imagery will always have a home on Pinterest, but practical, functional infographics have a place as well. Functional content, like a visual guide or a cheat sheet, provides helpful information. When content is genuinely useful, users may be more likely to save or repin it. This engagement helps improve search ranking and ultimately generate more views.
In the example below, Ruggable created a visual guide that shows users how different rug sizes look in a living room setting. This information may help shoppers decide what size product fits their needs.
Source: Rubbable via Pinterest
Add trending content
Trending content has broad appeal, and sharing trendy pins is a way to access a general audience. Pinterest offers a free trends tool and a free annual Marketing Moments guide to help users learn more about what’s popular. Content opportunities include trending product categories and seasonal marketing. Using a content calendar can help your team plan for annual or recurring events with a baked-in audience.
Establish a publishing cadence
Pinterest recommends publishing content every week. According to the platform, creating new pins encourages more engagement and improves discoverability. Establishing a regular publishing cadence also shows Pinterest that your account is active, which increases your odds of a favorable search ranking. For best practices, flesh out a content calendar that strikes a balance between quality and quantity. Frequently sharing low-effort or generic pins won’t help attract more viewers.
Leverage analytics
Review content performance and platform data to refine and improve your Pinterest strategy. Business accounts can use Pinterest’s native analytics tool to access performance metrics like post impressions, engagement rate, and pin clicks. The platform also provides audience demographic data and a custom affinity score. In addition to information about viewer age, gender, and location, these insights highlight your followers’ unique interests.
Understanding the type of content that your audience responds to can inform your pinning strategy. Account owners can tailor pins to their followers’ preferences based on past performance.
How to get views on Pinterest FAQ
How do I get my Pinterest to be seen?
To get views on Pinterest, start by sharing high-quality content weekly. Increased search visibility comes from keyword-rich descriptions and using high-quality images that make users stop scrolling. Organizing your pins into boards can help users discover relevant content as well.
How much does Pinterest pay for 1,000 views?
Pinterest doesn’t directly compensate users. Creators can earn money with a popular Pinterest account by forming paid brand partnerships or using affiliate links to promote products. Account holders can also generate income by using Pinterest to drive more traffic to a separate site, such as a blog, that earns advertising revenue.
How do you get Pinterest traffic?
To drive traffic with Pinterest, focus on creating optimized pins and building a strong platform presence. Maintain an active account populated with high-quality content to develop a Pinterest audience. Write compelling descriptions, use keywords strategically, and add links to pins to convert Pinterest views into website traffic.
