What is Pinterest SEO?
Pinterest SEO is about optimizing your profile, boards, and pins so they show up higher in Pinterest searches. To get noticed, use well-designed images with relevant alt text, write clear titles and descriptions, and post fresh content regularly.
The goal is to get more people to your pins and drive organic traffic to your website. Simple things like claiming your website, organizing pins into boards that match your audience’s interests, and mixing up your posts with images, videos, and Rich Pins can help you reach more people on Pinterest.
How does Pinterest SEO work?
The Pinterest algorithm uses four indicators to determine how Pins rank in search results:
- Domain quality: Pinterest looks at how often people pin and interact with content from your website to determine how credible it is. If your Pins are popular and relevant, your site will be seen as more trustworthy on the platform.
- Pin Quality: Pins with a lot of saves, clicks, and comments rank higher in search results because they show strong engagement.
- Pinner quality: Consistently pinning and engaging with others’ content shows Pinterest that you’re actively contributing to the platform.
- Topic relevance: Pinterest matches the keywords in your Pin titles, descriptions, and board names with what users search for.
For example, if someone looks up “vegan lasagna recipe,” Pins that include those exact words will have a better chance of ranking, and the top results will look something like this: 
These top-ranking results share a few key traits. They all have tens of comments, saves, and clicks, which signals pin quality to Pinterest.
Additionally, the accounts posting these pins often have large followings and consistently engage with the platform, which showcases their pinner quality.
Lastly, these pins include relevant keywords in their titles and descriptions (topic relevance) and come from websites that are frequently pinned and interacted with (domain quality).
If you follow in the same footsteps, you can improve your chances of having your Pins appear in top search results, and even on Google. Are you ready to learn how?
How to improve SEO on Pinterest:
- Research relevant keywords
- Create and optimize your Pinterest profile
- Set traffic and conversion goals for your business
- Optimize your website for Pinterest
- Learn the anatomy of a Pin
- Create Rich Pins
- Organize and optimize your boards
- Pin content consistently
- Follow and join other relevant boards
- Find and jump on Pinterest trends
- Test out Promoted Pins
- Link your Pinterest account to your other social media accounts
1. Research relevant keywords
When you Google something, it shows you websites that match your query. Pinterest search results work almost the same, but instead of websites, you get Pins related to your query.
For your content to get discovered, find which terms your audience may be interested in by using Pinterest’s search bar as a keyword research tool. Start typing a general term, and Pinterest will suggest more specific phrases based on what people are actively searching for.
It’s also advisable to check out your competitors. Look at the top-ranking results that appear for your target keywords to learn how they use them in their titles, descriptions, and hashtags. This will show you what works best on Pinterest.
2. Create and optimize your Pinterest profile
If you haven’t already, switch to a free Pinterest business account. A business account lets you access Pinterest Analytics and the Pinterest Business Hub, which provide more in-depth tools to help you optimize your content.
For your username, go with something that reflects your account’s focus. Since it also appears in your Pinterest profile URL, it should be easy to spot and relevant to your industry. If it makes sense, include a keyword related to your niche, like “recipes” or “home decor,” to help people find you in searches.
When writing your bio, explain what you’re all about and tell visitors why they might want to follow your account. Avoid stuffing it with keywords, but include a few relevant ones where they feel natural. This way, you attract the right audience while keeping your profile engaging and authentic.
Finally, add a profile picture that represents your brand. If you’re a business, your logo is a great choice. Otherwise, use a clear and professional-looking image that makes it easy for people to recognize you when scrolling.
3. Set traffic and conversion goals for your business
Look at your current Pinterest traffic and conversion rates to see where you stand. Then, decide where it makes the most sense to put your energy, be that traffic, conversions, or engagement.
Be specific with your targets. Don’t settle for “getting more traffic.” Create something measurable, like “increase product page visits by 35% in three months.” This lets you set a clear direction and makes it easier to see what’s working.
Finally, since Pinterest trends and algorithms evolve, revisit your goals regularly and adjust your strategy to stay on track.
4. Optimize your website for Pinterest
Pinterest SEO doesn’t end on the platform itself. You also have to make your website Pinterest-ready.
Here’s how you can optimize your site for Pinterest:
- Install the Pinterest Tag: The Pinterest Tag helps you track what visitors do after clicking on your Pinterest ads. It lets you measure conversions, understand your audience better, and adjust your strategy to improve results.
- Add the Save Button: Make it easy for people to share your content by adding the Pinterest Save button to your website. You can place it on images or as a fixed icon all over your site. When users click on it, they can save your post to their Pinterest boards, allowing your content to reach a wider audience effortlessly.
- Verify and link your site: To claim your website on Pinterest, go to Pinterest’s Business Hub, where you can upload an HTML file, add an HTML tag to your site’s code, or update your domain’s DNS settings with a TXT record. Once you’ve done that, submit it on Pinterest.
After approval, your site will be officially linked to your profile. You can check your claimed websites anytime under Settings > Claimed Accounts.
5. Learn the anatomy of a Pin
Do you know what makes a Pin successful? It’s not just the eye-catching visuals or creative content; it’s how well it drives traffic and engagement to your site.
Here’s how to create an optimized Pin:
- Optimize titles and descriptions
- Perfect for visual search
- Use alt text for your images
- Add backlinks to your website
A. Optimize titles and descriptions
Your Pin’s title and description help people discover your content, so make them clear and relevant. Use keywords naturally in the title to match what users might be searching for. In the description, provide a bit more detail about your Pin and why it’s helpful. Adding a call to action like “Learn more” or “Shop now” can also encourage clicks.
B. Perfect for visual search
Since Pinterest is a visual search engine, high-quality images matter. Bright, clear, and eye-catching photos tend to perform best. Pinterest’s visual search tool identifies objects in images, so make sure your content is easy to understand at a glance. If you’re showcasing a product or idea, make it the centerpiece of the image to increase its chances of being seen.
Also, go for images that offer something valuable, like outfit ideas or handy tips that people will want to save and come back to later.
C. Use alt text for your images
Alt-text doesn’t only exist for accessibility reasons, as it also helps Pinterest understand what’s in your image and improves its chances of appearing in search results. Write a short, keyword-rich description that explains what the image shows and how it connects to your content.
D. Add backlinks to your website
Each Pin should redirect Pinterest users to your website, so add links to a relevant page where users can dive deeper into the post or check out your products. This creates a smooth transition from your Pin to your site and makes the whole experience better for users.
6. Create Rich Pins
Rich Pins pull important details directly from your website and keeps your pins updated automatically. When you update the information on your site, those changes will reflect on your Pinterest pins without extra work.
There are three main types of Rich Pins:
- Recipe Rich Pins show ingredients, cooking time, and serving sizes directly on Pinterest. This makes it easier for users to decide if they want to check out the full recipe on your website.
- Article Rich Pins display the headline, author, and a short summary of the article. This gives users a preview of the content before they click, thus attracting more engaged readers.
- Product Rich Pins automatically update your pricing, availability, and purchase details when you make changes on your website. This keeps the information accurate and helps potential buyers make informed decisions.
To get started with Rich Pins, use Pinterest’s Rich Pin Validator to get approved. Afterward, any content on your site that includes metadata will automatically become a Rich Pin when pinned.
7. Organize and optimize your boards
Keeping your Pinterest boards organized makes it easier for people to find the content they want to see.
Start with clear, keyword-focused board titles. When you create boards, instead of generic names like “Furniture” or “Design,” go for something more specific, like “Easy Bathroom Decor” or “Budget Kitchen Renovation Tips.” This makes your boards more searchable and increases the chances of users finding them when looking for similar content.
Don’t overlook board descriptions. Use this space to briefly describe what users will find on the board, but don’t forget keywords. A solid description should improve your SEO and encourage people to follow your board.
Organize your boards by selecting the right categories and placing your most important ones at the top of your profile so they’re easy to find. You can also create a “Featured” board to highlight your best pins and showcase what your brand or blog is all about.
To keep your boards fresh, regularly add fresh Pins and remove outdated or underperforming ones.
8. Pin content consistently
Staying active on Pinterest helps keep your content visible. A good approach is to pin about three times a day at different times to stay consistent without overloading your audience.
While the best posting times can vary, certain time windows seem to get more engagement. Try pinning on Tuesdays at 9 AM or 12 PM, Wednesdays at 1 PM or 6 PM, Thursdays at 12 PM or 3 PM, Fridays at 10 AM or 5 PM, and Saturdays at 11 AM or 2 PM. Testing different times can help you find what works best for your audience.
