Home » Blog » Pinterest SEO: Tips for Improving Visibility
Pinterest and search engine optimization (SEO). Not words you typically see used together, right?
However, SEO isn’t just vital for search engines like Google and Bing. With people increasingly using Pinterest for information and product discovery, search optimization on the platform is no longer optional — at least not if you want to boost your visibility. Whether you’re an influencer looking to earn from your creations on Pinterest, a brand manager who wants to increase product awareness, or a content creator looking to build a like-minded community, SEO needs to be a top priority.
This guide dives into Pinterest SEO, exploring what it is, why it matters, and how to optimize your profile and content.
What Is Pinterest SEO?
PinterestSEO involves optimizing your profile, Pins, and Boards to improve search rankings. It’s similar to Google or Bing SEO, as it aims to increase visibility for your content. It’s also similar in that it requires you to create great content and use relevant keywords to meet searchers’ needs and align with their search terms.
However, Pinterest uses different ranking factors from leading search engines. Sure, content quality and keywords are key factors for both, but they’re not the only ones. Pinterest also prioritizes social shares and audience engagement — the higher your metrics, the more likely you are to rank high on feeds and search results.
Search engines like Google, on the other hand, pay attention to backlinks and technical factors such as site speed, ease of navigation, and mobile-friendliness.
Why Invest in Pinterest SEO?
Let’s be honest: Pinterest SEO can be challenging, especially if you’re already juggling your website and other social media platforms. Is it worth the extra effort? Without a doubt! Here’s why:
Pinterest registers 600 million monthly active users: The platform provides access to one of the largest audiences. If you play your cards right, you could reach people you never thought you would.
Crowds are moving away from traditional search engines: People are choosing platforms like Pinterest over engines like Google for information and product discovery. In fact, 36% of consumers say they start their searches on Pinterest, not Google. If you position your profile and content to rank high, you could generate significant traffic and engagement from these crowds.
Pinterest receives high-intent audiences: Searchers on Pinterest don’t just want information; many want to shop. This could mean more conversions for your brand — if you rank well.
Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT use Pinterest: The platform is a key source of information for LLMs because it organizes visual content semantically, making it easier for them to understand. As people increasingly lean on LLMs for information, optimized profiles and Pins may help direct more traffic to your account.
Tips for Improving Pinterest SEO
Pinterest ranks content based on search relevance, content quality, and engagement. With that in mind, here are SEO tips that can help increase your Pinterest traffic:
1. Find Relevant Keywords
Keywords are your best friend when it comes to any type of SEO. Start by identifying the terms or phrases your target audience uses when searching for information or products in your niche.
One way to do this is to put yourself in your target audience’s shoes. Then ask yourself, “How would I search for product X on Pinterest?” If you’re having trouble coming up with phrases, use tools like Semrush and Ahrefs. All you need to do is enter a “seed” keyword, and they’ll generate related versions, including long-tail keywords, based on their usage across the web.
Alternatively, use Pinterest’s search bar to find ideas. Tap the search icon, enter a word or phrase related to your content, and go through the list of predicted phrases. For example, if you’re a food content creator, enter “Cooking” into your search bar. Pinterest’s search engine will then predict your search phrase based on what users typically search for.
2. Optimize Your Profile
Your profile is a lot like your online business card. So, make sure it communicates everything it needs to. Ideally, it should let your target audience (and the Pinterest algorithm) know who you are, who you serve, and what you offer or do. It should also include relevant keywords to boost your discoverability. Say you’re a fashion content creator. Your profile description could look something like, “Serving daily fashion inspo. Helping you look elegant and put-together without trying too hard.”
While you’re optimizing your profile, remember to do the same for your username. Create a memorable username that features relevant keywords to make it easy for your audience to find you and for the Pinterest algorithm to categorize your account.
Note: Your username will be included in your Pinterest URL.
As mentioned earlier, engagement is a key ranking factor on Pinterest. So, anything that boosts interactions should be at the top of your list.
One of the best ways to get people to engage with your content is to make sure it’s valuable. Come up with original concepts and take high-quality videos and images that align with your niche and your target audience’s needs.
4. Optimize Each Pin
Pin optimization is great not only for Pinterest rankings but also for external search engines — Pins can appear in indexed search results on platforms like Google. There are various ways to optimize your Pins, including:
Use high-quality visuals.
Post vertical images with a 2:3 aspect ratio (Pinterest tends to favor this type of content).
Add concise text to Pins to communicate their value.
Use descriptive, keyword-rich alt tags to help the Pinterest algorithm understand your posts.
Add relevant keywords to Pin titles and descriptions to boost your posts’ discoverability.
Pinterest Boards are valuable for several reasons. One, they can help show your expertise in a particular niche, boosting your account’s overall engagement. Two, they make it easier for both the Pinterest algorithm and audiences to understand your content, which can improve discoverability and engagement.
So, don’t overlook them. Organize Pins with related themes and add them to relevant Boards, making sure to:
Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions. For example, if you organize fashion content by season, you could use “Fall Street Style” as the title for your Fall Board.
Consistently add fresh content to relevant Boards.
Remove underperforming or off-topic Pins.
6. Cross-Promote Your Content
Pinterest SEO isn’t isolated. In fact, you shouldn’t confine yourself to just Pinterest.
Share your content across different platforms to drive traffic and engagement to your account. The more your engagements, the more valuable your content appears to the algorithm, resulting in better search rankings.
Here are some cross-promotion ideas that might boost your engagement:
Embed Pin URLs in relevant blog posts. This is a win-win: you not only direct traffic to your Pinterest account but also provide supporting imagery for blog readers.
Add Pin links to newsletters.
Add Pins to tweets to give X users visual context.
Promote your Pins on Instagram and TikTok Stories.
7. Explore Pinterest Trends
Pinterest Trends is one of the best resources on the platform. It shows what’s popular on Pinterest based on users’ searches and engagements, helping you stay informed on current interests.
This feature can surface popular keywords in your niche to help boost your discoverability. It also highlights popular content types, which can come in handy when brainstorming Pin ideas.
The best thing about Pinterest Trends is that it provides information based on actual data. So, you don’t have to guess what resonates with Pinterest users when trying to increase your engagement numbers.
8. Maintain Consistency
We know what you’re thinking: what does consistency have to do with SEO? The answer? A lot. As with search engines like Google, Pinterest’s algorithm prioritizes fresh content. The more active you are, the likelier you are to have fresh Pins for the algorithm to recommend.
What’s more, consistency signals that your Pinterest account is active. And, there’s little the algorithm loves more than active users.
If you have trouble maintaining consistency, lean on automation solutions like GeeLark’s AI-powered templates. GeeLark is an antidetect platform offering both antidetect browsers and cloud phones. These solutions come in handy when you’re managing multiple Pinterest accounts and want to keep them isolated to prevent linking.
Beyond providing antidetect solutions, GeeLark also facilitates Pinterest automation to make your work easier. It can publish Pins across all your Pinterest accounts, helping you maintain consistency at scale.
Here’s how to leverage GeeLark for Pinterest consistency:
Follow your chosen template’s requirements. You’ll need to upload your content, add relevant details (such as titles), and select your preferred publishing date.
Verify your settings and tap Confirm publication. GeeLark will take it from there, so you never have to worry about missing your posting schedule.
Keep an eye on Pins’ analytics to identify what works and doesn’t. This way, you can make informed adjustments to your SEO strategy.
Some key metrics to monitor include:
Impressions: Reveals how often your Pins appear on users’ screens. If you find Pins with specific keywords have a high number of impressions, use more of those keywords in future content to enhance your discoverability.
Saves: Shows how many people save your Pins to a board. A high number of saves indicates your content is visible and that it resonates with your target audience. So, replicate what gets you the most saves.
Engagements: Encompasses a wide range of interactions, including likes, comments, saves, shares, carousel swipes, and Pin clicks. As with other metrics, a high number of engagements signals that what you’re doing is working.
Luckily, you don’t have to track these metrics manually; Pinterest can do it for you. The only catch? You need to upgrade to a Pinterest Business account (which is completely free, btw) to unlock Analytics.
Boost Pin Visibility With Pinterest SEO
SEO is not just vital for traditional search engines like Google. As search traffic increasingly shifts to Pinterest, Pinterest SEO is a must as well.
To optimize your account and content for search, use relevant keywords in your profile, username, Pin titles, descriptions, and Boards. Also, be sure to maintain consistent posting and leverage features such as Pinterest Trends and Pinterest Analytics to generate content ideas and gain insights into which SEO strategies are working.
GeeLark can help you maintain consistency on Pinterest by automating image and video posting. Whether you’re operating a couple of accounts or dozens of profiles, the platform has you covered. All you need to do is create your content, upload it to GeeLark, and pick your preferred posting date (and time).
Yes. Optimizing your profile and Pins by using relevant keywords helps the Pinterest algorithm categorize your content more effectively. This can enhance your discoverability on the platform. Other strategies, such as creating high-value content and cross-promoting Pins, boost engagement. This signals value to the algorithm, which often results in better rankings in Pinterest’s search results.
Without a doubt. Google SEO will help you rank higher on the search engine, while Pinterest SEO will enhance your visibility on the platform. With some people using Pinterest as their go-to search engine, Pinterest SEO can help you capture quite a number of leads and customers.
Sure. Effective SEO gets more eyes on your Pins and your account in general. If your niche and content resonate with the Pinterest users you’re shown to, you might gain new followers.
