To make Pinterest worth your time, you have to play by its current rules and leverage its features. Here’s how to get the most out of it this year:
Optimize for SEO: Think of Pinterest like Google. Research keywords within Pinterest (use the search bar and note the suggestions, or use Pinterest Trends tool for insight). Optimize your pin titles, descriptions, and board names with relevant keywords. For example, instead of titling a pin “Summer Vibes,” title it “Summer Outfit Ideas – Boho Beach Fashion.” Specific, descriptive titles with keywords will get shown more. Also ensure your board descriptions and profile bio contain keywords about your niche.
Use Fresh, Custom Images: Design eye-catching vertical images for your content. Canva is your friend here for creating beautiful pin graphics. In 2025, overly re-sharing the same image is counterproductive – each new blog post or content piece should have a few fresh pin images made. Even updating older content? Make a new pin for it with updated imagery. Pins with text overlays explaining what the content is about often perform well (e.g., “10 DIY Desk Ideas for Small Spaces” written on the image). This immediately tells users why to click.
Leverage Idea Pins: Even though Idea Pins (which are tappable multi-page posts) don’t allow clickable links for most users, don’t ignore them. Idea Pins can build your following and engagement on Pinterest, which indirectly boosts the reach of your regular pins. They’re great for sharing quick value: a 5-step recipe, a before-and-after series, a mini how-to. They also support stickers, music, and detail pages where you can tag things or add ingredients, etc. These are favored in the algorithm (Pinterest has been pushing them), so use them especially for content that’s inspiring or teaching something quick. Pro tip: You can repurpose your TikToks or Reels into Idea Pins – just remove watermarks and ensure the content suits Pinterest’s generally more positive and useful vibe.
Consistency and Patience: Pinterest is a slow burn, especially compared to the overnight virality we see on TikTok. It might take a couple of months for a new account or a new content strategy to really start seeing results. Commit to pinning consistently – ideally daily or a few times a week – whether that’s new content or resharing your old content with fresh pins. According to Pinterest experts, patience is key: many creators don’t see significant traffic until ~3-6 months of consistent activity, but then it can compound. The platform literally rewards longevity and consistency.
Engage as a User: While Pinterest isn’t a typical “social” network, there are still ways to engage. Follow other pinners in your niche, comment on popular pins (thoughtful comments can get you noticed), and maintain your profile. If users ask questions on your pins, respond. Also, create boards that aren’t just your content. Curate boards on topics related to your niche – this boosts your profile’s value as a destination. For example, if you’re a travel blogger, in addition to your own travel posts, have boards like “Bucket List Destinations” or “Travel Hacks” where you pin others’ high-quality content. It sounds counterintuitive, but having robust boards makes people more likely to follow you, which then boosts your own content’s reach. Just remember, curation is secondary now – original content is primary. So, use others’ pins to support your profile’s theme, but focus mostly on publishing your own content.
Monitor Analytics: Pinterest provides analytics for business accounts (which are free to have). Check which pins are getting saves and clicks. Often, you’ll find surprises – maybe an older pin suddenly took off. These insights can guide your content strategy. For instance, if “easy keto snacks” pins do really well for you, you might decide to make more content on that topic and pin it. Analytics also show you what format works (e.g., maybe your video pins get more saves than static pins, or vice versa). Double down on what performs.