Pinterest SEO for Beginners: How to Rank Your Pins & Get More Traffic
When I first started using Pinterest for my business, I had no idea what I was doing. I pinned randomly, hoping that somehow, my content would magically land in front of the right people. I repinned posts from my home feed, created a few of my own without any real strategy, and crossed my fingers. But nothing happened. My traffic barely budged. My engagement was non-exsistent. I felt frustrated, overwhelmed, and honestly, a little defeated.
I knew Pinterest had the potential to drive massive traffic. I had heard stories of bloggers and business owners who built thriving businesses just by leveraging the power of Pinterest. So, I decided to dig in and figure out what I was doing wrong.
I watched countless YouTube videos, read articles, and experimented with different techniques. Over time, I started seeing patterns. The biggest game changer? Pinterest keyword research.
Once I started applying Pinterest SEO strategies, including proper keyword research and optimizing my Pinterest profile, boards and pins, my traffic started growing. Instead of blindly pinning and hoping for the best, I followed a system. And it worked. This blog post has everything I wish I had when I started. By the end of it, you’ll know exactly how to rank your pins on Pinterest and drive more Pinterest traffic—without the guesswork.
As a side note, if you are also struggling with your sales funnel set up or simply where to start in this who digital products world - then check out my free checklist below!
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A few things you may have heard about Pinterest that simply are not true.
Let's cover some of these misconceptions before we dive in to our action steps.
Myth #1: Pinterest is just social media
Pinterest is actually a search engine. It’s more like Google than Instagram. Which is great for business owners who know how to utilize this fact! You see, people come to Pinterest search looking for answers, inspiration, and ideas. If you don’t optimize your content for Pinterest SEO, then you are missing out on people SEARCHING for your product.
Myth #2: You just need to pin a lot
Many people believe the more you pin, the better. But quality matters way more than quantity. Pinning 50 times a day without a Pinterest SEO strategy won’t help if your content isn’t optimized. It could also lead you to being marked as spam, this is obviously not good for business.
Myth #3: Keywords don’t matter.
Some assume that Pinterest SEO is complicated or unnecessary. The truth? Pinterest keywords are everything. If you use the right Pinterest search keywords in the right places, your pins will reach your ideal audience.
Action Steps
So, how do you actually rank your pins and get more Pinterest traffic? Here’s the step by step process:
Step 1: Pinterest Keyword Research
Everything starts with finding the right Pinterest keywords. These are the words and phrases people are actually searching for on Pinterest. Using these words in the right places will put your pins in front of an audience that are looking for products like yours.
Use Pinterest Search:
Type a broad term into the Pinterest search bar. Look at the suggested searches - it’s telling you what people are searching for.
Check Pinterest Trends:
Go to Pinterest Trends to see which Pinterest keywords are rising in popularity.
Look at Competitor Pins:
Find high performing Pinterest pins in your niche. What Pinterest SEO keywords are they using in their titles and descriptions?
Step 2: Optimize Your Pinterest Profile
Your Pinterest profile should be SEO-friendly so Pinterest understands what your content is about.
Use Pinterest SEO keywords in your profile name and bio.
Organize your boards with clear, keyword-rich titles.
Write detailed Pinterest board descriptions with relevant Pinterest search keywords.
Step 3: Optimize Your Pins for Pinterest SEO
Every Pinterest pin needs to be optimized so Pinterest can rank it properly.
Pin Title: Include your main Pinterest keyword.
Pin Description: Use a mix of primary and related Pinterest keywords naturally.
Alt Text: Add a descriptive Pinterest alt text that tells Pinterest what’s in the image.
URL: Link to a relevant blog post, product, or landing page.
Step 4: Pin Consistently
Pinterest favors active users. Aim to pin daily instead of dumping all your content at once. Use a scheduler like Tailwind to keep things consistent and aligned with your Pinterest SEO strategy.
Step 5: Track & Adjust Your Pinterest SEO Strategy
SEO is not a “set it and forget it” strategy. Trends change. Keywords shift.
Every quarter, aim to do a review of your Pinterest profile and Pinterest SEO keywords:
Are certain keywords underperforming? Swap them out.
Are some Pinterest pins taking off? Create similar content.
Are new trends emerging? Adjust your Pinterest keyword strategy.
Upkeep
Once you start seeing results, you need to keep up the momentum. Here’s how:
Update Pinterest Keywords Quarterly: Trends shift. Pinterest search terms evolve. Make it a habit to refresh your Pinterest profile and Pinterest board keywords every few months.
Analyze Your Pinterest Analytics: Use Pinterest Analytics to see what’s working. Double down on what’s driving Pinterest traffic.
Stay Consistent: Pinterest rewards consistency. Even if you’re short on time, aim to pin a few times per week while maintaining Pinterest SEO best practices.
Issues That May Arise
If you’re implementing these steps but not seeing results, here’s what might be happening:
Problem:
My pins aren’t getting impressions.
Solution:
Check if you’re using high-volume Pinterest keywords.
If your keywords are too niche, they might not get much traction.
Problem:
My traffic increased, then dropped.
Solution:
This is normal. Pinterest trends fluctuate.
Keep pinning consistently and updating your Pinterest SEO strategy.
Problem:
I feel overwhelmed with Pinterest SEO.
Solution:
Focus on one step at a time. Start with Pinterest keyword research.
Once you get comfortable, move on to Pinterest pin optimization.
My Final Notes on SEO
Pinterest SEO doesn’t have to be complicated. By following a simple system - doing Pinterest keyword research, optimizing your Pinterest profile and pins, and staying consistent - you’ll start seeing real results. More visibility. More Pinterest traffic. More growth.
Now it’s your turn. Start applying these steps today and watch your Pinterest SEO results take off!
Kelcie
I believe in building a business that works around your life—not the other way around. I help moms turn their ideas into digital products and grow their income in a simple, sustainable way.
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