SEO on Pinterest: Enhancing Your Brand’s Digital Footprint

In the digital marketing realm, Pinterest stands out as a unique and powerful platform for brands looking to expand their online presence. With over 483 million monthly active users, Pinterest is not just a social network.

Pinterest is a visual search engine.

This makes Search Engine Optimization (SEO) on Pinterest a critical strategy for businesses aiming to increase their visibility and engagement. This article delves into effective SEO strategies for Pinterest, helping your brand to shine in this visually driven market.

Understanding Pinterest SEO

I bet you have wondered how to do SEO on Pinterest correctly so that it will start driving traffic to your site.

 

Maybe you've tried a certain Pinterest growth strategy but it seems not to work for your business. You may think that you know how to set up a Pinterest business account correctly. You've done it already. Everything should be good now.

You have great ideas for your Pinterest boards with fun names. You have already created Pinterest pins with great photos and different fonts. You've done everything but nothing seems to work.

 

Many brands that I've helped previously have thought those same thoughts. 

But...when I took a closer look at their Pinterest account, I pretty quickly realized that their Pinterest account setup has not been optimal for Pinterest marketing purposes.

❌ It is NOT enough that you have written something quirky to your Pinterest bio or created funny, creative names for Pinterest boards.

❌ It is not enough that you have taken pretty photos or used stock photos, and uploaded them to your Pinterest boards.

 

You need to strategically optimize your Pinterest business account for Pinterest SEO.

Pinterest SEO involves optimizing your pins, boards, and profile to increase your content’s visibility in search results.

Unlike traditional search engines that rely heavily on text, Pinterest’s algorithm prioritizes high-quality images, making visual appeal a significant factor in your SEO strategy. 🍋

The key lies in understanding how users interact with Pinterest and how they search for content.

👉🏻 So, start using keywords on your Pinterest business account. This should be your number one goal when you create your Pinterest business account. And also when you create your pins and Pinterest boards.

🥐 Pinterest business account optimization is the most important FIRST thing to do when you start using your Pinterest business account strategically. 🥐

When you optimize everything it will eventually give you enormous benefits for SEO on Pinterest over other pinners who don't know optimization “secrets” or are too lazy to use them.

 

These Pinterest tips are really simple. You just need to take action and DO them!

 

The prerequisite for my Pinterest marketing tips to work like a charm is that you have already verified your website.

 

 

5 SIMPLE STEPS FOR BETTER SEO ON PINTEREST

 

STEP 1 - HOW TO FIND RIGHT KEYWORDS

Like any SEO strategy, keywords play a pivotal role on Pinterest.

Figure out the main keywords that you want to use for Pinterest SEO.

What are the keywords that you want to be found on Pinterest? Or on Google?

Start by researching keywords relevant to your brand and audience. If you don't know them yet, use Pinterest’s guided search feature to find out the best keywords for your niche.

When you search for your best Pinterest keywords use the Pinterest search bar.

The best Pinterest keyword combination (i.e. long-tail keywords) for my search term “Pinterest marketing” according to Pinterest is:

Pinterest marketing Tips, and the next best is Pinterest marketing Strategy.

Pinterest will tell you the most searched word combinations from left to right.

💡 You can start searching for the best Pinterest keyword combinations by typing your main Pinterest keyword into the Pinterest search bar.

• In case you see over 10 tiles/bubbles underneath your Pinterest search term, your keywords are relatively good Pinterest keywords.

• If you don’t see any tiles/bubbles below your keyword, try another one as that Pinterest keyword is not searched for on Pinterest.

• If you use other languages than English, you do not need lots of tiles/bubbles under your search term, and you can still be found with your Pinterest keywords.

If you want to start using Pinterest in the Finnish language, check out my Pinterest Akatemia online course. Jos haluat oppia kaiken avainsanoista Pinterestissä, kurkkaa Pinterest Akatemia verkkokurssiini.

👉🏻 What keywords to choose on Pinterest?

Choose the ones that will best apply to your content and your brand.

I recommend that you create a spreadsheet (I use Google Sheets) where you will put your Pinterest keyword combinations. You will need those later!

You can also check via Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest how your Pinterest keywords are working on Google. These keyword tools will also tell you ideas for other highly searched keywords or phrases that are related to your Pinterest keyword.

 

In addition, one really easy way to figure out your Pinterest keywords is also to use Google's predictive text. It tells you what word combinations have been searched on Google when you search for your keyword/keywords. You just need to make sure that those keywords are searched on Pinterest as well.

 

STEP 2 - OPTIMISE YOUR PINTEREST BUSINESS ACCOUNT

Start optimizing your Pinterest business account. This is not the easiest part of Pinterest marketing but so worth it. So, do NOT skip this!

If you want me to do the work for you, check out my Pinterest Kickstart service.

Use your main keyword(s) in your Pinterest profile. Your profile should be readable, so don't overuse your keywords.

Put your Pinterest keywords to your Pinterest profile name, your business name, your Pinterest account description, and also your Pinterest boards and pin descriptions.

Your boards should be organized and themed around specific keywords. Name your boards with clear, descriptive titles and include detailed descriptions with keywords. This not only helps users understand what your board is about but also aids in increasing your board’s visibility in searches.

 

Use the keywords also in your pin titles and descriptions. The goal is to match the language your target audience uses when searching for content like yours.

STEP 3 - OPTIMISE YOUR WEBSITE

Optimize your website and blog for Pinterest SEO. And of course, search engine optimization is a must-have for Google and other search engines, too. 😀

Add a Pinterest button to your website to help people pin your content. That way you make it easier to share your great content on Pinterest.

Use vertical images on your blog posts and include Pinterest keywords in your photo as a text layer whenever it is suitable. You can also add keywords to your photo's alt text. However, remember that alt text is aimed at exactly describing what the photo is about.

Too often, I see small online shops, blogs, and websites that don't have any Pinterest-optimized photos on their site. Their content can be very good or even great but they will NOT get their Pinterest SEO correct because their site is not optimized for any kind of SEO.

STEP 4 - BE CONSISTENT ON PINTEREST

Pin consistently! Create fresh Pinterest content regularly. Create quality content with catchy headlines.

Quality also matters on Pinterest. High-resolution images with compelling visuals are more likely to get repinned and shared.

Ensure your pins are not just attractive but also relevant to your target audience. Include clear, concise text overlays and use infographics when appropriate to add value.

Keep in mind that viral and successful content on Pinterest is mostly evergreen.

 

Do You know if your headline is catchy enough?

You can test your headlines for example with CoSchedule's Headline Analyzer.

 

STEP 5 - TEST YOUR PINS

You can use different pin templates to show your content on Pinterest. Pin templates help your content to be fresh even if you don’t have lots of brand photos to use.

Make sure that your pins are vertical, a recommended ratio is 2:3, and 1000 x 1500 pixels or bigger for static pins.

Use only 2 - 3 different fonts and colors on your pin. It’s easier to read and more aesthetic in that way.

Create branded pins (i.e. pins that have your name or URL on them and which have your brand colors and fonts).

You can also test other kinds of pins to find the best combination that suits your brand. Create a few different pins that have the same content (i.e. the pin directs to the same URL) but different kinds of pin graphics & text. Follow up on which of those pins have been working the best.

Use Pinterest’s analytics tools to track the performance of your pins and boards. Analyze what’s working and what’s not, and adapt your strategy accordingly. This data-driven approach ensures you’re consistently aligning with your audience’s preferences and search behaviors.

SEO on Pinterest requires a blend of strategic keyword use, high-quality visuals, and active pinning. By optimizing your Pinterest content, you can significantly enhance your brand’s visibility and connect with your audience in a meaningful way.

Pinterest is a long-term strategy, so be patient and consistent with your efforts.

 

Read also my 5 tips for a great Pinterest strategy.

Updated on 26 April 2023