- Lauren Petrullo
- Max 8min read
11 Tips To Optimize Your Pinterest Profile In 2023: Complete Pinterest SEO Guide
- By: Lauren Petrullo
- 6 mins max
- February 6, 2023

Pinterest and SEO; you don’t often hear these terms together. But, believe it or not, SEO for Pinterest is as critical as SEO for Google. As a visual search engine, Pinterest needs to be taken very seriously by digital marketers.
Why?
Because the platform has nearly 440 million monthly active users and offers more opportunities for organic search visibility.
That’s why it’s important to learn how to optimize your Pinterest profile and make sure you’re taking advantage of search engine optimization (SEO) in the process.
This guide will cover 11 important tips to help develop strategies that get your content seen.
What Is SEO For Pinterest?
You see, Pinterest is kind of a search engine itself. It just happens to have more visual content.
So, when someone searches for a keyword or phrase related to your business/content, Pinterest’s algorithm will try to match the query with the most relevant content.
That means the higher quality and more properly optimized your profile and Pins are, the better chance you have of getting seen, which is exactly what Pinterest SEO is about.
It’s the process of optimizing your Pinterest profile, Pins, and business website content to rank higher in search results.
How does SEO for Pinterest work?
In its true essence, search engine optimization for Pinterest is no different than SEO for Google or other search engines. However, the way Pinterest algorithm decides which Pins show up in results is quite different from those used by Google and other search engines.
Besides relevant content (keywords), Google has its own set of ranking factors like website loading speed, backlinks, mobile-first experience, and domain authority.
Pinterest, on the other hand, looks at the following things to determine the best-related results for a query:
Topic Relevance
Pinterest uses your keyword choice and content to determine if a Pin is relevant to the query. For example, if your recipe or kitchen product pin has excellent graphics but poor description without relevant keywords, it is not likely to appear in search results.
Content Quality
Pinterest measures the quality of your pin content in terms of visuals, headlines, and descriptions. Your pins must have the platform-preferred aspect ratios, compelling visuals, keyword-rich descriptions, and captivating titles in order to display properly.
Plus, the platform also looks for content that is original and valuable to the users.
Engagement
Pinterest will take into account the engagement of your pins on their platform. The more engagement your pins receive, the higher your chances of appearing in search results.
Pinner Quality
Pinterest also looks for the quality of your profile when considering pins for search results. Having an optimized profile with a unique bio and username, along with relevant boards, will increase the chances of your pins appearing in search results.
Similarly, the number of followers on your profile adds weight to your “Pinner quality.”
Domain Quality
The quality of the domain from which you are sharing your content plays a role in how many people it will be exposed to. That’s why using a custom domain with strong backlinks, and relevant content is important for Pinterest SEO.
So, how do these factors come together?
Here’s an example:
Let’s say you typed a query/keyword in the Pinterest search bar. The top results (pins) will have a few things in common:
- Lots of comments on the pins = Engagement
- High quality, compelling visuals = Content Quality
- Relevant terms in the pin description = Topic Relevance
- Lots of followers and quality pins on the profiles = Pinner Quality
- Links to authority domains with lots of quality pins = Domain Quality
Got the picture?
Now, let’s look at 11 tips you can use to improve your Pinterest SEO.
SEO Tips To Optimize Your Pinterest Profile (Bonus Included)
Pinterest is a powerful search engine. Just like Google SEO, you will need the right SEO strategy to be loved by Pinterest’s search engine.
These are Pinterest SEO best practices to follow:
1. Go For A Pinterest Business Account
You get to choose between a Pinterest personal account and a business account when signing up on Pinterest. Although both are free and let you publish pins, a business Pinterest account offers some advanced features so you can reach a larger audience and advertise your products.
For example, a personal account can post only two types of pins (idea and static pins), while a business account can create all types of pins, giving you more freedom and features to get noticed by viewers.
Also, a business Pinterest account helps you unlock valuable analytics and insights about your Pinterest profile through Pinterest Business Hub and Pinterest Analytics.
These features will help you understand which pins are getting the most engagement and where to focus your efforts.
Sounds good? Learn how to set up your business Pinterest account with our step-by-step guide.
2. Spend Time On Profile Optimization
The quality of your profile plays a key role in helping you reach the right audience on Pinterest.
That’s why optimizing your profile is important so that users can easily find and recognize you when searching for relevant topics.
Start by customizing your username (or handle). This could be your brand name, but it’s much better to have your main keyword so that users can see your profile when they search for that.
The same goes for your profile name — having a keyword is recommended. However, if you’re the face of your brand, you can include your name or surname.
Once you’re done with the name, it’s time to get creative with Pinterest bio ideas. While adding keywords is important, you must clearly state what you do or what followers can expect from you.
Then, move on to your profile photo and cover image. Users notice them first when they visit your profile, so make sure you use high-quality images relevant to your brand.
3. Add Your Website And Claim It
A Pinterest business account with a website is incomplete.
So, adding your website to your Pinterest profile is a must-do if you want to make the most out of Pinterest and get noticed.
Why?
It helps your audience find your website easily, and the Pinterest algorithm is all about enhancing the user experience. Plus, it will drive traffic to your website and help increase your domain quality.
However, besides sending traffic to your website, you need to claim your website to get more benefits out of it. Yet gain access to:
- Advanced analytics
- Pinterest Ads
- A potential “Verified” checkmark
Besides the above, you get to display your profile picture and a follow button beside all of your pins. This makes it easier for users to recognize your profile and follow you on Pinterest.
All of these things together improve your brand’s Pinterest SEO efforts.
4. Go Hard On Pinterest Keyword Research
Pinterest is a search engine like Google, so you need to target keywords to appear in Pinterest search results.
That’s why it’s important to conduct thorough Pinterest keyword research and identify words that are relevant to your brand.
But where do you find Pinterest keywords?
One of the simplest methods is to use the auto-suggestions in the Pinterest search bar.
For example, when you type “skinny jeans” in the search bar, Pinterest will show you a couple of modifiers or variations of some long-tail keywords, including “skinny jeans.” These are usually the most searched keywords on the platform and can help you attract new viewers.
Or, you can use Pinterest Trends and see what topics people are interested in. Research those topics and find related keywords.
You can also find keywords by searching for related topics or boards and checking out what your competitors are using. Since Pinterest already divides content into categories and sub-categories, this should be an easy task.
Once you have a list of keywords, use them to optimize your profile, board descriptions, pin descriptions, and titles for each pin. This will help users find you when they search for related topics, increasing your chances of getting more followers on Pinterest.
5. Create Fresh Content Consistently
Creating fresh content is essential to keep your followers engaged and attract new ones.
However, every social platform has its own benchmark for better reach and engagement, and Pinterest is no different.
If you’re wondering, “how many pins should you pin a day?” here’s a simple strategy to keep you in Pinterest’s “good books.”
If you’re just starting, don’t post too much — it might seem spammy. Instead, pick three to five times a day and post only high-quality content.
Once you’ve found your footing on the platform, create boards for multiple categories and gradually increase your pin images to 6-12 per day. Then, after a few weeks, go full throttle, post 18-25 pins a day, and keep doing that.
The more you post, the better engagement you’ll get and the more followers you will attract.
Important: Don’t forget to write SEO-friendly descriptions for your pins and boards to reach your target audience.
6. Create Well-Sorted Pinterest Boards
Creating well-sorted Pinterest boards is essential for two reasons. First, it makes your content easily discoverable, and second, it increases engagement by generating more clicks.
How?
Organize your boards by topics and subtopics and create multiple boards for them. For instance, if you run a fitness website, create a separate Pinterest board for ‘Gym Workouts’ and add mini boards such as ‘Weight Training’ and ‘Strength Training.’
Similarly, if you own a fashion blog, you can create boards like ‘Street Style’ and add mini boards such as ‘Backpacks’ and ‘Summer Shoes.’ This will make it easier for users to find and click on the images that are most relevant to them.
Additionally, prioritize the most popular boards by adding them to the top of your profile. This will help you maximize the visibility of those boards and help drive traffic to your website or blog post.
Overall, sorting and categorizing your boards is indeed the best way to display pins.
7. Set Business Goals (Traffic & Conversion)
Setting up business goals on Pinterest is a great way to stay focused and measure your success.
For example, if you’re trying to increase website traffic, set up a goal to get more clicks on your pins. And if you’re looking for leads and conversions, track the number of signups you get from Pinterest.
However, we recommend starting with smaller goals like impressions, clicks, or re-pins before you move forward with your Pinterest marketing goals.
This methodology will help you measure your success and optimize your efforts for maximum ROI. Plus, it also allows you to track how effective your Pinterest presence is for your overall business.
8. Understand User Intent
Understanding user intent is critical to your success on any social media platform.
This means that you should know why people come to the platform and what their expectations are.
For instance, if you create content to get more website traffic, make sure that the pins link back to your site. This will help users find the exact information they’re looking for and keep them engaged with your brand.
Likewise, if you’re trying to increase conversions, post rich pins that fetch product information from your website and link back to your landing pages.
By understanding user intent, you’ll be able to tailor your content to your audience’s needs. And as we all know, tailored content is the best way to leverage Pinterest SEO.
9. Create High-Quality Content
One of the best SEO tips for Pinterest is to create high-quality content. This means that you need to post eye-catching, relevant pins that are engaging, informative, and valuable for Pinterest users.
So, create content that’s visually appealing and has all the information that your target audience might find helpful.
For example, if you’re a fashion brand, use high-resolution images, GIFs, and videos to showcase your products. You can also use a combination of all three to create content that engages users, increases brand recognition, and drives conversions.
Then, add keyword-rich descriptions to make your pins easily discoverable.
Furthermore, always remember to study the platform’s preferred format, resolution, and aspect ratios for visual content. This will ensure your pins display correctly and get the most visibility.
Carefully considering the platform’s preferences is one of the most under-rated Pinterest SEO tips.
10. Engage And Get Seen
Engagement should be at the heart of your Pinterest marketing strategy. This is the best way to get seen, attract more followers, and make a name for your brand.
Interact with other users by liking and commenting on their pins and boards. And if you find any content that’s already popular, join in on the conversation or share it further with your own network.
Of course, this also means you should reply to comments on your pins. Not only will it make your followers feel valued, but it’ll also help you get seen on the feed.
11. Use Rich Pins
Rich pins are a great way to gain more visibility on Pinterest. They’re interactive, which means they show up in search results with more information than regular pins.
For example, a product rich pin can include the price, availability, and a link to the product page on your website. A recipe rich pin can even show ingredients, cooking times, and nutritional information.
Similarly, article rich pins include the headline, author, and a brief description of the blog post.
No matter which type of rich pins you use, they’ll give your users more information about your products and services, which can lead to more engagement and conversions.
Moreover, linking your rich pins to your website also helps improve your domain quality, which in itself has a huge impact on your overall SEO strategy.
Important: Only Pinterest business accounts can post rich pins. Make sure you have one.
12. (BONUS) Use Ads To Fine-tune Your SEO Strategy For Pinterest
Pinterest Ads are a great way to enhance your SEO efforts.
You can use them to target users in specific countries and regions, as well as create ad campaigns that are tailored to different demographics and interests.
You can also use ads to A/B test different pin designs or content types, analyze the performance of your campaigns, and make data-driven decisions to better optimize your content.
Once your campaigns are live and analytics are in, see which keywords brought in the most traffic. Then use those keywords to create additional content that is tailored to your target audience, and measure the performance of new pins. This will give you insight into what your followers respond to and help you further optimize your content for search engines.
By leveraging the power of ads and analytics, you can fine-tune your Pinterest SEO strategy and maximize your visibility on the platform.
So, that’s it — these are some of the best SEO tips for Pinterest that you can use to optimize your content and boost your visibility.
But remember, search engine optimization is an ever-evolving process. You must always invest your time on Pinterest keyword research. Dig out the right keywords and focus on top search terms to stay on top of your Pinterest SEO game.
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