4 Smart Pinterest SEO Tactics That Help You Rank (On Pinterest and Beyond)

SEO is getting so much more complicated. Search Everywhere Optimisation is the new reality. People aren’t just searching on Google anymore. They’re hopping between ChatGPT, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok and AI tools to find what they need.

In this new world where search is increasingly AI-driven, Pinterest SEO is one of the smartest, but most overlooked ways to get your brand and products discovered on and off the platform. Not only is it extremely effective to attract long-term, high-quality traffic to your site, your content on Pinterest can also help you get found on other SEO and AI channels that people use to search.

So how do you make the most of Pinterest to boost your SEO performance in 2025?

Let’s dive into 4 tactics that will help you get found by the right audience – on Pinterest and beyond!

How Pinterest SEO Helps You Get Found Everywhere

Re-imagine Pinterest as an entry point to a much bigger search ecosystem.

Pinterest isn’t a social platform, it’s a visual search engine where people actively seek out ideas, products, and inspiration. And, when you use Pinterest SEO smartly, you’re not just increasing your content’s visibility on Pinterest – you’re also boosting your reach across other search platforms, including Google and AI-driven tools such as Perplexity.

Each pin you create acts like a mini search-optimised page. It links directly to your website and contains keywords that help it surface in Pinterest search results. But the benefits don’t stop there. When people click through from Pinterest and spend time exploring your content, it sends positive signals to Google and other search engines. The result? Your site may climb higher in organic search results, especially if that traffic is engaged and sticks around.

The key is to focus on creating helpful, visually engaging pins on Pinterest that lead to genuinely useful content on your site. That combination increases the odds of being discovered, not just on Pinterest, but across the full spectrum of search engines, including those powered by AI. So how do you do this?

How to Boost Your Visibility with Pinterest SEO

To get started you need a Pinterest Business account. If you’re currently using a personal profile, no worries. You can switch it to a business account in just a few clicks. With a business account, you unlock access to helpful tools like Pinterest Analytics and the Pinterest Ads Manager. They will help you track performance, understand your audience, and fine-tune your content strategy for maximum reach. (Need a walkthrough? Here’s how to set up a Pinterest business account in 3 easy steps.)

To really boost your visibility and get your content discovered, on Pinterest and LLMs (Large Language Models) like ChatGPT, you need a content strategy that’s built around relevance. That means understanding what your audience is looking for, using keywords they’re actively searching with, and regularly creating and publishing visually engaging, high-quality pins that link to helpful content on your site.

When done right, Pinterest SEO doesn’t just improve your rankings on Pinterest. It sends qualified traffic to your website, increases time-on-site (which Google loves), and positions your content to be surfaced across today’s broader, AI-driven search landscape.

Now, let’s look at exactly how to do that.

1. Create eye-catching, click-worthy pins

Visuals matter. A lot. Pinterest users scroll quickly, so you need pins that stand out in the feed and invite clicks.

By focusing on creating visually appealing and shareable pins, you can increase the chances of your content being saved, shared, and ultimately, reaching a wider audience. Here’s how to make your pins pop:

Pro tip: High-performing pins often include real-life context, like product-in-use images or lifestyle scenes. These build emotional appeal and are more likely to get clicks.

Below are a few examples to illustrate what works well. For a deeper dive, explore How to Create High-Converting Pinterest Images That Guarantee Clicks!

2. Optimise your pin copy with smart keywords

Pinterest is visual, but its SEO is text-based. That means your pin titles, descriptions, and board names should include relevant keywords that your audience is actually searching for. Keywords play a crucial role in helping your pins appear in relevant search results on Pinterest. Here’s how to conduct keyword research and optimise your pins for maximum visibility:

To find the right keywords:

Sprinkle those keywords:

• In pin titles and descriptions
• In board titles and board descriptions
• In your profile bio
• Even in your image file names before you upload them and in the image alt text on your website

3. Create relevant and discoverable boards

Be strategic with boards and topics. Each board is like a mini search engine within your Pinterest account. Think of your boards as categories that organise your content in a way that makes sense, for both users and Pinterest’s algorithm.

To optimise:

When setting up a new board, you might be inclined to go with general titles like “Healthy Food” or “Bucket List Ideas” However, to truly enhance your Pinterest SEO, specificity is key! The name of your board plays a crucial role in attracting people; a highly targeted board name not only boosts the relevance and quality of your pins but also elevates your content’s ranking in search results. By choosing precise and relevant titles, you make it easier for your target audience to discover and engage with your content, ultimately improving your visibility and effectiveness on (and off!) the platform. 

4. Consistently post fresh content

Regularly publish fresh pins to maintain engagement and maximise distribution. Pinterest favours new pins and consistency matters more than volume.

Here’s how to stay consistent and on top of things:

Pro Tip: A new image for an existing piece of content is considered fresh content. So, get creative and make a variety of different images for it. Below is an example for Caravan Tours. They published a range of different images that link back to the same travel blog article for Costa Rica.

Final Thoughts: Your Pinterest SEO Strategy for 2025

If you’re putting effort into creating great content, it deserves to be seen, and Pinterest SEO is one of the best ways to make that happen. When you show up on Pinterest with consistent, optimised content, you’re not just building reach on one platform, you’re giving yourself the chance to appear across search engines, AI tools, and more. Start applying what you’ve learned here, and watch your pins (and your traffic) start working harder for you.

But it’s not just about climbing up in search results. Pinterest also opens up the stage for your brand. Your brand’s digital footprint gets bigger, attracting natural links back to your site and pulling in more people. By crafting eye-catching visuals, targeting the right keywords, and keeping your Pinterest account active, you’re making your brand more visible, ensuring your content doesn’t just get noticed but attracts exactly the audience you’re looking for!

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Mary Lumley – Pinterest Marketing for eCommerce & Travel / 4 Smart Pinterest SEO Tactics That Help You Rank (On Pinterest and Beyond)