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Pinterest SEO: 4 Smart Tactics That Will Boost Your SEO Ranking

Ever thought of Pinterest as your SEO’s new best friend? It offers a unique and powerful way to increase your website’s visibility, drive traffic, and improve your Google search rankings. When people from Pinterest visit your site and stick around, Google takes that as a sign that your content has value. This kind of quality visit from Pinterest folks can truly help to lift your SEO efforts! Want to know how? Let’s dive in!

Mary Lumley - Pinterest Expert
Hi! I’m Mary Lumley. Thanks for dropping by!

Need help with this Pinterest stuff?

We’re here for you! Let’s talk.

Need help with this Pinterest stuff?

We’re here for you! Let’s talk.

Hi! I’m Mary Lumley
Pinterest Specialist for eCom & Travel

Understanding Pinterest’s Impact on SEO

Pinterest acts as a visual search engine, where users discover new ideas, products, and inspiration through images. Leveraging Pinterest SEO techniques that are specifically tailored for Pinterest will improve the discoverability of your content on the platform itself. Indirectly, this has another incredibly valuable benefit: it can impact your Google ranking, because each pin (i.e. image with description) you create and publish on Pinterest is linked directly to your website.

The more people find and click on your Pinterest content, the more website visits you get. However, these additional visits will only make an impact on your Google ranking, if it’s quality traffic. So, the trick is to optimise your Pinterest SEO and lead people to quality content on your website. The objective is to get these folks to hang around your website for more than a few seconds, so that Google takes note of the increased time people spend there. So how do you do this?

How to Boost Your SEO Ranking with Pinterest SEO

To get started you need a Pinterest Business account. If you currently have a personal account, you can easily convert it into a business account. Doing this will give you access to Pinterest Analytics and the Pinterest Ads Manager. Here’s how to set up a Pinterest business account in 3 easy steps.

A successful Pinterest content strategy hinges on understanding your audience and what they seek. Engaging content that resonates with your audience, combined with strategic use of keywords and consistent activity, work wonders for your SEO performance on Pinterest and Google. Follow the steps below to boost your SEO with Pinterest.

1. Create eye-catching and shareable pins

The visual aspect of your pins is crucial in capturing the attention of Pinterest users. Here are some tips for creating eye-catching and shareable pins. 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.

  • Use high-quality images: Invest in high-quality images that are visually appealing and relevant to your content. Avoid blurry or low-resolution images that may deter users from engaging with your pins.
  • Experiment with different formats: Pinterest offers various pin formats, including standard, carousel, and video pins. Test different formats to see which ones resonate best with your audience.
  • Design vertical pins: Vertical pins perform better on Pinterest as they take up more space in users’ feeds. Aim for a 2:3 aspect ratio (e.g., 1000px x 1500px) to optimise your pins for maximum visibility.
  • Add compelling text overlays (if appropriate): Use bold and easily readable text overlays to convey the main message of your pin. Experiment with different fonts, colors, and styles to create visually appealing designs.
  • Include a call to action: Encourage users to take action by including a clear call to action in your pins. Whether it’s to visit your website, sign up for a newsletter, or make a purchase, a strong call to action can increase engagement and drive traffic.

Below are some examples – Learn all about image creation for Pinterest in How to Create High-Converting Pinterest Images That Guarantee Clicks!

Image highlighting '8 Must-Do Experiences in Hue, Vietnam,' with a person walking towards a beautifully ornate historical building. This pin leverages Pinterest SEO to attract travelers searching for top activities in Vietnam, aiming to boost engagement and drive traffic to travel-related content.
Image showcasing modern interior steel doors and partitions by Weldwork, with the tagline 'Made to be seen.' This pin utilizes Pinterest SEO to target users interested in high-end interior design elements, enhancing visibility and driving engagement for premium home improvement products.
Image featuring elegant gold handles and decorative tiles with the text 'Handles That Make a Statement' by San Diego Hardware. This pin demonstrates the use of Pinterest SEO to attract users looking for high-quality hardware and home decor items, optimizing for increased engagement and sales.
Promotional image for an email editor app, showcasing various email templates on mobile screens with the text 'Say hello to your new favorite email editor' and 'Try 30 Days Free.' This pin highlights how integrating Pinterest SEO can enhance visibility and attract users interested in email marketing tools.

2. Pinterest keyword research and optimisation

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:

  • Identify relevant keywords: Use Pinterest’s search bar to find keywords related to your niche. Pay attention to popular search terms and incorporate them into your pin titles, descriptions, and board names.
  • Optimise pin descriptions: Write detailed and keyword-rich descriptions for your pins. Include relevant hashtags to increase their discoverability.
  • Use alt text: Pinterest allows you to add alt text to your pins, which helps visually impaired users and improves the accessibility of your content. Use keywords in the alt text to enhance the visibility of your pins.
  • Research competitor keywords: Analyse the keywords used by your competitors and incorporate them into your own Pinterest strategy. This can help you discover new ideas and stay ahead of the competition.

3. Create relevant and discoverable boards

Create boards that are relevant to your niche and give them clear, descriptive names. Just as with pins, the titles and descriptions of your Pinterest boards should be optimised for SEO. Use descriptive, keyword-rich titles and descriptions for your boards to make them more discoverable on Pinterest and Google. This strategy not only attracts the right audience but also signals to search engines the relevance of your content. 

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. 

General board titles

  • travel ideas
  • home decor
  • hairstyles
  • gardening
  • money management

Specific board titles

  • solo travel ideas for females
  • bathroom wallpaper ideas
  • short hair style women
  • small garden vegetable patch
  • investing for retirement

4. Consistently post fresh content

Regularly publish fresh pins to maintain engagement and maximise distribution. Aligning your content with current trends on Pinterest is another effective way to increase visibility. The Pinterest Trends tool can help you with this. More info about the Pinterest Trends Tool.

Pinterest favours fresh and relevant content. 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.

Image featuring a close-up of a smiling sloth in the jungle and a serene forest scene, with the text '5 Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica.' This pin utilizes Pinterest SEO to attract users interested in exploring top destinations in Costa Rica, aiming to increase engagement and visibility on the platform.
Image displaying a beautiful sunset over the ocean with a palm tree in the foreground, accompanied by the text '5 Must-See Things in Costa Rica.' This pin leverages Pinterest SEO to draw in travelers looking for top attractions in Costa Rica, optimizing for increased visibility and engagement.
Image featuring a stunning waterfall surrounded by lush greenery with the text 'Top Things to Do in Costa Rica.' This pin effectively utilizes Pinterest SEO techniques to attract users searching for travel activities in Costa Rica, enhancing visibility and engagement
Image showcasing '5 Must-See Things in Costa Rica' with a scenic view of a volcano and a person walking on a suspension bridge in the rainforest. This visually engaging pin is an example of using Pinterest SEO strategies to attract travelers and boost visibility for Costa Rica tourism-related content.

Pinterest SEO: Your Secret Weapon for Enhanced Site Exposure

So, using Pinterest as a secret weapon for your SEO game is a smart move. When folks on Pinterest really engage with your pins, it sends a big thumbs up to Google that your site deserves a spot up high in the SEO ranks.

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!

We’ll handle Pinterest. You enjoy the results.

Ready to drive traffic and sales with Pinterest but short on time or knowledge? Don’t worry—we’re here to help! Our team of Pinterest experts can take the reins, managing everything from content creation to pinning strategy, so you can focus on running your business. Whether you’re looking to optimise your existing Pinterest presence or start from scratch, we’ve got the tools and know-how to drive traffic and increase conversions. Let us handle the pinning while you enjoy the results—get in touch today!

We’ll handle Pinterest. You enjoy the results.

Ready to drive traffic and sales with Pinterest but short on time or knowledge? Don’t worry—we’re here to help! Our team of Pinterest experts can take the reins, managing everything from content creation to pinning strategy, so you can focus on running your business. Let us handle the pinning while you enjoy the results—get in touch today!

You’ll see the value of working with them from day one

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“Mary and team have, by and large, been one of the best agencies I have worked with. Since working with them, we have seen tremendous growth in revenue from this channel and continue to hit milestones and reduce cost per acquisition.”
David Hernandez
Chief Marketing Officer

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Image of a person analyzing SEO data on a laptop, accompanied by the text 'How to Boost Your SEO with Pinterest.' The design emphasizes the importance of using Pinterest SEO tactics to enhance website visibility and drive organic traffic.

Mary Lumley – Pinterest Marketing for eCommerce & Travel / Pinterest SEO: 4 Smart Tactics to Boost Your SEO Ranking with Pinterest!