Pinterest Affiliate Marketing: Rules, Setup & Tactics for Passive Income

If you’re dreaming of earning money while you sleep, Pinterest affiliate marketing might be your answer. When I first heard you could make money on Pinterest with affiliate links, I was skeptical. I had no blog, no big following, and zero design skills. But after a few months of testing, I started seeing clicks, saves, and—yes—commissions. Now, my pins earn passive income with Pinterest every month. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to start Pinterest affiliate marketing, follow the rules, and build a Pinterest affiliate strategy that works. Think of me as your friend over coffee, sharing the exact steps that turned Pinterest into my income machine. Ready to promote affiliate products on Pinterest? Let’s dive in!

What Is Pinterest Affiliate Marketing?

Wondering how to make money on Pinterest? Pinterest affiliate marketing is when you promote products or services using special affiliate links and earn a commission for every sale or action through your links. Unlike other platforms, Pinterest lets you share affiliate links directly in pins, making it beginner-friendly.

Why Pinterest Is Perfect for Affiliates

• Visual Appeal: Eye-catching pins drive clicks to affiliate links on Pinterest.
• Evergreen Traffic: Pins can generate income months or years later.
• No Big Audience Needed: You can start with zero followers.
• Search-Driven: Pinterest’s algorithm matches pins to user searches.

When I pinned my first affiliate link for a budgeting tool, it earned $50 in a month. That’s when I knew Pinterest was a goldmine for passive income with Pinterest. Want to learn how Pinterest fits into your strategy? Check out my Pinterest strategy for beginners.

Step 1: Understand Pinterest’s Affiliate Marketing Rules

Before you start pinning affiliate links on Pinterest, know the rules to avoid getting banned. Pinterest is strict but fair.

Pinterest’s 2025 Affiliate Guidelines

• Allowed:
• Direct affiliate links in pins (with proper disclosure).
• Links to blog posts, landing pages, or stores with affiliate offers.
• URL shorteners like Bit.ly (full URLs preferred).
• Clear labeling of affiliate partnerships (e.g., “affiliate link”).
• Not Allowed:
• Spammy or misleading products.
• Cloaked links hiding the destination.
• Pins violating content policies (e.g., MLM or unverified health claims).
• Stolen images or content.

Always disclose your affiliate links with phrases like “affiliate link” or “I may earn a commission” in pin descriptions or landing pages. I learned this the hard way after a pin was flagged for missing disclosure.

External Resource: Pinterest Business outlines their affiliate marketing policies.

Step 2: Set Up Your Pinterest Affiliate Marketing Toolkit

You don’t need a website to start, but a few tools make Pinterest affiliate marketing easier.

Must-Have Tools

• Pinterest Business Account: Free, offers analytics, and looks professional. Set one up at Pinterest Business.
• Affiliate Programs: Join networks like:
• ShareASale
• Impact
• Amazon Associates
• ConvertKit (great for bloggers).
• Choose visual, Pinterest-friendly products (e.g., planners, tools, courses).
• Canva: Create stunning pins with free templates. Get started at Canva.
• Tailwind: Schedule pins and track performance. Try Tailwind.

When I set up my Pinterest Business account, my pins started ranking better. It’s a simple step with big impact.

Internal Link: Need help? See my Pinterest business account setup.

Step 3: Choose the Right Affiliate Programs

Picking the right affiliate programs is key to your Pinterest affiliate strategy. Focus on products that align with your niche and Pinterest’s visual vibe.

Top Niches for Pinterest

• Blogging/Online Business: Tools like ConvertKit or Teachable.
• Home Decor: Furniture, organizers, or DIY kits.
• Finance: Budget planners or investing apps.
• Wellness: Fitness gear, meal plans, or journals.
• Crafts/DIY: Supplies or printable templates.

I started with Amazon Associates for planners and earned $100 in my first month. Choose programs with high commissions and visual appeal.

Step 4: Create Affiliate Pins That Convert

Great pins are the backbone of Pinterest affiliate marketing. They need to grab attention and drive clicks.

Pin Design Tips

• Size: Use 1000×1500 pixels for vertical pins.
• Text Overlay: Include keywords like Pinterest affiliate marketing or make money on Pinterest.
• Clear CTA: Add “Shop Now,” “Learn More,” or “Download Free.”
• High-Quality Images: Use product mockups or lifestyle photos from Unsplash.

Image Alt Text: Pinterest pin with text overlay reading ‘Pinterest Affiliate Marketing Tips’ on a bright yellow background.

My “budget planner” pin with a bold “Get It Now” CTA tripled my clicks. Learn more in my Pinterest pin design tips.

Step 5: Optimize Pins for SEO

To rank in Pinterest search, your pins need keywords. This is crucial to promote affiliate products on Pinterest effectively.

SEO Tips

• Pin Title: Use keywords like affiliate links on Pinterest (e.g., “Make Money with Affiliate Links on Pinterest”).
• Description: Write 100–200 characters with a CTA, like “Learn Pinterest affiliate marketing to earn passive income. Click for tips!”
• Tags: Add 3–5 relevant keywords or hashtags.
• Boards: Pin to keyword-optimized boards like “Money-Making Tips.”

I added passive income with Pinterest to my pin descriptions, and my ranking improved. Check out my Pinterest keyword research guide.

Step 6: Decide Where to Link Your Pins

You can link affiliate pins to various destinations, depending on your Pinterest affiliate strategy.

Linking Options

• Direct Affiliate Link: Fast but needs clear disclosure.
• Blog Post: Review products for higher trust and SEO.
• Landing Page: Build your email list with tools like ConvertKit.
• Resource Page: Curate affiliate tools or products.
• YouTube Video: Link to videos with affiliate links in descriptions.

I link most pins to blog posts, which convert better than direct links. My email list grew 4x when I pinned to a freebie landing page. See my building an email list from Pinterest.

Step 7: Use “Best Of” and Comparison Pins

“Best of” and comparison pins perform well because Pinterest users are in research mode.

Examples

• “Best Budget Apps for 2025”
• “ConvertKit vs. MailerLite: Which Wins?”
• “Top 5 Planners for Busy Moms”

My “Best Tools for Bloggers” pin drove $200 in commissions because it matched user intent. Create these pins with Canva.

Step 8: Repurpose Affiliate Content

Maximize your content by creating multiple pin variations for each affiliate offer.

Repurposing Ideas

• 3–5 Pin Designs: Vary images, headlines, or CTAs.
• Idea Pins: Create a short tutorial or product demo.
• Carousels: Use multiple images to showcase products.
• Quote Pins: Share stats or tips with affiliate links.

Repurposing my “budget planner” post into five pins doubled my clicks. Learn more in Pinterest pin titles and descriptions.

Step 9: Schedule Pins for Consistency

Consistency is key to passive income with Pinterest. Use Pinterest scheduling tools to automate pinning.

Scheduling Tips

• Pin 1–3 fresh pins daily.
• Schedule with Tailwind for optimal times.
• Repin to relevant boards over weeks, not days.

I schedule a week’s worth of pins in one sitting, saving hours. Check out my schedule Pinterest pins guide.

Step 10: Leverage Group Boards

Pinterest group boards amplify your reach by exposing pins to larger audiences.

Group Board Tips

• Join 5–10 niche-relevant boards.
• Pin affiliate content sparingly to avoid spamming.
• Follow board rules (e.g., 3 pins/day).

My “blogging tools” pin on a group board earned $150 in commissions. Learn how in my Pinterest group boards.

Step 11: Track Your Affiliate Performance

Pinterest Analytics shows which pins drive clicks and conversions. Monitor:

• Top Pins: Which get the most clicks?
• Click-Through Rate: Aim for 1–2% or higher.
• Audience Insights: What products resonate?

When I saw my “planner” pins performed best, I created more. Use my Pinterest analytics guide for tracking tips.

External Resource: Ahrefs offers insights on tracking affiliate performance.

Step 12: Plan Seasonal Affiliate Pins

Pinterest users plan ahead, so create pins for holidays or events like “Christmas Gift Guides” or “Back-to-School Tools.” My “holiday planner” pin earns $200 every December. Plan with my Pinterest trends 2025.

Step 13: Scale with Pinterest Ads

Once your affiliate pins perform, try Pinterest promoted pins to boost high-performing content.

FAQs About Pinterest Affiliate Marketing

Final Thoughts: Start Your Pinterest Affiliate Journey Today

Pinterest affiliate marketing isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, but it’s one of the easiest ways to build passive income with Pinterest. With the right pins, keywords, and strategy, you can earn commissions while focusing on what you love—whether that’s blogging, creating, or side hustling. The best part? You don’t need a big audience to start.

Ready to get going? Grab my Free Pinterest SEO Checklist to kickstart your Pinterest affiliate strategy. Want more? Check out my posts on Pinterest keyword research, Pinterest pin design tips, or Pinterest group boards. Trust me, once you start pinning affiliate links, you’ll see why Pinterest is a passive income powerhouse!