Pinterest Keyword Research for Pins, Boards & Profiles – Pinterest SEO 101

If you’re a blogger or small business owner, you’ve probably pinned a few posts to Pinterest, hoping they’d take off. I did that too—until I learned about Pinterest keyword research. Honestly, it was a game-changer.

Once I started using the right keywords, my traffic went from a trickle to a steady stream of clicks, and my affiliate sales jumped. If you want to master Pinterest SEO and get your content in front of the right people, keyword research is where it all starts.

Pinterest isn’t like Instagram or TikTok—it’s a visual search engine where people look for ideas and solutions. That means Pinterest keyword research is your ticket to showing up when your audience searches. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to find keywords on Pinterest, optimize your pins, boards, and profile, and turn clicks into conversions.

Think of me as your friend over coffee, sharing exactly what worked for me. Ready to dive into Pinterest marketing tips? Let’s do this!

Why Pinterest Keyword Research Matters

Unlike social media platforms, Pinterest works like Google—users search for what they need, from “budget travel tips” to “blogging for beginners.” That’s why Pinterest SEO is so powerful. By using the right keywords, you can make sure your pins, boards, and profile show up in those searches, driving traffic for months or even years.

Here’s why Pinterest keyword research is a must:

• Boosts Discoverability: Keywords help your content rank in Pinterest search results.
• Targets the Right Audience: Connect with people actively searching for your niche.
• Drives Long-Term Traffic: Pins keep working long after you post them.
• Supports Affiliate Marketing: Keywords make your affiliate links more clickable.

When I started researching keywords for my blog posts, one pin about “side hustle ideas” brought in 1,000 clicks over six months. That’s the power of a solid Pinterest keyword strategy! Want to learn how Pinterest fits into your bigger plan? Check out my Pinterest strategy for beginners.

Step 1: Use Pinterest’s Search Bar to Find Keywords

The easiest way to start Pinterest keyword research is right on the platform itself. Pinterest’s search bar is a goldmine for discovering what your audience is looking for.

How to Use the Autocomplete Method

1. Log into Pinterest.
2. Type a broad term related to your niche (e.g., “blogging tips” or “passive income”).
3. Watch the autocomplete suggestions—they show what people are actually searching.
4. Note down long-tail keywords (specific phrases like “blogging tips for beginners”).

For example, when I typed “Pinterest marketing,” I saw suggestions like Pinterest marketing tips, Pinterest for small business owners, and how to find keywords on Pinterest. Those are perfect for targeting specific audiences. Write down 5–10 keywords to start.

Pro Tip: Long-tail keywords are less competitive and easier to rank for, especially for new accounts. They’re your secret weapon for Pinterest SEO.

Google Search Central has keyword research tips that apply to Pinterest too.

Step 2: Leverage Pinterest Trends for Insights

Pinterest offers a free tool called Pinterest Trends that shows what’s popular, when it peaks, and where it’s trending. It’s a must for your Pinterest keyword strategy, especially for seasonal content.

How to Use Pinterest Trends

1. Visit Pinterest Trends and select your region.
2. Enter a keyword related to your niche (e.g., “affiliate marketing”).
3. Check the trend graph to see popularity over time.
4. Compare related keywords to find the best fit.
5. Look for seasonal spikes (e.g., “holiday gift guides” in November).

When I used Pinterest Trends for my “budget planner” pins, I noticed searches spiked in January. I planned my pins accordingly, and my traffic doubled that month. Learn more about planning in my Pinterest trends 2025 guide.

Step 3: Analyze Top-Ranking Pins

Want to know what’s working? Search your keywords and study the top pins. This is a key part of how to find keywords on Pinterest because it shows what’s already ranking.

What to Look For

• Pin Titles and Descriptions: Note the keywords used (e.g., “Pinterest SEO tips for bloggers”).
• Text Overlay: Check if the pin image includes keywords.
• Board Names: See which boards the pins are saved to for context.

For example, searching “Pinterest marketing tips” might show a pin titled “Pinterest Marketing Tips to Grow Your Blog Traffic.” The keywords Pinterest marketing tips and blog traffic are clues to what ranks well. Use these in your own pins and boards.

Want to craft better pin titles? Check out Crafting high-performing pin titles and descriptions.

Step 4: Build Keyword Buckets for Your Niche

To make Pinterest keyword research actionable, organize your keywords into “buckets” based on your niche. This helps you create focused content for your pins and boards.

Example Keyword Buckets

• Blogging: blogging for beginners, blog traffic tips, how to start a blog
• Side Hustles: side hustle ideas, passive income strategies, side hustle for moms
• Pinterest Marketing: Pinterest SEO, Pinterest keyword strategy, Pinterest for bloggers
• Digital Products: printable planners, free digital downloads, budget templates

When I created a keyword bucket for “side hustles,” I found terms like “side hustle from home” and “passive income ideas.” These became the backbone of my Pinterest board SEO strategy, driving targeted traffic to my blog.

Step 5: Optimize Your Pinterest Profile with Keywords

Your profile is prime real estate for Pinterest SEO. A keyword-rich profile helps Pinterest understand your niche and shows users what you’re about.

Profile Optimization Tips

• Display Name: Include your niche, like “Jess | Pinterest Marketing Tips & Side Hustles.”
• Bio: Write a short, keyword-packed bio, like “Helping bloggers grow traffic with Pinterest SEO and affiliate marketing.”
• Profile Cover: Showcase pins with text overlays featuring your top keywords.

When I added “Pinterest marketing tips” to my bio, my profile views jumped by 40%. It’s a small tweak that makes a big difference for Pinterest keyword research.

Need help setting up your profile? See my guide on Pinterest business account setup.

Step 6: Master Pinterest Board SEO

Boards are like categories on your blog—they tell Pinterest what your content is about. Optimizing them is a key part of Pinterest board SEO.

Board Optimization Tips

• Board Titles: Use keywords like “Pinterest Marketing Tips” or “Blog Traffic Strategies.”
• Descriptions: Write 2–3 sentences with keywords, like “Discover Pinterest SEO and marketing tips to grow your blog and boost affiliate sales.”
• Pin Count: Add at least 15 pins per board to show relevance.
• Cover Images: Choose a pin that reflects the board’s theme.

I created a “Passive Income Ideas” board with a keyword-rich description, and it’s now my top traffic driver. Want to reach more people? Check out Pinterest group boards for extra exposure.

Step 7: Add Keywords to Your Pins

Pins are where your Pinterest keyword strategy comes to life. Use keywords in every part of your pin to boost its ranking.

Where to Add Keywords

• Pin Title: E.g., “Pinterest SEO Tips for Beginners to Grow Traffic.”
• Pin Description: Write 100–200 characters, like “Learn Pinterest keyword research to boost your blog traffic with these simple Pinterest marketing tips!”
• Text Overlay: Include keywords on the pin image, like “Pinterest SEO Checklist.”
• Alt Text: Describe the pin, e.g., “Pinterest pin with text overlay reading ‘Pinterest Keyword Research for Bloggers’ on a bright background.”

Image Alt Text: Pinterest pin with text overlay reading ‘Pinterest Keyword Research for Bloggers’ on a colorful background.

When I started adding keywords like Pinterest SEO to my pin descriptions, my click-through rates doubled. For more, see my Pinterest pin design tips.

Canva is perfect for creating keyword-rich pin graphics.

Step 8: Schedule Pins for Consistency

Consistency keeps your pins visible, but you don’t need to pin manually. Tools like Tailwind automate your Pinterest keyword strategy.

Scheduling Tips

• Pin 1–3 fresh pins daily to stay active.
• Repin your content to multiple boards over time.
• Use curated pins to add variety.

I use Tailwind to schedule a week’s worth of pins in one sitting, saving me hours. Learn how in my guide on scheduling Pinterest pins.

Step 9: Track Your Keyword Performance

Pinterest Analytics shows which keywords and pins are driving traffic. Check:

• Top Pins: Which pins get the most clicks?
• Search Terms: What keywords are users finding you through?
• Board Performance: Which boards are most popular?

When I saw “side hustle ideas” was a top search term, I created more pins for that keyword, and my traffic spiked. Dive deeper with my Pinterest analytics guide.

HubSpot offers great tips on analyzing marketing data.

Step 10: Use Keywords for Affiliate Marketing

Keywords are key to making money with Pinterest. Use them to promote affiliate links or digital products.

Affiliate Marketing Tips

• Pin to blog posts with affiliate links (disclose per FTC guidelines).
• Use keywords like Pinterest marketing tips in pin descriptions.
• Create pins for high-demand niches like “printable planners.”

My “budget planner” pin with affiliate links still earns me $100+ monthly. Learn more in my Pinterest affiliate marketing guide.

Not sure what to promote? Check out best Pinterest niches.

Step 11: Plan Seasonal Content with Keywords

Pinterest users plan ahead, so use seasonal keywords like “Christmas gift ideas” or “back-to-school tips.” My “holiday budget planner” pins go viral every December. Plan ahead with my Pinterest trends 2025 guide.

Step 12: Explore Pinterest Ads

Once your keywords are driving organic traffic, try Pinterest promoted pins to scale your reach. Start small and test high-performing keywords.

FAQs About Pinterest Keyword Research

Final Thoughts: Start Your Pinterest Keyword Journey Today

Pinterest keyword research might sound technical, but it’s honestly one of the easiest ways to grow your blog or business. By finding the right keywords and using them in your pins, boards, and profile, you can drive traffic that keeps working for you. The best part? You don’t need a big audience or fancy skills—just a little strategy and consistency.

Ready to get started? Grab my Free Pinterest SEO Checklist to put this guide into action. Want to dive deeper? Check out my posts on Pinterest business account setup, Pinterest affiliate marketing, or Pinterest for bloggers. Trust me, once you start using keywords strategically, you’ll see why Pinterest is a traffic goldmine!

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Remember: Results vary based on effort, consistency, and market conditions. Pinterest is a powerful tool but requires patience and strategy.

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