If you’re a blogger who is tired of shouting into the Instagram void, Pinterest might just be your new favorite co worker. Pinterest is a visual search engine, which basically means people are going there to search, save, and plan. In other words, they are already in the mood to click, learn, and take action.
Used well, Pinterest can quietly send you traffic on repeat for months and even years after you hit publish. This guide will walk you through exactly how to use Pinterest for bloggers so you can turn your posts into pins that actually get seen.
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Why Bloggers Should Care About Pinterest
Before you invest your time, you need to know what you are getting in return. Here is why Pinterest is such a smart traffic channel for bloggers:
- People use Pinterest to search for solutions and ideas, not to scroll past them.
- Pins have a much longer life span than social media posts. A single pin can drive traffic for months.
- Pinterest can grow your blog traffic without you needing to be online every day.
If growing search-based, sustainable traffic matters to you, Pinterest deserves a place in your content strategy.
Related: 7 Pinterest Pin Design Mistakes That Are Quietly Killing Your Click-Through Rate
Step 1: Set Up A Pinterest Business Account
If you are still using a personal Pinterest profile, start here.
- Create or convert to a business account
Go to Pinterest and either create a business account or convert your personal account to a business one so you can access analytics and rich features. - Claim your website
Inside your Pinterest business settings, connect and claim your blog URL. This helps Pinterest see you as the original source of your content and can improve distribution over time. - Add your brand basics
Upload a clear profile photo, write a short keyword-friendly bio that explains who you help and what you help them with, and add your main blog link.
Your goal: when an ideal reader lands on your profile, they should know they are in the right place within a few seconds.
Step 2: Build SEO Friendly Pinterest Boards
Think of your boards as mini topic hubs for your blog.
- Choose board topics based on your blog categories
Start with 5 to 10 boards that match your main content pillars. For example:- Blogging Tips
- Pinterest Marketing For Bloggers
- Email Marketing For Creatives
- Lifestyle Blogging Ideas
- Name boards with search-friendly titles
Use simple, clear phrases that your readers would actually type into the search bar. Skip cute inside jokes and focus on clarity. - Write keyword-rich board descriptions
For each board, write 2 to 4 short sentences that explain what the board is about and naturally include your main keywords.
You are not writing for robots. You are writing for humans first, but with enough clarity that Pinterest can understand where to show your content.
Related: The Pinterest Board Strategy Most Bloggers Skip (And Why It’s Costing Them Traffic)
Step 3: Turn Your Blog Posts Into Pinterest-Ready Content
Your blog and your Pinterest strategy should work together, not live in separate worlds.
Here is what to check on each blog post before you start pinning it:
- Clear, specific headline
Does your title make it instantly obvious what the post is about and who it is for? - Strong intro that hooks your reader
The first few lines should speak to a problem or desire your audience actually feels. - At least one vertical image
Pinterest favours vertical images. Aim for at least one image in the post that works well as a pin. Common ratios are 1000 x 1500 or 1000 x 1800. - A call to action
At the end of the post, tell readers what to do next. For example: join your email list, grab a freebie, or read another related post.
When your blog post is clear, useful, and easy to skim, your Pinterest traffic is far more likely to stay, read, and click around.
Step 4: Design Click-Worthy Pinterest Pins
You do not need to be a designer to create good pins. You do need clarity and consistency.
Focus on these essentials:
- Use vertical, high-quality images that relate to the topic.
- Make the text overlay easy to read on mobile. Think bold title, simple fonts, and strong contrast.
- Repeat your brand colours and fonts so your pins look like they belong together.
- Include your blog name or URL at the bottom of the pin so people can recognise your content.
When you design your pins, write headlines that make someone think I need to know this. Curiosity and clarity will always beat vague phrases.
Step 5: Write Keyword-Rich Pin Titles And Descriptions
Pinterest is a search engine, so the words you use matter.
- Start with keyword research
Use the Pinterest search bar to see what people are already typing for your topic. Pay attention to the suggested phrases that appear as you type. - Use those phrases in your titles
Create pin titles that clearly include your main keyword. For example:- How To Use Pinterest For Bloggers To Grow Your Traffic
- Pinterest Strategy For New Bloggers: Simple Steps To Start
- Write natural, helpful descriptions
In your pin description, write 2 to 4 short sentences that:- Describe what the reader will learn.
- Include your keyword and related phrases naturally.
- Invite the reader to click to read the full post.
You have up to 500 characters, but your most important information should be in the first 30 to 60 characters.
Step 6: Link Every Pin Back To Your Blog
If you’re thinking about how to use Pinterest to grow website traffic, keep in mind that every pin should lead somewhere intentional.
When you create a pin, make sure:
- The destination URL is a relevant blog post, not just your homepage.
- The pin image and the blog post title match in topic, so the reader feels they landed in the right place.
- Your blog post delivers on the promise of the pin. No clickbait, just helpful content.
Pinterest rewards content that keeps users happy, so aim for a seamless experience from pin to post.
Step 7: Create A Simple Pinning Workflow
One of the things you need to remember about how to use Pinterest is that you do not need to be on Pinterest all day to benefit from it. What you need is a repeatable system.
Here is a simple low-energy workflow you can follow:
- Each time you publish a new blog post, create 3 to 5 fresh pin designs for that post.
- Schedule those pins to go out over the next few weeks using your preferred scheduler.
- Revisit your top-performing posts every few months and design new pins for them.
- Check your Pinterest analytics once a month to see which topics and designs are performing best.
Pinterest prefers consistency over sudden bursts of activity. A few intentional pins every week will serve you better than a one-day pinning marathon.
Step 8: Track What Is Working And Refine
Your analytics are there to help you make better decisions, not to stress you out.
Inside your Pinterest analytics and Google Analytics, pay attention to:
- Which pins are driving the most outbound clicks?
- Which topics consistently perform well?
- Which boards send the most traffic?
Lean into what is already working. Create more content and more pins around those themes, and slowly phase out what is not performing.
Final Thoughts: Pinterest as a Long-Term Traffic Strategy
Pinterest is not a quick fix, but it is a powerful long-term asset for your blog. When you:
- Treat it like a search engine.
- Create helpful, search-friendly blog content.
- Design clear, clickable pins.
- Show up with a sustainable weekly workflow.
You set your blog up to attract readers long after you hit publish.
If you are ready to take the guesswork out of how to use Pinterest, pin writing and design, your next step is to create a simple Pinterest system that fits your energy and schedule so you can grow your traffic without living on social media all day.
11 Comments on An Easy Guide on How to Use Pinterest for Bloggers
I never understand it when bloggers don’t use Pinterest. It took me a while to get into the swing of using it but now it is one of my biggest traffic sources x
Haha it took my awhile too, but never looked back
Pinterest is such a good tool for traffic!JenniferCurated By Jennifer
I totally agree!
I spend far too much time on Pinterest. I just love it!Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk
Haha, its just such a great platform
I know everyone raves about pinterest and this is a really great guide for how to get setup to use it! I struggle so much with finding time to blog though so finding time for pinterest is always in the “maybe later” basket, haha! I think if I was more serious about my blog rather than just a hobby I’d definitely have to make the time for Pinterest.Hope you have a good weekend ahead of you! Fun one here, a birthday party to go to each day!
You should definitely give Pinterest a go! You can be gaining so much more traffic
I’ve saved this as I really don’t utilise Pinterest at all! xBeautylymin
You should definitely give Pinterest a shot! It’s worth investing your time in.
I really need to spend some time playing on Pinterest – I had no idea you could have a business account!Jasmine xx