How To Rank On Pinterest

Learning how to rank on Pinterest is one of those things that feels a little mysterious at first, but once you understand how the platform actually works, it starts to make a lot more sense.

Pinterest ranking isn't reserved for the accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers. With the right strategy, anyone can improve their Pinterest rank and start driving serious, consistent traffic. 

There’s a lot more to explore when it comes to growing sustainably — start with the Growth Brief.

How Pinterest Ranking Works

Pinterest's algorithm considers a combination of factors to determine where your pins appear in search results.

The main things Pinterest considers are:

• Relevance, or does your pin match what someone is searching for?

• Pin quality or how much engagement (saves, clicks, close-ups) does your pin get?

• Domain quality, or how trustworthy and active is the website your pin links to?

• Pinner quality, or how consistently and actively do you use the platform?

• Visual appeal, or does your pin stand out and encourage clicks?

That last point brings me to one of the most important (and most overlooked) parts of Pinterest strategy, and that's visual ranking.

Visual Ranking Role

Visual ranking means Pinterest assesses the visual quality of your pins when deciding where to place them in the feed and search results. A pin that looks professional, on-brand, and eye-catching is far more likely to get clicks and saves. This, in turn, signals to Pinterest that it's worth showing to more people.

Think of visual ranking as the first impression your content makes. If your pin blends into the background or looks cluttered and hard to read, people will scroll straight past it, and Pinterest will take note.

Strong visual ranking isn't about being a graphic designer, but more about being intentional with how your content looks. To improve it, I advise you to focus on:

• Using a vertical format (2:3 ratio—ideally 1000 x 1500 pixels)

• Bold, easy-to-read text overlays that communicate value instantly

• A clean, consistent design that reflects your brand

• High-quality images or graphics, no blurry or pixelated visuals

• Colours that contrast well and stand out against Pinterest's white background

Step-by-Step Guide To Ranking On Pinterest

1. Keyword Research

Keywords are the backbone of how to rank on Pinterest, just like SEO is for Google. Use Pinterest's own search bar to find what people are actually searching for. Type in your topic and look at the suggested searches that pop up. Those are actually the real terms real people are using.

Now, incorporate those keywords naturally into your:

• Pin title

• Pin description

• Board names and board descriptions

• Pinterest profile bio

2. Consistent Fresh Pin Creation

Pinterest loves fresh content, but that doesn't mean you need to create brand-new blog posts every week. All this means is creating new pin designs that link to your existing content. Multiple pins per piece of content means more chances to rank.

My suggestion is to aim for 5–10 fresh pins per week and spread them out rather than posting everything at once.

3. Pining to Relevant Boards

Your boards act as categories that help Pinterest understand what your content is about. Make sure every pin goes to the most relevant board, and ensure your boards have keyword-rich names and descriptions.

Avoid dumping everything onto a generic "My Blog Posts" board. You want to get specific.

4. Profile Optimisation

Your Pinterest rank is also influenced by your overall account health. This is why your profile should be complete, the bio should include your main keywords, and you should have a claimed website. A verified website tells Pinterest (and your audience) that you're a legitimate, trustworthy source.

5. Platform Engagement

Consistency signals to the algorithm that you're a reliable creator worth promoting. Pinterest rewards active pinners, so you want to spend a little time each week on:

• Saving other people's content to relevant boards

• Responding to comments

• Keeping your account active

Track and Tweak

You have to remember that learning how to rank on Pinterest is not a one-and-done activity but more of an ongoing process. Check your Pinterest analytics regularly to see which pins are getting the most impressions and clicks, and use that data to inform what you create next.

Pay attention to:

• Which topics are getting the most traction

• Which pin designs are driving the most clicks

• Which boards are your top-performing pins saved to

Once you spot what's working, do more of it. And when something isn't landing, don't be afraid to try a new design or tweak the description.

Final Thoughts

Improving Pinterest rankings takes a little patience, a good dose of consistency, and a solid understanding of how visual ranking plays into the bigger picture. But the payoff is absolutely worth it. Start with your keywords, nail your visuals, and show up consistently. Let Pinterest do the rest.

Wondering what this actually looks like in practice? You’ll find real direction inside the Growth Brief.

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