Pinterest SEO Guide 2026: Get found and drive traffic

If you’ve been wondering how to get more Pinterest traffic in 2026, the answer lies in mastering Pinterest SEO. Pinterest isn’t a typical social media platform, it’s a powerful visual search engine. And when you understand how to optimise your profile, boards, and pins for Pinterest search, your content can keep working for you long after you’ve pinned it.

In this guide, you’ll learn how Pinterest SEO works, where to use Pinterest keywords, and how to optimise your account so your pins get discovered... not just this month, but for months (or even years) to come.

To make the most of Pinterest SEO, it helps to understand how the Pinterest algorithm works.

Pinterest’s algorithm uses several ranking signals:

• Keywords: Help Pinterest understand what your content is about.

• Engagement: Saves, clicks, and close-ups show Pinterest your pin is valuable.

• Freshness: Pinterest prioritises new, relevant content that leads to active pages.

• Relevance: Pins that closely match what people are searching for will appear higher in Pinterest search.

When you combine these elements with strategic Pinterest optimisation, you’re giving your pins the best possible chance to show up in front of your ideal audience, and drive ongoing Pinterest traffic!

Knowing how to use Pinterest keywords is key to effective Pinterest optimisation. Keywords tell the Pinterest algorithm what your pins, boards, and profile are about.

Here’s where to place them:

• Profile name and bio: Include your niche and a few targeted Pinterest keywords naturally.

• Board titles and descriptions: Use clear, keyword-rich names that describe what users can expect.

• Pin titles: Write compelling, descriptive titles that include your main Pinterest keyword. (Check out my Pinterest Content Generator to help you with this!)

• Pin descriptions: Add 1 or 2 secondary keywords and a short call to action. (Again, my Pinterest Content Generator can help you with this!)

• Text on pin images: Pinterest can read this too, it reinforces your topic for better SEO.

💡Keep it natural. Keyword-stuffing can confuse the Pinterest algorithm and reduce your reach.

You don’t need fancy tools to find the best Pinterest keywords, Pinterest gives you everything you need:

• Use the Pinterest search bar: Start typing a topic and note the auto-suggested terms. Those are real Pinterest keywords users are searching for right now.

• Pinterest Trends tool: Go to trends.pinterest.com to explore what’s trending and when interest peaks.

• Your analytics: Check which pins already bring in impressions and clicks, that’s what the Pinterest algorithm is responding to!

The goal is to blend Pinterest SEO with natural keyword placement, helping Pinterest connect your content with users who are ready to click, save, and visit your website.

Here’s where things get exciting: Pinterest SEO and Google SEO work hand-in-hand.

Your Pinterest optimisation doesn’t just help you get found on Pinterest, it also supports your visibility on Google.

Pinterest pins often appear in Google image results, which means you can capture double the traffic when your content ranks well on both platforms.

That’s why Pinterest SEO is one of the most powerful forms of evergreen marketing. A well-optimised pin can drive Pinterest traffic for months or years, feeding a steady stream of visitors to your blog, freebie, or shop without relying on social media algorithms.

Even small tweaks can make a big difference to your Pinterest SEO results.

Here are a few common mistakes and how to fix them:

❌ Using broad, generic keywords
✅ Choose long-tail Pinterest keywords that match search intent.

❌ Skipping board descriptions
✅ Add short, keyword-rich summaries to help the Pinterest algorithm understand your boards.

❌ Linking to irrelevant pages
✅ Make sure every pin links to a valuable, related blog post or product.

❌ Inconsistent pinning
✅ Even one or two new pins a day helps your Pinterest SEO and keeps your content fresh.

Small improvements in Pinterest optimisation can help your content show up more often, build trust with Pinterest, and bring you more consistent Pinterest traffic.