Increase Reach and Drive with these 6 Pinterest SEO Tips
Pinterest is essentially a search engine for ideas. People get recommended pins on their home feed based on their interests and past searches, or by searching keywords or phrases in the search bar function on the platform. So if you aren’t treating your brand’s content on Pinterest like you would other content that is searchable online, you are missing out on reaching key target audiences.
In this article, we’re taking a look at how to improve your Pinterest search engine optimization (SEO) strategy to optimize your pins for increased reach and higher ROI (return on investment) rates.
Pinterest is an Inspiration Search Engine, Not a Social Network
We’d argue that SEO on Pinterest is more important than on any other social platform! Pinterest is a powerful visual discovery tool. On this platform, content lives on and gets surfaced and resurfaced over and over again, not for mere minutes, but for months!
People come to this platform to discover new ideas and be inspired. They also come to Pinterest to visually shop. Their home feed is full of pins and ads based on things they have previously searched for and saved, making keywords and phrases crucial!
Since Pinterest is primarily built for search and discovery, your content gets a longer shelf life than it would on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. This is why having a search engine optimization strategy is so important.
Tips to Improve Your Pinterest SEO
1 | Update Your Profile Name
One of the quickest and easiest ways to improve your Pinterest SEO is to refresh your profile. Start by adding keywords to your display name. Be sure to pick words that accurately reflect your brand, but also help you get discovered in relevant searches. In addition to your display name, be sure to give your username some thought too. Your username is part of your profile’s URL, so pick something that is direct, concise, and memorable. Also, it’s smart to use the same username across your social channels, which helps with cross-platform discoverability.
2 | Craft a “Rich” Bio
Your bio can be straightforward or creative, as long as you are strategic about using rich keywords! Not sure where to start? Begin by explaining who you are and what you can do or offer. After this first draft, consider keywords that someone might use to find you on Pinterest and make sure those are sprinkled into your bio.
3 | Claim Your Website
Claiming your website URL on Pinterest allows you to display it on your Pinterest profile, which helps with cross promotion! It also means that when someone pins content from your site, it gives you access to analytics and increases your content’s visibility. It can also help build trust as that content is seen as coming from a legitimate source.
4 | Make Your Boards Discoverable
Pinterest boards are a great opportunity for you to boost your brand’s discoverability on the platform. To optimize your boards for discoverability, name your boards with strategic keywords or phrases. While we all love a creative board name, searchable terms offer better SEO.
5 | Share Captivating, Original Content
Now let’s start with the content creation on Pinterest. It’s important to design images that stop users in their tracks, getting them to view, save, and even engage with your pin. Sharing content that is visually appealing, original, and timely can increase the likelihood that someone will engage with your pins including visiting the link, making a purchase, or commenting on your pin.
6 | Write Strategic Pin Titles and Descriptions
Beyond the visual aspect of a pin, the words you use in the title, description, and alt text play a big role in improving your SEO on the platform. Your pin title and description should be strategic, containing keywords or phrases that will get your pin to show up in the right searches. Titles are 100 characters, so keep your title simple and relevant. Descriptions can be up to 500 characters, but the first 50-60 are what Pinners see on their feed, so make sure the most important and relevant info comes first in your description! Further, your alt text should describe your image and be geared toward ease of use for visually impaired users. If you can sprinkle in keywords here, it’s a great bonus!
Final Thoughts
Ensuring that your profile and content on Pinterest is full of keywords and phrases will boost your discoverability and your ROI. Pinterest is essentially a visual search engine. It returns images based on search terms or previous searches and saves, so using keywords is crucial! Having an SEO strategy for Pinterest will ensure that your content remains viable for months, increasing your brand’s reach.
Need help developing your Pinterest strategy? Tintero Creative works with your brand to help you break through the digital noise and get noticed! Connect with us today to learn more about how we can help improve your brand’s digital presence.