How Can Businesses Maximise Visibility?
When most business owners think about social media marketing, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn usually come to mind. But Pinterest? It’s often underestimated—and that’s a mistake. Pinterest is not just a place for planning weddings or finding home décor inspiration. It’s a visual search engine with serious potential for product visibility, traffic, and conversions.
But, like all platforms, success lies in understanding the algorithm. So, how does the Pinterest algorithm work—and more importantly, how can you post your pins for maximum impact?
Let’s dive in.
The Pinterest Algorithm: What You Need to Know
At its core, Pinterest’s algorithm is designed to show users content that is relevant, timely, and engaging. Unlike the fast-paced feeds of other platforms, Pinterest content has a longer shelf life—pins can resurface and drive traffic months or even years after they’re published.
Pinterest uses a combination of factors to determine what shows up in a user’s home feed, search results, and “related pins” sections. Here’s what it pays attention to:
1. Pin Quality
This refers to how popular and engaging your pin is. Pins that get saved, clicked, or commented on frequently are seen as high-quality. If users engage with your content, Pinterest is more likely to show it to others.
2. Pinner Quality
Pinterest rewards consistency. If you regularly post valuable content and users engage with your account, Pinterest sees you as a trustworthy content creator.
3. Relevance (a.k.a. SEO)
Pinterest is a visual search engine. It scans the text in your pin description, board titles, and even file names to understand what your content is about. Keywords are king here!
4. Freshness of Content
Pinterest prioritises new content. That doesn’t always mean brand-new images—it can also mean fresh pin designs, descriptions, or formats for existing links.
So, How Should Businesses Post for Maximum Visibility?
Knowing the algorithm is only half the battle. Let’s explore how to use that knowledge to boost visibility for your pins:
✅ 1. Use Keyword-Rich Descriptions
Think of Pinterest as part social media, part Google. You wouldn’t upload a blog without optimising it for search—so don’t upload a pin without a keyword-optimised description.
Tip: Use tools like Pinterest Trends or even Google’s autocomplete feature to identify what your audience is searching for. Include keywords naturally in your pin titles, descriptions, and even board names.
✅ 2. Design Visually Compelling Pins
Your pin image is the first thing users see. Make it count. Use:
- Bold, easy-to-read text overlays
- High-resolution vertical images (2:3 ratio, e.g., 1000 x 1500 pixels)
- Brand colours and fonts for consistency
Remember: Pinterest is mobile-first—make sure your pins look great on a small screen!
✅ 3. Create Fresh Pins Regularly
Even if you’re linking to the same product or blog post, design a new image for it. Pinterest sees each new image as a “fresh pin,” which helps boost visibility.
Try: Using Canva templates to batch-create multiple pin variations in one sitting.
✅ 4. Post Consistently
Pinterest favours active accounts. Aim to post daily, even if it’s just a few pins. Tools like Tailwind or Pinterest’s native scheduler make this easy.
Pro tip: You don’t have to post only your own content. Curating and repinning relevant content also supports account health.
✅ 5. Organise Your Boards Properly
Pinterest scans board titles and descriptions to categorise your content. Keep them specific and keyword-focused (e.g., “Minimalist Office Furniture Ideas” vs. “Office Stuff”).
This helps Pinterest know when to show your content—and to whom.
A Quick Analogy
Think of Pinterest like a digital magazine stand. If your content is the cover of a magazine, it needs to stand out and clearly show what’s inside (relevance), attract a loyal readership (consistent branding), and be refreshed often (fresh content). Get that right, and your pins will keep working for you long after they go live.
Final Thoughts – Why It’s Worth It
If you’re a product-based business, Pinterest is a goldmine. It’s not just a place where people browse—it’s a platform where people come with intent to act. In fact, over 80% of weekly pinners have discovered a new brand or product on Pinterest.
So, take the time to:
- Understand the algorithm
- Optimise your content
- Show up consistently
Your effort today could lead to weeks, months, even years of visibility and website traffic. And if you need a hand setting up your Pinterest for business success, you know where to find me.
Let’s Pin to Win.
Got a Pinterest account gathering dust? Let’s make it work harder for you. Contact me at marknorthall.com to get started.