At Remitly, we aren’t here to just help you send money, but to make it, too! This time, we’re focusing on Pinterest, an often overlooked platform with a wealth of untapped potential.
Many people today are looking for ways to earn extra cash online. But most tend to forget that Pinterest isn’t just another social media app; it’s a powerful visual search engine that lets users find, save, and share images and videos. It attracts an audience with a search-first mindset—they’re looking for specific products, ideas, and inspiration. This mission-oriented use is what makes the platform truly stand out.
Wondering where to start on Pinterest? Our guide will not only outline its benefits as an income stream, but also offer actionable strategies to set you up for success. So, whether you’re a beginner or have already been pinning for fun, we’ll show you how to monetize your content and boost your earnings.
Why is Pinterest perfect for making money?
Pinterest is the 15th most popular social media platform in the world, with 570 million active users worldwide. This means it’s an ideal place to grow your business, even if you’re just starting out.
Let’s examine the audience and algorithm to better understand how to turn clicks into sales.
Pinterest’s highly engaged audience
According to the latest data, women make up 70.3% of Pinterest’s user base, with most being between 18 and 24 years old.
The majority of users come to the platform actively searching for certain information or to invest in specific services or products. From home decor to books, DIY inspiration and more, every category is filled with purposeful visual content—or pins—made with the consumer in mind.
After mastering the basics, one of the first things to understand when starting or scaling your business is your audience. By knowing what drives Pinterest users, you can implement best practices to attract their interest and, more importantly, keep them coming back.
How the Pinterest algorithm works
Pinterest works like a search engine—a visual one. Searches are optimized by algorithms that show results based on users’ behavior and interests.
Pinterest’s algorithm assesses what pins a user should see based on a mix of factors, including:
- Keyword relevance
- Titles and descriptions
- Image quality
- User interaction
- Domain quality, meaning how strong your website or expertise is
With the right optimization, your pins can generate traffic and sales for months, maybe even years, after they’re posted.
Set up your Pinterest for success
To help make your Pinterest venture a success, you’ll need to take a few practical steps first. This includes preparing your account for monetization and figuring out your niche so you can harness the power of SEO.
Creating a Pinterest Business Account
Setting up a Pinterest Business Account is essential if you want to make money on the platform. You’ll also have access to important business features, like Pinterest Analytics, access to the Creator Hub, and the ability to market your business using Promoted Pins.
Setting up a business account is completely free. If you already own a business, using links to your Etsy shop, Shopify store, or e-commerce website makes verification much easier.
That said, verification isn’t mandatory, and you don’t need an existing business, blog, or website to make money on Pinterest. However, it does enhance your credibility and helps your pins rank higher.
Search Engine Optimization
But doing well on Pinterest isn’t just about opening the right account; it’s about having a vision. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is key to finding your audience and increasing brand visibility.
Even with AI changing the internet landscape, SEO remains essential for your success on Pinterest, as with many other online businesses. It involves making your profile more appealing to the Pinterest algorithm so that it ranks higher in search results.
The first step to accomplishing this is to identify your niche. Once you understand your positioning, you can determine your target audience, relevant keywords, and the type of content that best fits your brand. You can also utilize SEO in several ways:
- Optimize your profile: Tailor your username and profile name by using your brand name or including a niche-specific keyword. Also, create an attractive bio with relevant keywords describing what your brand is about. If you have a website, claim it to track traffic and boost your domain authority.
- Optimize your boards: Create accurate and descriptive board names using high-ranked keywords. Add new pins regularly and ensure they are well-organized, grouping similar images and videos to help users quickly find what they’re looking for.
- Optimize your pins: Use high-quality, vertical images and write descriptions incorporating relevant keywords. You can also use rich pins, which display valuable information from your site if you have one, and consider transitioning to video content, which is becoming more popular on Pinterest.
- Be active and consistent: The Pinterest algorithm prioritizes content from active accounts. Keep a consistent posting schedule, engage with other users, and track your analytics to keep content fresh and engaging.
Remember, the more specific you become with your boards, pins, and descriptions, the easier it will be for your audience to find you. Adding alternative text to your pins will also improve accessibility and SEO.
The value of catchy visuals
Once you’ve got your text right, don’t forget about creating eye-catching visuals. Tools like Canva can make it easy to design beautiful pins that stand out in the Pinterest feed, especially if you use bold fonts, consistent brand colors, and the ideal image size.
- Choose a clear profile picture that speaks to your brand.
- Use vertical images, ideally with a 2:3 aspect ratio, or 1000x1500px.
- Use quality, high-resolution images to avoid pixelation.
- Large, bold texts that contrast with your image let pins stand out more.
- Warm colors perform better than cooler tones on Pinterest.
- Adding design elements like shapes, illustrations, and icons makes images more attractive.
- Keep it simple and avoid cluttering your pins with too many elements.
Monetizing your Pinterest account
Now that you’ve identified your market and optimized your profile, it’s time to explore how to make money on Pinterest. The platform offers several avenues for monetization, no matter which point you’re starting from.
Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is a great starting point if you don’t have an existing business or blog, since it allows you to promote other companies’ products. Just create visually appealing pins that convert views into sales, and you’ll earn a commission each time someone makes a purchase through the affiliate link. Even better, you can add affiliate links directly to a pin, which will help you direct traffic where you want it to go.
Platforms like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and Shopify offer affiliate programs you can join. Consider whether you want to target a niche with an array of relevant products or focus on big-ticket items, such as software.
However, don’t forget that when using affiliate links in the US, you need to follow FTC guidelines and mark each pin with disclosures like “#ad” or “affiliate link”. Doing so guarantees that you’ll stay compliant and avoid having your pins or profile taken down.
Affiliate link tips: Choose products that align with your audience’s interests, and create pins that offer value.
Selling digital products
Digital products are another great way to earn passive income on Pinterest. Once you have created a digital product, you only need to upload pins that promote it. You don’t even need a website of your own, as sites like Etsy and Gumroad can host all your products in one place.
Popular digital products include printable planners, digital planners, social media templates, and eBooks. With unlimited resale potential, making money online with digital products is a reliable revenue stream with high profit margins.
Paid offerings
If you already have a product or sell courses and coaching sessions, Pinterest can effectively drive traffic to your offerings.
When creating your pins, use a strong call-to-action to lead users to your store or landing page. For example, if you’re selling a life coaching course, your pin might read: “Transform your life today—sign up now!”
You can build an audience with Pinterest Idea Pins, nurturing users and gaining their trust with educational content before leading them to your paid services.
Join Pinterest’s creator program
The final avenue to monetization we’ll explore is Pinterest’s Creator Fund. This program offers numerous tools to help content creators generate the results they want. Through features like Shuffles, Idea Pins, and dedicated video content, you can collaborate with brands or earn from Pinterest directly.
Visit the Pinterest Creator Hub to learn how to qualify for the Fund and get the support you need to monetize your content successfully.
Leverage Pinterest ads
When you’re ready to scale your monetization efforts, Pinterest ads can significantly increase your visibility. Promoted Pins will push your content to a much larger, more targeted audience.
Paid ads might be optional, but they can be a powerful way to boost your revenue, especially if you’re selling digital products or working with affiliate links. Even if your budget is only $5 USD a day, you can still reach targeted audiences based on interests, age, gender, and relevant keywords. Just follow these easy tips:
- Use long-tail keywords to expand your target audience.
- Start with engagement campaigns to build audiences first, then retarget warm leads.
- Monitor your conversion metrics and tweak ads as needed.
- When creating an ad, use optimal sizes so that nothing is cut off.
- Standard video ads: 1:1 square or 2:3, 4:5, 9:16 vertical
- Standard ads: 2:3 aspect ratio
- Idea pins: 9:16 aspect ratio
Analyze and improve performance
Succeeding on Pinterest requires more than just posting great content; you need to know what’s working and why. Analyzing performance helps you refine your strategy for better results.
Pinterest Business accounts come with built-in analytics that track impressions, link clicks, saves, and more. These metrics help you see what’s working so you can double down on successful strategies. Here’s everything you can track using Pinterest Analytics:
- Impressions: Are people seeing your content?
- Saves: Are users engaging with your content?
- Link clicks: Are users taking action?
If people see your content but don’t engage or click, you might need to rework your CTA’s or images. But if no one is seeing your pins and you don’t have the budget just yet for ads, consider your niche and targeting keywords to get your content in front of an audience.
Don’t stop pinning
Consistency will help you grow your Pinterest business. If you’re committed to your journey on the platform, you’ll see significant improvements in your reach and income. Posting daily and mixing original and curated content will put you on the right track to success. You can even use scheduling and content creation tools to help you stay on top of your posting needs.
Remember, while trial and error might initially feel frustrating, building a business takes time and dedication. Don’t be discouraged, and get pinning!
FAQs
How much can you earn on Pinterest?
While we can’t give you an exact number, as earnings vary depending on your marketing strategies, we can tell you that affiliate marketers and product sellers can make anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars monthly.
Do I need a blog to make money on Pinterest?
No! Pinterest makes it easy for you to earn money without a blog through affiliate links or direct sales of digital products.
Is Pinterest free to use for business purposes?
Yes, you can create a Pinterest Business Account for free. Optional paid tools like Promoted Pins can further boost your reach.
How long does it take to start earning on Pinterest?
Results vary depending on your niche, consistency, and engagement, but with time and effort, you could start making money on Pinterest within three to six months.