How to Use Pinterest: A Complete 2025 Tutorial
Pinterest has become a go-to platform for visual discovery, where people find inspiration, save ideas, and plan projects with images and videos known as “Pins.” But it’s not just for personal use anymore. Businesses are using Pinterest to get their brand in front of the right audience, drive traffic, and boost sales. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use Pinterest effectively for your business, including tips on setting up your account, increasing engagement, and using Metricool to keep things running smoothly.
What is Pinterest Used For?
Unlike other social platforms, Pinterest isn’t about quick updates or chatting with friends. People come here to find inspiration, plan projects, and discover new things—whether it’s a recipe, a new outfit, or a business they’ve never heard of before.
Here’s what makes Pinterest so popular:
- A giant mood board – Users collect and organize ideas on different “Boards.”
- A planning tool – Many use it for big life events like weddings, home makeovers, or business projects.
- A shopping hub – People don’t just browse; they buy. Pinterest makes it easy to find and purchase products.
- A discovery engine – Unlike Google, where people search for specific things, Pinterest helps them stumble upon new ideas.
If you run a business, that last point is huge. Instead of waiting for customers to type your brand name into a search bar, you can get in front of people who are already looking for what you offer—even if they don’t know you exist yet.
What Makes Pinterest Different?
Unlike most social media platforms, where content disappears fast and trends change overnight, Pinterest is all about discovery, inspiration, and long-term engagement. It’s more like a visual search engine than a traditional social network, making it a unique place for both users and businesses.
Pinterest is a Search Engine, Not a Social Feed
On Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, people follow their favorite accounts and engage with content in real time. But Pinterest works differently—users don’t come here to chat or keep up with the latest viral trend. Instead, they search for ideas, solutions, and inspiration.
Think of it this way:
- Instagram = A place to connect with friends and influencers
- TikTok = A place to be entertained and discover trending content
- Pinterest = A place to plan, research, and take action
This means that instead of focusing on likes, comments, and followers, Pinterest success comes from creating useful content that people want to save and refer back to later.
Pins Don’t Disappear—They Keep Working for You
Most social media posts have a short shelf life:
- A tweet? Gone in hours.
- An Instagram story? Gone in 24 hours.
- A TikTok video? Maybe a week if it goes viral.
But Pins? They can stay relevant for months or even years.
Since Pinterest is powered by search, a well-made Pin can continue getting views, saves, and clicks long after it’s posted. This makes Pinterest an incredible tool for driving traffic over time. Unlike Instagram or Facebook, where you constantly need to post new content to stay visible, a single Pin can bring steady visitors to your website for months.
If you’re a business, blogger, or content creator, this means:
✔ You don’t have to rely on constant posting to stay relevant.
✔ Your content has a longer lifespan, making your effort more worthwhile.
✔ A well-optimized Pin can drive consistent traffic to your site or shop.
A Positive, Inspirational Space (Without the Drama)
If you’ve ever scrolled through Twitter or Facebook and felt overwhelmed by arguments, negativity, or bad news, you’re not alone. Unlike other platforms that thrive on controversy and debate, Pinterest is designed to be a stress-free, inspiring space.
People come here to find:
- New outfit ideas, not online drama.
- Home decor inspiration, not political arguments.
- Delicious recipes, not heated debates.
Because of this, Pinterest feels calm, creative, and solution-focused—which is part of why people enjoy spending time here. And for businesses, it’s the perfect place to connect with potential customers in a positive and helpful way.
People Use Pinterest to Plan (Not Just Scroll Mindlessly)
Ever opened Instagram or TikTok and realized you just wasted an hour watching random videos? That’s because most platforms are designed for endless scrolling.
Pinterest is different. People don’t just browse—they search with a purpose.
Users come here to actively plan things like:
- What to cook this week (meal prep, recipes, grocery lists)
- How to redecorate a room (DIY home projects, furniture ideas)
- What to wear next season (fashion trends, outfit inspiration)
- How to grow a business (marketing tips, branding ideas)
- What to buy for an event (birthday gifts, wedding decor, holiday shopping)
This is great for businesses because it means Pinterest users aren’t just looking for entertainment—they’re looking for solutions. If your brand can provide useful content (like styling tips, tutorials, or shopping guides), you have a real chance to reach an audience that’s ready to take action.
How Pinterest Works in 2025
Pinterest has come a long way from being just a digital scrapbook. It’s now a powerful tool for businesses, creators, and shoppers alike. Whether you’re looking to promote your brand or get more eyes on your content, understanding how Pinterest works today will help you get better results.
Key Features
Pinterest keeps rolling out new features to make the platform more interactive, engaging, and shopping-friendly. Here are some of the most useful tools available in 2025:
- Visual Search Technology: Snap a picture, and Pinterest will find similar images and products.
- Boards: A way to organize Pins into topics for easy browsing.
- Buyable Pins: Let customers shop straight from your Pins.
- Rich Pins: Include extra details like pricing, product descriptions, or ingredient lists.
- Video Pins: Short videos that stand out in a sea of static images.
- Idea Pins: Multi-page Pins that work like stories, perfect for step-by-step guides, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes content.
Pinterest Algorithm
Pinterest’s algorithm decides which Pins show up first in search results and users’ home feeds. While it’s always changing, these factors continue to play a big role in how much exposure your content gets:
- High Click Rates: If people are clicking on your Pin, that tells Pinterest it’s interesting and useful, so they’ll show it to more users. Try adding clear, bold text overlays to grab attention.
- Saves and Comments: The more people save your Pins to their Boards, the more Pinterest pushes them to a wider audience. Encourage interaction by asking questions in your descriptions.
- Strong Keywords: Pinterest works like a search engine, so adding relevant keywords in your Pin titles, descriptions, and Board names helps your content get found. For example, instead of naming a Board “Yummy Recipes,” go for “Easy 30-Minute Dinner Recipes” to attract more searches.
- Image Quality: Blurry, cluttered, or dark images won’t cut it. Pinterest prioritizes Pins that are visually appealing, so bright, clear, well-designed images tend to do better.
- Consistent Activity: Pinterest rewards users who Pin regularly. Instead of posting a ton of content all at once and disappearing, try scheduling a few Pins each day. Tools like Metricool make it easy to stay consistent without spending hours pinning manually.
Pinterest Demographics & Statistics
As of 2025, Pinterest has 553 million monthly active users. If you’re wondering whether your target audience can be found there, here’s a breakdown of who’s using the platform today:
- Gen Z (42% of users) is the fastest-growing demographic. If your brand caters to younger consumers, this is a platform you shouldn’t ignore.
- Women still make up the majority (69.4%), but male users (22.6%) are growing. Men’s fashion, fitness, and tech-related content are becoming increasingly popular on Pinterest.
- The average user spends 14 minutes per day on Pinterest. That might not sound like a lot, but users tend to be highly engaged and actively searching for ideas.
- 28% of Pinterest users are high-income earners. If you sell premium products or services, Pinterest is a great place to find customers who are willing to spend.
- 96% of top Pinterest searches are unbranded. That means people aren’t searching for specific companies—they’re looking for general ideas. This is great news for small businesses because it levels the playing field.
- Pinterest shoppers spend 80% more per month than users on other platforms. People come here to shop, and they’re not afraid to open their wallets.
If your brand has anything visually appealing to share—products, designs, tutorials, or even well-designed blog graphics—you should be on Pinterest. Since so many searches are unbranded, even small businesses have a shot at showing up in search results. And because people use Pinterest to plan purchases, a well-placed Pin could bring in traffic (and sales) months down the line.
Benefits of Pinterest for Marketing
Pinterest isn’t just a place for finding recipes and DIY projects—it’s a powerful marketing tool that can help businesses drive traffic, boost sales, and build a loyal audience over time.
Whether you’re a small business, a content creator, or an e-commerce brand, Pinterest offers a unique way to connect with people actively looking for what you offer.
1. Drives Consistent Traffic to Your Website
One of the biggest advantages of Pinterest? It actually sends people to your website.
Unlike Instagram, where links are limited, or TikTok, where users stay in the app, Pinterest is built for click-throughs. People come here to discover ideas and take action, whether that means reading a blog post, shopping for a product, or signing up for a service.
- Every Pin you post can link directly to your website—giving you a steady stream of visitors.
- Pins have long lifespans, meaning they keep driving traffic weeks, months, or even years after posting.
- Since Pinterest users are actively searching for things, they’re more likely to click through to learn more.
For bloggers, service providers, or e-commerce brands, this makes Pinterest one of the best platforms for organic traffic without having to constantly create new content.
💡Pro Tip: Use eye-catching visuals, clear calls to action, and keyword-rich descriptions to encourage more clicks!
2. Builds Brand Awareness (Without Feeling Like an Ad)
People don’t come to Pinterest to scroll through ads—they come to find ideas, inspiration, and solutions. That’s why it’s such a great place to showcase your brand in a natural way.
By consistently posting high-quality content that aligns with your brand’s message, you can:
✔ Get your brand in front of a highly engaged audience
✔ Visually reinforce your brand identity with consistent colors, fonts, and themes
✔ Position yourself as a go-to resource in your industry
Since Pinterest content lasts way longer than a typical Instagram post or Facebook ad, your brand can stay top of mind for potential customers long after they first see your Pins.
💡Pro Tip: Create themed boards that reflect your brand and industry. For example, a fitness brand could have Boards for “Home Workout Routines,” “Healthy Meal Prep,” and “Running Tips.”
3. Reaches the Right Audience with Targeted Ads
Pinterest Ads make it easy to get in front of the right people, even if they’ve never heard of your brand before. Unlike traditional social media advertising, where users may not be in “buying mode,” Pinterest users are actively searching for things to purchase, try, or learn.
With Pinterest Ads, you can:
✔ Target users based on interests, behaviors, demographics, and keywords
✔ Retarget people who have already interacted with your content
✔ Promote specific products, blog posts, or services to a highly engaged audience
Pinterest also offers Shop the Look Ads, where users can click directly on different parts of an image to buy specific products. This makes it easier than ever to turn casual browsers into paying customers.
💡Pro Tip: Start with a small ad budget and test different Pin designs to see what gets the most engagement.
4. Increases Sales (Without Feeling Pushy)
Pinterest is one of the best platforms for e-commerce businesses because users come here to shop. With features like Buyable Pins, Rich Pins, and Pinterest Shops, selling on Pinterest is easier than ever. Whether you run an Etsy store, a Shopify shop, or a print-on-demand business, Pinterest can help you get your products in front of people who are ready to buy.
💡Pro Tip: Make sure to enable Rich Pins so your product listings automatically update with the latest price, availability, and descriptions.
5. Gives You Valuable Analytics to Improve Your Strategy
Pinterest isn’t just a guessing game—it provides detailed insights to help you understand what’s working (and what’s not).
With Pinterest Analytics, you can track:
✔ Which Pins are getting the most saves, clicks, and engagement
✔ What keywords people are using to find your content
✔ The demographics of your audience (age, location, gender, etc.)
✔ How much traffic Pinterest is sending to your website
This data allows you to fine-tune your strategy, so you can create more of what your audience actually wants.
💡Pro Tip: Use Metricool to schedule Pins, track performance, and analyze trends all in one place.
6. Positions You as an Industry Expert
Pinterest isn’t just for selling—it’s also for sharing knowledge and building credibility. If you consistently post valuable, informative content, people will start seeing you as an expert in your niche.
Here’s how to stand out as an industry leader:
- Create step-by-step guides, how-to posts, and educational content. (For example, a skincare brand could Pin “The Best Ingredients for Clear Skin” or “Morning vs. Night Skincare Routine.”)
- Use Idea Pins to share tutorials, behind-the-scenes content, or quick tips.
- Write keyword-rich descriptions that explain why your Pin is useful.
When people find genuinely helpful content on Pinterest, they’re more likely to follow you, trust your brand, and eventually buy from you.
How to Use Pinterest
Getting started on Pinterest can seem like a lot at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize how simple and rewarding it can be. Whether you’re just launching your account or looking to refine your Pinterest game, creating and managing your content the right way is key to growing your brand and connecting with your audience.
1. Creating and Editing Your Pinterest Account
Setting up and optimizing your Pinterest business account is the first step to success:
- Sign Up: Visit business.pinterest.com and create a business account.
- Build Your Profile: Add a compelling bio, business details, and links to your website and social media handles.
- Set Up an Ad Account: If you plan to run Pinterest ads, set up your ad account.
- Customize Your Profile: Use your brand’s logo, colors, and messaging for a consistent look.
2. Creating and Managing Pinterest Content
Once your profile is set up, it’s time to dive into the fun part—creating and managing your content. Here’s how to get started.
Finding and Saving Pins
Before you start pinning your own content, take time to browse Pinterest and save ideas you like. This will help you understand what’s working in your niche.
- Search Bar: Use the search bar to discover Pins related to your industry. Whether you sell handmade jewelry or run a coffee shop, you’ll find tons of inspiration!
- Home Feed: Pinterest will curate personalized recommendations based on your interests and previous activity. Use this to discover trends and learn what’s engaging your target audience.
- Save Button: When you find Pins you love or want to reference later, hit the save button. This helps you organize your ideas.
Create Boards
Organize your Pins into boards that make sense for your business. Think of these as categories that help your audience discover your content.
- Create themed boards: For example, a travel agency could have boards like “Adventure Travel Ideas,” “Best Beach Destinations,” or “Solo Travel Tips.”
- Keep your boards organized: Try to have a mix of your own Pins and repins from others in your industry.
Uploading Content
Here’s how to upload your own Pins:
- Click “Create” to start a new Pin.
- Upload your media: Pinterest is a visual platform, so make sure to use high-quality images or videos that reflect your brand.
- Craft your Pin details: Titles and descriptions should be engaging and include relevant keywords to make your content discoverable.
- Choose a Board: Save your Pin to the most relevant board.
- Add a Destination Link: Direct people to your website, product page, or blog for more information.
- Publish or Schedule: You can post immediately or schedule Pins for later—no need to be glued to your phone!
3. Pinterest SEO and Keyword Research
Pinterest is more than a social media platform, it’s a search engine, so getting your content seen depends a lot on how well you optimize your Pins. Here’s how you can make sure your Pins get discovered.
- Keyword Ideas: Use Pinterest’s search bar to discover relevant keywords.
- Incorporate Keywords: Add relevant keywords to your Pin titles, descriptions, and board names.
- High-Quality Images: Pinterest is highly visual, so high-quality images really matter. The better your photos, the more likely people are to engage with your Pins and save them for later.
- Engage Regularly: Just like on any social platform, staying active is important on Pinterest. Pin consistently to maintain visibility. The more you pin, the more likely your content is to show up in users’ feeds!
4. Using Pinterest Analytics
Pinterest gives you valuable data on your content, audience, and performance—this is your chance to fine-tune your strategy and figure out what’s working best.
✔ Access Analytics:
Once you start pinning, go to Pinterest Analytics to see how your Pins are performing. You can track:
- Impressions (how many times your Pins were seen)
- Engagements (how many people interacted with your Pins)
- Audience Insights (who’s engaging with your content)
✔ Identify Top-Performing Pins:
Check out which Pins are getting the most attention, and try to replicate what’s working. Are your followers loving your how-to tutorials? Or is your product Pin for a new launch getting the most clicks?
✔ Analyze Trends:
Pinterest has seasonal trends, so keep an eye on what’s popular and adjust your strategy accordingly. Pinterest will even show you trends in real-time to help you tap into what’s hot.
✔ Optimize Strategy:
Use your analytics to improve your content. If certain types of Pins aren’t doing as well, test new designs or try new keywords to see if engagement improves.
5. Collaborating with Other Pinterest Users
Pinterest is all about community, and engaging with others is a great way to expand your reach and build meaningful connections.
- Find Relevant Accounts: Search for other brands or creators in your niche. Follow them and engage with their content by commenting, repinning, or liking their Pins. This helps you get noticed and connected with others in your field.
- Connect and Engage: Don’t just follow—actively engage with others. Comment on Pins that you find interesting, join group boards, and share ideas with other Pinterest users. Building relationships helps you stay top of mind!
- Build Relationships: If you find an account that aligns with your values or products, reach out directly via Pinterest messages or email. Whether you want to collaborate or simply exchange ideas, relationships can help you grow faster.
- Cross-Promote: Consider working with influencers or other brands for cross-promotion. Whether it’s a co-branded board or shared Pins, collaborating with others helps both of you reach new audiences and expand your visibility.
Using Metricool to Manage Your Pinterest
Pinterest is a powerful platform for building your brand, but it can be time-consuming to manage. The good news? Metricool streamlines the process, giving you all the tools you need to stay on top of your content and track your performance—all from one convenient place.
📅 Schedule Your Content in Advance
Posting on Pinterest at the right time is important, but it’s easy to forget or miss that perfect window. That’s where Metricool’s scheduling feature comes in handy.
With Metricool, you can plan your Pins ahead of time and schedule them to automatically post. This way, you don’t have to worry about manually publishing every day. You’ll keep your content consistent without having to be online 24/7. Simply create your Pins, set the times, and Metricool will handle the rest.
📊 Track Your Performance with Simple Analytics
Tracking how your Pins are performing is a breeze with Metricool. Instead of manually checking stats for each individual Pin, you can get a clear, consolidated view of your Pinterest performance in one place.
You’ll be able to see key metrics like impressions, saves, and clicks. This helps you understand what’s working and where you can improve. Plus, if something isn’t performing as expected, you can easily adjust your approach to drive better results.
🎨 Design Stunning Pins with Canva
The visual appeal of your Pins plays a huge role in catching your audience’s attention. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a design expert to create beautiful Pins. With Metricool’s Canva integration, you can design eye-catching visuals right inside the platform.
Canva offers easy-to-use templates that you can customize to fit your brand. Whether you prefer starting from scratch or using a template, you can create professional-looking Pins that will stand out in your audience’s feed.
📈 Automate Your Reports to Save Time
Regularly tracking and sharing your Pinterest performance is essential, but it can be time-consuming. Metricool helps by automating your reports, saving you from having to pull data manually each time.
You can set up reports that automatically generate detailed insights into your content’s performance, including audience engagement and overall reach. Once the reports are ready, you can have them sent straight to your inbox or share them with team members or clients, keeping everyone in the loop without additional effort.
🤖 Generate Content Tailored to Your Brand Voice
With Metricool’s AI-powered content generation, you can create content that reflects your brand’s unique voice and tone. The AI helps you craft posts that connect with your audience, whether your style is casual, professional, or somewhere in between.
This not only saves you time but also helps your content remain consistent and aligned with your audience’s expectations across Pinterest. Whether you need captions, descriptions, or content ideas, the AI makes the process faster and more efficient.
🔄 Repurpose Popular Content Between Platforms
Repurposing content across platforms is a smart way to get more mileage out of your posts. Metricool can take your most popular content from Pinterest and share it across other platforms, like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, without having to start from scratch.
This helps you maintain a consistent presence on all your channels without spending hours creating new content for each one. Simply adapt your Pinterest content to fit each platform’s style and save yourself time and effort.
📱 Manage All Your Social Media in One Place
If you’re managing multiple social media platforms, bouncing between different tools can quickly become overwhelming. Metricool makes it easy to manage all your accounts—Pinterest included—through one simple dashboard.
Whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, you can track everything from a single place. This makes it easy to stay organized and ensures that your social media efforts are efficient and cohesive.
