TL;DR
Pinterest keywords are the terms people use in the search bar to discover new ideas and products. Mastering them is essential for visibility because Pinterest functions as a visual search engine. The most effective ways to find a valuable Pinterest keywords list include using the platform's search bar suggestions, exploring the Pinterest Ads keyword tool without running a campaign, and analyzing the keywords on top-performing pins in your niche. Strategic placement in your profile, board titles, and pin descriptions ensures the algorithm shows your content to the right audience.
What Are Pinterest Keywords and Why Are They Crucial?
Unlike other social media platforms, Pinterest is fundamentally a visual discovery engine. Users don't just scroll through feeds; they actively search for inspiration, solutions, and products. The terms they type into the search bar are Pinterest keywords. These keywords are the bridge connecting your content to the millions of people looking for it. According to Pinterest, a staggering 97% of top searches are unbranded, creating a massive opportunity for creators and businesses to be discovered based on ideas rather than name recognition.
When you publish a pin, the Pinterest algorithm analyzes its title, description, and even the text on the image to understand its content. This process, sometimes called 'annotation,' involves tagging your pin with relevant keywords and interest categories. For example, if you post a pin titled "Easy Vegan Meal Prep for Beginners," the algorithm annotates it with interests like "Vegan Recipes" and "Healthy Eating." It then matches your pin to users who have shown interest in those topics, placing it in their home feeds and search results. Without the right keywords, Pinterest struggles to categorize your content, severely limiting its reach and potential to go viral.
A common point of confusion is the role of hashtags versus keywords. In the past, hashtags were used for categorization, but their importance has significantly declined. As of 2025, Pinterest no longer recommends using multiple hashtags. The platform's algorithm now prioritizes natural, descriptive language. Stuffing your descriptions with hashtags can look spammy and is less effective than weaving keywords into well-written, human-readable sentences. The focus is squarely on high-quality, descriptive text that serves the user first.
| Feature | Keywords | Hashtags |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Core of Pinterest SEO; used for search queries and content categorization. | Largely deprecated; once used for categorization, now has minimal impact. |
| Best Practice | Integrate naturally into pin titles, descriptions, and board titles. | Avoid using them. Focus on descriptive, keyword-rich sentences instead. |
| Algorithmic Impact | High. Directly influences pin ranking and distribution. | Low to none. Not indexed in a meaningful way for search. |
5 Proven Methods for Pinterest Keyword Research
Finding the right keywords doesn't require expensive tools. Pinterest itself is a goldmine of information if you know where to look. By using the platform's built-in features, you can build a powerful keyword list that reflects exactly what your target audience is searching for. These five methods are free, practical, and highly effective for uncovering high-traffic terms.
- Use the Pinterest Search Bar and Guided SearchThis is the simplest and most direct method. Start by typing a broad keyword related to your niche (e.g., "banana bread") into the Pinterest search bar. Before you press Enter, pay close attention to the autocomplete suggestions that appear in the dropdown menu. These are popular, long-tail keywords that users are actively searching for. After you press Enter, look for the colored tiles or "bubbles" below the search bar. These are Guided Search suggestions that help you narrow down the topic and discover related sub-niches (e.g., "healthy," "vegan," "with cream cheese frosting"). Both autocomplete and guided search are direct lines into the pinner's mind.
- Leverage the Pinterest Ads Keyword Tool (for Free)You can access Pinterest's powerful keyword data without spending a cent on ads. Navigate to the 'Ads' menu and click 'Create campaign.' Choose any objective like 'Consideration' and continue to the ad group settings. Scroll down to the 'Targeting' section, select 'Choose your own,' and then find 'Interests & keywords.' Here, you can enter a seed keyword, and Pinterest will generate a list of related keywords along with their monthly search volume. As detailed in a guide by Stray Curls, this is an invaluable way to prioritize keywords that have a proven audience size.
- Analyze Top-Ranking Competitor PinsThe pins that rank at the top of a search feed are there for a reason—they are well-optimized. Search for one of your target keywords and open the top 3-5 pins. Carefully read their titles and descriptions to identify the keywords they are using. You'll likely see a pattern of recurring terms. For a deeper look, you can use a clever trick outlined by Smart Creative Social: copy the URL of a top pin and open it in a private or incognito browser window. Below the description, Pinterest often displays grey bubbles showing the exact keywords and topics it has associated with that pin.
- Uncover Hidden Keywords on Your Own PinsThe same incognito window trick can be used to analyze your own existing pins. You might be surprised to find that Pinterest has categorized your content with keywords you hadn't considered. This provides insight into how the algorithm currently understands your content and can reveal new keyword opportunities to target more intentionally in the future.
- Explore Pinterest TrendsThe Pinterest Trends tool is the platform's official resource for tracking keyword popularity over time. You can enter a term and see a graph of its search volume over the past year, helping you identify seasonal patterns. For example, searching for "fall decor" will show a sharp spike starting in late summer. The tool also highlights currently trending topics, which can inspire timely content that taps into rising user interest.
How to Strategically Place Keywords for Maximum Reach
Discovering the perfect Pinterest keywords list is only half the battle; knowing where to place them is what makes your content discoverable. The Pinterest algorithm looks for keywords in several key locations to understand and rank your content. Strategic, natural placement is crucial for signaling relevance to both the algorithm and your audience. Avoid "keyword stuffing," which is the practice of unnaturally cramming keywords into text. Instead, focus on writing helpful, compelling copy for humans that seamlessly incorporates your target terms.
Your primary focus should be on these five key areas:
- Profile Name and Bio: Your profile is often the first impression a user has of your brand. Include your most important, overarching keywords in your business name and bio to immediately signal what your account is about.
- Pin Titles: The title is one of the most heavily weighted elements for SEO. It should be clear, compelling, and contain your primary keyword for that specific pin.
- Pin Descriptions: This is where you can elaborate and include multiple relevant and long-tail keywords. Write 2-3 engaging sentences that describe the pin's value and naturally weave in your keywords. For example, a Good description would be: "Discover delicious vegan meal prep ideas for a healthy and easy week. These plant-based recipes are perfect for busy schedules." A Bad, keyword-stuffed version would be: "Vegan meal prep meal prep ideas vegan recipes healthy eating." Writing high-quality, descriptive text can be time-consuming, but tools can help streamline the process. For creators looking to scale their content, a platform like BlogSpark, the ultimate AI blog post generator, can help craft engaging, SEO-optimized descriptions and articles in seconds, freeing you up for more strategic work.
- Board Titles and Descriptions: Boards are how you organize your content, and they are also searchable. Give your boards specific, keyword-rich titles (e.g., "Healthy Vegan Dinner Recipes" instead of "Yummy Food"). Use the board description to add more context and related keywords.
- Image File Names: Before uploading your pin image, save the file with a descriptive, keyword-rich name like `vegan-meal-prep-ideas.jpg` instead of `IMG_1234.jpg`. This is a small but simple signal that helps Pinterest understand the image content.
To make this process easier, use this simple checklist every time you create a new pin or board:
- ✅ Does my pin title include the most important keyword?
- ✅ Is my pin description 2-3 sentences long, written for humans, and includes 2-3 related keywords?
- ✅ Is the pin saved to a highly relevant, keyword-titled board?
- ✅ Does the board have a keyword-rich description?
- ✅ Did I save my image file with a descriptive keyword name before uploading?
Frequently Asked Questions About Pinterest Keywords
1. Where can I find Pinterest keywords?
The best places to find Pinterest keywords are directly on the platform and are completely free. You can use the search bar's autocomplete feature, the guided search suggestions (colored bubbles), the Pinterest Ads keyword tool (which shows search volume and can be used without creating a paid ad), and the Pinterest Trends tool to see seasonal popularity.
2. Are hashtags or keywords better on Pinterest?
Keywords are significantly better and more important than hashtags on Pinterest in 2025. Pinterest's official guidance has moved away from hashtags, and the algorithm now prioritizes natural language keywords embedded in well-written, descriptive sentences in your pin titles and descriptions. It's best to avoid using hashtags altogether and focus on quality copy.
3. How much does Pinterest pay for 1000 views?
Pinterest does not directly pay creators based on views (impressions). Unlike some other platforms, Pinterest's monetization for creators isn't built on an ad-revenue sharing model for views. Instead, creators earn money through traffic driven from Pinterest to their own monetized platforms, such as a blog with ads, an e-commerce shop, or through affiliate links included in their pin descriptions. Therefore, earnings vary widely and depend entirely on your own monetization strategy, not on views alone.
