Pinterest SEO + Keywords 101

We’re sharing EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know about Pinterest SEO and Pinterest keywords right here. Before you can understand keywords you have to wrap your head around what the heck SEO even is… 

What is SEO?

SEO + Keywords go together like toes in the sand.

SEO (search engine optimization) is the process of improving your website’s value to increase free, organic traffic from search engines. There are many ways to increase your ranking on a search engine, but one of the best ways is through keywords.

Why do keywords help your SEO?

A person looking to solve a problem or find a product is likely going to start with a search engine like Google. However, over the past few years, there has been a shift, especially with a younger audience, of skipping Google altogether and heading straight to Pinterest or TikTok.

How do search engines know what to show after a search?

Search engines work by indexing keywords from your content.

• Indexing is the process of taking information on a webpage and categorizing it to make it searchable.
• For example, when you search for the word “recipe”, all the top results are in fact recipes. Simple as that.
• “But there are millions of recipes on the internet? How do I compete with all of the recipes out there?”
• Say hello to KEYWORDS! Keywords are the key to getting your amazing recipe seen when your target audience searches for it. 

Whether you want your content to rank high on Google or on a social search platform like Pinterest or TikTok, it’s important to remember that all three are capable of operating like SEARCH ENGINES!

[bctt tweet=”Whether you want your content to rank high on Google or on a social search platform like Pinterest or TikTok, it’s important to remember that all three are capable of operating like SEARCH ENGINES!”]

Since they are all search engines, your content will perform better if you add keywords to your content and profile descriptions in order for it to be indexed correctly, which will then make sure it is shown to the right audience.

How do search engines decide what order content is shown?

Search engines consider different factors, including keywords, in your content to decide how to index, or categorize, that content. Once that content has been indexed it can then more accurately decide who it would be useful to based on their search terms, including keywords or keyword phrases. 

Indexing can take anywhere from 7-45 days, though it might be shorter on TikTok. 

Ever wondered why your Pinterest content gets basically 0 views at first but ends up taking off weeks later or sometimes not until the following year? That’s because your content and all of the keywords in your content (on-screen and in the description) need time to index. 

Keywords are not just for your content though! 

Increasing the density of your keywords on your profile can help Pinterest know exactly who to share your content with so you continue to grow your audience

So how do you find and research keywords? 

Here are our favorite ways to search for Pinterest keywords:

1. The Pinterest search bubbles!

• • Go to the search bar
  • Type in your niche or topic
  • Choose “all pins”
  • The bubbles at the top are all other suggestions related to your search!
  • Use any of them as a keyword

2. Autofill suggestions on the search bar

• • On the search bar, you’ll get a number of additional autofill suggestions
  • Each of these is a keyword too!
  • Take note of the profiles that come up. Which keywords are they using?

3. The Pinterest Trends tool

• • This tool is a treasure trove of keywords!
  • Type in your niche and get not only a little of related keywords, but also how often and when people search for them most
  • You also get suggestions at the bottom for pins that fit the keyword – another great place to look for keyword options

4. Head over to some successful accounts in your niche and check out the keywords on their profile and in their content.

How do I create a keyword list for my brand?

You’ll want to create a few of them and make sure to only add keywords to your content that are relevant to your topic. 

Try out these keyword lists to start:

• Overarching keywords that encompass your brand’s message and topics that you can use all year round.
• Keywords for each season 
• Topic or content pillar-based keywords

Don’t have time to invest in keyword research?

Let us do the work for you!

We offer a custom Pinterest SEO Keyword Bank that’s tailored perfectly for your niche, business, and ideal customer.

Your custom Pinterest keyword bank includes:

• 500+ keywords/keyword phrases to use on Pinterest
• An implementation guide to get you started
• A video showing you exactly how to use your keyword bank