Pinterest isn’t just a platform for DIY projects or recipe ideas—it’s also a powerful search engine, and it’s often underutilized in many marketing strategies. With the right SEO approach, you can tap into its potential to reach a highly engaged audience and generate traffic that lasts. Pinterest SEO can be a game-changer when you're aiming to grow your brand or increase conversions. In this episode, we’ll break it all down so you can get started right away.
Ready to learn how? Let’s get into it.
Unlike typical social media, Pinterest combines search engine and social media features, making it unique. It uses keywords and high-quality visuals for discoverability, much like Google, but with an emphasis on engagement through visuals.
Just like Google, Pinterest requires strategic keyword use. It's important to include relevant keywords in titles, captions, descriptions, and tags to improve content discoverability and boost traffic.
To increase exposure, it’s recommended to test various types of pins, such as static images, infographics, or images with text overlays. Multiple exposures using different designs for the same content can help drive more traffic.
While it’s commonly associated with lifestyle, fashion, and beauty, Pinterest can work for diverse industries, including accounting, gardening, fitness, and even e-commerce sectors like home improvement and fashion.
Images that are visually appealing and have the right color schemes (like light or pastel tones) tend to perform better. Pinterest users are often ready to take action, so ensuring your pins are engaging is key to driving traffic and conversions.
While AI-generated images are appearing more on Pinterest and do work with the algorithm, they may not generate as much user engagement as human-created images, which still resonate better with the audience.
Posting consistently on Pinterest is key to seeing results. Starting with 1-3 posts a day is enough for new accounts, but posting up to 20 pins a day can lead to better outcomes if you maintain consistency over time.
Static pins are most effective for conversions (driving traffic or sales), while video pins and Idea Pins are great for visibility and attracting impressions. Infographics work well for specific niches like fitness or educational content.
Pinterest is integrating more e-commerce tools, like Shopify, for seamless product uploads. It also offers features like Pinterest Lens and AR capabilities, allowing users to get personalized product recommendations, which enhances shopping experiences.
Freelancers can leverage Pinterest for clients, especially in niches like fashion, beauty, and home décor, since Pinterest’s audience is highly engaged and predominantly female. With less competition compared to other platforms, it offers a unique opportunity for driving traffic and sales.
1. "In SEO, it's not always about having the perfect course or certification. Sometimes, it’s about being persistent, testing things out, and learning from each step along the way." - Khriz
2. "When it comes to SEO, many people overlook the power of Pinterest. It's more than just a social platform—it’s a visual search engine that drives real traffic to websites." - Gab
3. "The secret to effective Pinterest SEO lies in recognizing the distinctiveness of each niche. Even industries that seem unlikely, like accounting, can succeed when linked to wider, relevant themes." - Khriz
4. "Pinterest is a powerful tool for driving traffic, but it's not just about the keywords—images matter. Simple, clean visuals, often with pastel tones, tend to engage better and drive action." - Khriz
5. "As SEO continues to evolve, it's important to diversify your approach. The more you stay curious and adapt, the better you'll set your business up for long-term success." - Gab
6. "Pinterest is more than a social media platform—it's a visual search engine. Just like Google, it thrives on keywords and high-quality content that users actively seek out." - Khriz
7. "Pinterest’s ability to drive traffic and conversions comes from understanding its unique nature. It’s about captivating visuals plus using strategic keywords that also align with user intent." - Khriz
8. "To see real results, focus on testing different types of pins. Whether it's static images, video pins, or infographics, each has its own strength, and finding what works for your brand is key." -Khriz
9. "Pinterest’s integration with Shopify is a game changer for e-commerce. It allows businesses to seamlessly upload and link products directly to their Pinterest profiles, enhancing visibility and sales." - Khriz
10. "Consistency is key on Pinterest. Create a content plan, post regularly, and focus on what resonates with your audience. It’s not about personal preferences, but what truly engages your target market." - Khriz
As we close out this episode, it's clear that Pinterest SEO is more than just a passing trend—it's a game-changing tool for improving your digital marketing efforts. From the value of persistence and testing in SEO to understanding the power of Pinterest as a visual search engine, there’s plenty to consider. Success lies in leveraging the right images, keywords, and consistently tracking results to see what truly resonates with your audience.
As SEO continues to grow, adaptability and a willingness to experiment will keep you on the cutting edge. So, what's next for you? Take what you've learned, explore Pinterest SEO more, and start testing strategies to drive real results.
Don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll continue to explore actionable tips and strategies to level up your SEO. Keep experimenting and stay consistent.
00:00 - 00:47
Gab: Introduces the episode, mentioning the topic of SEO, specifically the lighter side of SEO, and introduces the guest, Chris, who will explain the unique aspects of Pinterest SEO. Gab highlights that Chris has shared his expertise at conferences, particularly the Baguio Conference, and that’s how Gab got to know him.
Gab: Introduces Chris formally as a guest speaker and expresses excitement about discussing Pinterest SEO with him, something they believe is not commonly covered in SEO discussions.
00:48 - 02:23
Khriz: Greets the audience.
Gab: Prompts Khriz to share more about his background and how he got introduced to SEO.
Khriz: Shares his journey into the SEO world. He started in a call center before deciding to transition into a new industry. As a graduate of Computer Science, he wasn’t interested in programming and looked for a career that combined his skills. Around 2013, he learned about SEO, initially having no clear understanding of it but soon getting into keyword research and SEO fundamentals.
Khriz: Explains how he got into SEO in 2014 through self-research and online courses, beginning to understand SEO better. He also mentions how he initially struggled with getting hired despite completing courses and certifications.
Gab: Mentions that they both have the same background in Computer Science and that they started their SEO careers around the same time.
02:23 - 05:09
Khriz: Acknowledges the shared experience.
Gab: shares that he started applying SEO in 2013, specifically in Makati.
Khriz: Talks about how, despite his training, it was difficult to land SEO roles because work-from-home freelancing and SEO were still emerging fields. He ended up taking up roles in other fields like social media and customer service before eventually transitioning to SEO.
Khriz: He reflects on how his SEO journey wasn’t smooth sailing and how he started out doing a variety of tasks, not just SEO. He describes his initial SEO work as being more about theory and less hands-on, and how he was desperate to leave his call center job.
Gab: Adds that it was a challenging time, as social media and SEO were still new, and it was difficult to pitch SEO services to potential clients.
Khriz: Mentions how it was hard to sell SEO services because social media was still new to most people, and not many understood the value of optimizing for platforms like Facebook or Instagram.
Gab: Talks about how, at the time, people were more familiar with off-page SEO techniques and how social media was often tied to SEO work.
Khriz: Agrees that his early SEO work was more about social media than traditional SEO.
Gab: Asks Khriz what led him to focus specifically on Pinterest SEO.
Khriz: Explains that his focus on Pinterest SEO started around 2021 when he enrolled in Coach Angel’s course. He was initially involved in Facebook ads but wanted to return to his SEO roots.
Gab: Asks Khriz to give a shout-out to Coach Angel.
Khriz: Gives a quick shout-out to Coach Angel and mentions the course that helped him shift his focus back to SEO.
Khriz: Shares his transition from working in Facebook ads to working on SEO. He talks about the challenges he faced but also how he found clients in the blogging space, particularly in the travel and lifestyle sectors.
05:09 - 06:39
Khriz: He talks about how he learned the power of Pinterest for driving traffic to websites, particularly in the travel industry, where a significant percentage of web traffic came from Pinterest.
Khriz: Continues sharing how the pandemic affected travel bloggers, but Pinterest remained an important traffic driver. Over time, he started offering Pinterest SEO services to clients.
Khriz: Recalls attending a conference in 2023 where Mike D discussed YouTube SEO. This inspired Khriz to advocate for Pinterest SEO, sharing his experience and results with other SEO professionals.
07:19 - 07:43
Gab: Mentions how some people misunderstand Pinterest as just another social media platform, but there’s more to it in terms of SEO potential.
Khriz: Agrees and points out that Pinterest is actually a visual search engine, much more like Google or Bing than typical social media platforms. He explains that it combines aspects of both social media and search engines, which is key to its uniqueness.
07:45 - 09:18
Khriz: Elaborates on the uniqueness of Pinterest SEO. He explains that, like Google, Pinterest places a strong emphasis on keywords and content descriptions. It also requires high-quality images for engagement, similar to social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, but with a deeper focus on searchability.
Gab: Compares Pinterest to other platforms like TikTok, which also has an algorithm that drives content discovery, adding that Pinterest's visual nature makes it stand out for SEO.
Khriz: Agrees and reiterates that the visual nature of Pinterest makes it a powerful SEO tool.
Gab: Asks Khriz what types of businesses or niches should invest in Pinterest for SEO.
09:19 - 10:21
Khriz: Shares his experience working with clients in various niches, including gardening, landscaping, food, and fitness. He also discusses how Pinterest is gaining traction in e-commerce, especially for promoting products in categories like fashion and home devices.
Khriz: Talks about how Pinterest’s new features for e-commerce businesses are making the platform even more valuable for product promotion, especially for businesses in niches like fashion and home improvement.
Gab: Mentions his own background in fashion and how Pinterest can benefit businesses in that niche.
10:21 - 11:31
Khriz: Discusses his exploration of Pinterest, specifically for the fashion industry. He highlights how Pinterest is a valuable platform for various niches such as beauty, photography, weddings, and even affiliate marketing. He also mentions seeing good results for industries like accounting by connecting their services to broader topics like productivity.
Khriz: Elaborates on how even industries that might seem unrelated to Pinterest can still succeed by re-framing their offerings. For example, businesses in accounting could promote content on tax filing tips to drive engagement.
Khriz: He touches on the importance of understanding the unique approach needed for different industries on Pinterest, even those that seem unconventional, like accounting.
11:31 - 13:02
Gab: Thanks Khriz for the insights and asks for advice on what factors to prioritize when optimizing a Pinterest profile for SEO, with a focus on driving traffic and increasing brand awareness.
Khriz: Recommends using keyword research on Pinterest, similar to how it's done on Google. He explains the importance of including keywords in titles, image descriptions, captions, and tags. He also mentions the value of group boards and clustering to organize content effectively.
Khriz: He elaborates on the visual nature of Pinterest and advises using captivating images. Based on his experience, he points out that pastel and light colors tend to convert better on Pinterest than bright, neon colors.
13:02 - 14:02
Khriz: Further explains the concept of group boards for SEO, where a user can create boards around specific topics like "Living Room Designs" and categorize pins accordingly. He highlights the importance of captivating visuals and testing different images.
Gab: Shares his own experience with Pinterest, recalling how he found tattoo designs through the platform.
Khriz: Agrees with Gab’s experience and emphasizes how users go to Pinterest with the intent to take action, whether it’s for personal interests like tattoos or professional services.
14:02 - 16:06
Gab: Asks Khriz about strategies for creating pins that effectively drive traffic to a website.
Khriz: Explains the importance of testing various types of images and including a call to action. He encourages users to review top-performing pins and track their results over one to three months. He also mentions that Pinterest allows for multiple visits to the same blog, so using different images for the same content can increase exposure.
Khriz: Advises testing different types of pins, such as static images with titles, simple images, and infographics. This gives users multiple exposures and increases the chances of driving traffic to the same blog post.
Gab: Asks if it's possible to use various designs from a blog post as separate Pinterest pins to gain more exposure.
Khriz: Agrees and mentions that using different designs for the same content can enhance visibility on Pinterest, as long as the content is consistent and tracked properly.
16:26 - 17:30
Khriz: Reiterates the importance of using light or pastel colors for better engagement on Pinterest. He also discusses the significance of optimizing pins with the right keywords, as Pinterest’s search engine functions similarly to Google.
Gab: Asks Khriz for additional tips on optimizing pins for better results.
Khriz: Emphasizes the need to use group boards for SEO and how important it is to ensure the keyword is part of the group board title and the pins themselves. He suggests focusing on fresh pins to maintain relevance and visibility on the platform.
18:00 - 18:48
Gab: Asks about the effectiveness of AI-generated images on Pinterest.
Khriz: Acknowledges that AI-generated images are starting to appear more frequently on Pinterest and that they do work with the algorithm, but users might not engage with them as much as human-created images.
Gab: Raises a point about the frequency and timing of posting on Pinterest and asks how often one should post to see results.
Khriz: Advises that posting consistently is crucial, and while posting once a day is ideal, starting with 1-3 posts per day is sufficient for new accounts. He mentions that posting 20 pins per day can yield results, though it’s essential to maintain consistency.
19:23 - 19:33
Gab: Asks Khriz to share his thoughts on the most effective types of images for Pinterest campaigns.
Khriz: Shares that the most effective images in campaigns are those that resonate with the target audience and encourage engagement, particularly those that align with user interests and the platform's visual search engine nature.
19:34 - 21:05
Khriz: Explains different types of pins on Pinterest:
Static Pins: Regular image pins with titles and text.
Idea Pins: Similar to Reels or TikTok videos.
Video Pins: Regular video pins, but combined with Idea Pins.
He adds that static pins are most effective for conversions (driving traffic or sales), while video pins and Idea Pins are good for attracting impressions. Infographics are useful for specific niches, such as fitness coaches offering downloadable 30-day challenges.
Khriz: Continues explaining the effectiveness of each type of pin:
Static Pins are better for conversions (leading to websites or transactions).
Video Pins and Idea Pins attract traffic and boost visibility.
Infographics work well for certain niches, such as fitness or educational content.
Khriz: He emphasizes that static pins are the most effective for conversions, whereas video and idea pins excel at attracting attention and increasing profile engagement. He highlights the use of downloadable content, like fitness challenges, to capture leads through Pinterest.
Gab: Acknowledges Khriz’s point about downloadable content and lead generation.
Khriz: Elaborates further on lead generation, where downloadable content like a fitness challenge can prompt users to sign up or enroll, helping to convert interest into action.
21:05 - 21:45
Gab: Responds with understanding about how downloadable content can drive user action.
Khriz: Clarifies that users must be prompted to take action to convert traffic, whether it’s downloading a guide or signing up.
Gab: Agrees, emphasizing the importance of the user's intent on Pinterest—whether it’s just browsing or planning to take action.
Khriz: Stresses the importance of testing different types of pins over the first 1-2 months to determine which ones work best for your goals. He recommends static pins for conversions, and video pins for traffic.
Gab: Seeks further clarification about potential evolutions for the Pinterest platform, especially in relation to e-commerce.
Khriz: Explains that Pinterest is expanding its e-commerce features and is now integrated with Shopify. This integration allows for seamless product uploads directly to Pinterest, helping drive more traffic to product pages.
21:45 - 23:13
Gab: Appreciates the information about Shopify’s integration, noting how it can improve the process for e-commerce businesses.
Khriz: Elaborates on Pinterest’s partnership with Shopify, allowing automated product uploads and direct linking to product pages. He also discusses the Pinterest Lens, which uses image recognition to suggest products, providing a better shopping experience for users.
Gab: Reacts to this feature, impressed by how Pinterest Lens can boost user engagement through personalized product suggestions.
Khriz: Provides a further example of Pinterest’s growing user experience: if users take selfies, Pinterest’s AR (augmented reality) feature can suggest lipstick colors that match their selfies, offering a more immersive shopping experience.
Gab: Confirms understanding of the AR feature, remarking on its potential for increased user engagement.
Khriz: Highlights that Pinterest is enhancing engagement through AR features, creating a more interactive shopping experience for users.
23:14 - 24:05
Gab: Asks if Pinterest’s unique selling point lies in providing a more interactive, engaged experience compared to other platforms.
Khriz: Affirms that Pinterest stands out for its integration of visual search and AR features, making it ideal for driving traffic and conversions, especially in e-commerce.
Gab: Agrees that Pinterest’s unique approach can make it a standout platform for businesses looking to increase product visibility.
Gab: Further discusses the integration of Pinterest into websites and how it could improve consumer sales through better product exposure.
Khriz: Mentions his recent participation in an SEO conference, where many attendees discussed diversifying traffic sources due to Google’s dominance. He strongly suggests that Pinterest be considered a go-to platform for businesses looking to expand their reach.
Gab: Enthusiastically agrees, acknowledging Pinterest’s value as an alternative traffic source.
24:09 - 25:05
Gab: Thanks Khriz for the insights, especially on Pinterest’s potential for boosting sales and diversifying traffic sources.
Gab: Talks about challenges with AI-driven SEO, where websites may rank well but still struggle to attract traffic due to changing user behavior. He believes Pinterest could help businesses by focusing on user actions, such as engaging with images.
Gab: Emphasizes the importance of Pinterest for targeting users who are actively searching for products, noting that the platform aligns well with bottom-of-the-funnel strategies.
Gab: Asks Khriz for additional advice for beginners who want to use Pinterest effectively.
25:06 - 27:08
Khriz: Advises beginners to start with keyword research on Pinterest, comparing it to Google SEO. He recommends using keywords in image titles and descriptions, and consistently posting pins with relevant tags. Testing keywords on Pinterest can also help improve results.
Khriz: Emphasizes that consistency is key. He recommends creating 1-3 pins per day, dedicating a few hours for a month’s worth of content, and scheduling posts. He warns against relying solely on personal preferences when designing pins, as customer preferences differ.
Khriz: Suggests that freelancers or business owners should plan out their content and spend dedicated time creating and scheduling pins. He advises against making pins based on what you personally think works, but rather focus on testing and observing what resonates with the target audience.
Khriz: He also stresses the importance of not just relying on personal taste when designing pins but rather focusing on what actually works for your audience. Testing different designs is crucial for improving performance.
Khriz: Suggests creating a content plan to manage Pinterest posts efficiently. This way, even with a limited amount of time, you can continue posting consistently and gain exposure on the platform.
27:08 - 29:19
Gab: Asks how freelancers can leverage Pinterest SEO as a service for their clients.
Khriz: Explains that Pinterest’s audience is predominantly female, and women tend to make more purchases and take action on Pinterest. This makes Pinterest ideal for businesses targeting women, especially in niches like fashion, beauty, or home décor. He mentions that Pinterest’s user base continues to grow, with 580 million active users, and it’s a platform with less competition, making it a good opportunity for freelancers.
Khriz: Continues to highlight Pinterest’s growth and how it’s a good platform for reaching Gen Z and newer generations. If a business’s target audience fits this demographic, Pinterest could be a great platform to offer to clients as a service to increase traffic.
Khriz: Emphasizes that Pinterest offers less competition compared to other platforms, making it an ideal option for freelancers looking to expand their service offerings and help clients increase their online visibility and sales.
Khriz: He concludes by advising that Pinterest is a valuable tool to offer clients who want to improve their traffic and engagement.
29:20 - 30:51
Gab: Expresses gratitude for the informative session on Pinterest SEO. He mentions how Pinterest is an interesting platform to explore, especially in light of the changes happening in Google and shifting market behaviors. He acknowledges that diversifying strategies will benefit businesses in the long run, making them more adaptable in the future.
Gab: Thanks Khriz for being the guest speaker and asks if Khriz has any additional information to share, such as his website or upcoming projects.
Khriz: Shares that his small company focuses on SEO strategies, particularly Pinterest. He reveals that he plans to release a course on Pinterest SEO in 2025. He encourages people to take the leap and start focusing on Pinterest as a traffic-driving platform, noting its growing relevance.
Gab: Agrees, mentioning that many people would be interested, especially those learning new skills. He also emphasizes how the podcast is helping provide additional information about Pinterest and how important it is to stay updated in the evolving market.
30:52 - 31:28
Khriz: Stresses the need to diversify traffic sources, especially with Google’s changes in the market. He advises businesses to explore platforms like Pinterest as part of a broader strategy to avoid relying too heavily on one platform, which could limit growth.
Gab: Acknowledges the importance of diversification in SEO strategies, especially in the context of Google’s ever-changing algorithms.
Gab: Wraps up the podcast by thanking Khriz again for his time and insights. He expresses his hope to meet Khriz at future conferences, especially after attending the Chiang Mai SEO event. Gab ends with a call for listeners to follow the podcast on Spotify, YouTube, and visit their website.
Gab: Closes with a final thank you to listeners and a farewell, saying "Peace out," signaling the end of the podcast.