Pinterest isn’t a social media platform, it’s a search engine. People come to Pinterest with a goal in mind: they’re planning purchases, hunting for gift ideas, or looking for something special.

And Pinterest knows this. That’s why they’ve been rolling out new features to make the platform as shoppable as possible. It’s the perfect place to showcase your Etsy products and reach people when they’re in that “ready to buy” mindset.

Before you start pinning, take a moment to think about what your customers are searching for. Pinterest is all about keywords, so the better you understand what your audience is typing into the search bar, the more visible your products will be.

Here’s how to do it:

• Use the Pinterest Search Bar: Start typing in a word related to your product, and note the suggestions that pop up.
• Think About Your Audience: Include keywords that are specific to your customers, like “gifts for mum,” “Christmas ornaments,” or “wedding decor.”
• Don’t Forget Trends: Pinterest Trends is a free tool that shows you what people are searching for right now - and even what’s likely to trend in the future.

💡Tip: The little coloured bubbles under the search bar on Pinterest are gold. Those are extra keywords people are actively searching for, so use them in your strategy!

Now the fun part - creating pins that grab attention and encourage clicks.

Here’s what works well:

• Use High-Quality Images: Your products should be the star of the show. Style them beautifully, and use good lighting.
• Stick to Portrait Dimensions: Pins that are 1000x1500 pixels look great and perform well.
• Experiment with Video Pins: If you don’t have product videos, use a slow zoom effect or animated text to make your pins pop.
• Try Multiple Designs: Use tools like Canva to create a mix of clean, simple product pins and eye-catching graphics with text overlays.

For example, if you sell handmade tote bags, you could create one pin with a close-up image of the fabric and another showing the bag in use. You could also add a graphic pin with text like “Perfect Gift for Teachers” or “Stylish & Sustainable Tote.”

Even though you can’t claim your Etsy shop on Pinterest anymore, there are still ways to optimize your listings to work with the platform.

• Use Keywords in Your Titles and Descriptions: Pinterest pulls this info directly when someone pins from your shop.
• Install the Pinterest Save Button: Add it to your browser so you can quickly pin product images directly from your Etsy store to Pinterest.

And don’t forget - Etsy itself has a Pinterest profile. Sometimes their main account will feature pins of your products, so make sure your listings are well-optimised for search.

Consistency is key to building momentum on Pinterest. You don’t need to spend hours on it—just make it part of your regular routine.

• Aim for One Pin a Day: That’s plenty to start with.
• Batch Create Your Pins: Spend a little time designing pins in batches so you always have fresh content ready to go.
• Mix It Up: Create different versions of pins for the same product. Change the images, layouts, or text to keep your pins looking fresh.

Pinterest loves “fresh pins,” so even small tweaks can make a big difference!

One last tip: Keep an eye on what’s trending. Pinterest Trends is an amazing tool for this. For example, if “fall home decor” is starting to trend, make sure you’re creating pins that show how your products fit into that theme.

Pinterest is such a fantastic tool for Etsy sellers. With just a bit of effort, you can get your products in front of people who are actively searching for what you offer - and ready to make a purchase.

Start small, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to experiment with your pins. The results will come!