Why Pinterest Keyword Research Matters

Picture this: You've just created the perfect pin showcasing your handmade jewelry. It's beautiful, on-brand, and ready to capture hearts (and sales). But without the right keywords, it's like hosting a store in a hidden alley—amazing products, zero foot traffic.

Here's the reality: With 537 million monthly active users on Pinterest in 2025, the opportunity is massive. But standing out requires understanding exactly how your ideal customers are searching.

Let’s make sure your content gets found by the right people.

Part 1: Finding Your Keywords

The Pinterest Search Bar Method (Your Free Market Research Tool)

Start where your customers start—the Pinterest search bar. This simple but powerful tool reveals exactly what real users are searching for.

Quick Exercise:

1. Open Pinterest in an incognito/private browser window.
2. Type in a broad term related to your business (e.g., "jewelry").
3. Notice the autocomplete suggestions.
4. Click through on relevant suggestions to see related terms.
5. Record any relevant keywords in a spreadsheet.

🎯 Pro tip:
Pay special attention to long-tail keywords (longer, more specific phrases). While they may have lower search volume, they often convert better because they show clear user intent.

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Beyond the Search Bar: Advanced Keyword Discovery

Let's continue building on the keyword list in your spreadsheet with additional sources of keyword discovery and insight.

1. Competitor Analysis

• Visit successful Pinterest accounts in your niche.
• Study their board names and pin descriptions.
• Look for patterns in their keyword usage.

2. Pinterest Trends

• Use Pinterest’s free trends tool to identify seasonal patterns.
• Look for rising search terms in your category.

3. Customer Language Mining

• Review customer emails and comments from online forums like Reddit.
• Check your product reviews.
• Note the exact phrases your customers use to describe their needs.

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Part 2: Evaluating Keywords

Not all keywords are created equal. Here's how to identify the winners:

The VALUE Framework

Score potential keywords on these factors:

• Volume – How many people search for this term?
• Audience Fit – Does this match your target customer?
• Logic – Does this keyword make sense for your content?
• User Intent – What is someone searching for this term trying to achieve?
• Engagement Potential – Will content targeting this keyword encourage saves and clicks?

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Part 3: Implementation Strategy

Now that you have your keywords, let’s put them to work:

Strategic Placement Checklist

✅ Profile name and description

✅ Board titles and descriptions

✅ Pin titles (front-load with important keywords)

✅ Pin descriptions (natural, conversational use of keywords)

✅ Alt text for images

✅ Website URL and landing pages

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⚡ Quick tip:
Always prioritize natural language over keyword stuffing. Pinterest’s algorithm is sophisticated enough to understand context and user intent.

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Mastering Pinterest keyword research is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and refinement. As you implement your keyword strategy, closely monitor your Pinterest analytics to identify which keywords are driving the most engagement and traffic. Use these insights to continuously optimize your approach, experimenting with new keyword combinations and staying attuned to shifts in search trends within your niche to ensure your content remains discoverable and relevant to your target audience.