Popular Pinterest categories

A small business owner's guide to the top Pinterest categories

In this lesson you'll learn:

  • Why Pinterest categories are important for your small business's visibility and engagement
  • The top-performing Pinterest categories and current trends within each
  • How to choose the right categories for your business and optimize your content

Understanding Pinterest categories

Pinterest categories are the foundational pillars that organize content on the platform. They help users discover content tailored to their interests and allow the Pinterest algorithm to deliver relevant Pins to users' feeds.

Why categories matter for your business:

  • Enhanced discoverability: Proper categorization increases the chances of your Pins appearing in relevant searches and feeds.
  • Targeted audience reach: Aligning your content with the right categories connects you with users actively interested in what you offer.
  • Improved engagement: Content that resonates with a user's interests is more likely to receive saves, clicks, and shares.

Top performing categories on Pinterest

Understanding which categories are popular can help you tailor your content strategy effectively. Let's explore the top categories that have shown significant engagement and growth.

1. Home decor

Why it's popular: With the rise of remote work and an increased focus on personal spaces, users are constantly seeking inspiration to enhance their homes.

Current trends:

  • Sustainable living: Eco-friendly materials and minimalistic designs.
  • Smart homes: Integration of technology into living spaces.
  • Indoor gardening: Houseplants and DIY terrariums.

Actionable tips:

  • Visual appeal: Use high-resolution images showcasing before-and-after transformations.
  • Educational content: Provide DIY tutorials or tips on home organization.
  • Product tags: Utilize shoppable Pins to link directly to your products.
A cyclical diagram labeled "Home Decor Marketing Cycle," highlighting three strategies: "Showcase Transformations" with a sparkle icon, "Provide DIY Tips" with a lightbulb icon, and "Link Products Directly" with a shopping cart icon, all centered around "Home Decor Strategy" with a sofa icon.

2. Fashion & style

Why it's popular: Fashion is ever-evolving, and Pinterest users look for the latest trends, outfit ideas, and style hacks.

Current trends:

  • Sustainable fashion: Thrift finds and upcycled clothing.
  • Athleisure wear: Comfortable yet stylish outfits for everyday wear.
  • Cultural fashion: Embracing global styles and traditional attire.

Actionable tips:

  • Seasonal content: Align Pins with upcoming seasons or events.
  • Styling guides: Create lookbooks or how-to-wear posts.
  • Diverse models: Represent different body types and demographics to resonate with a broader audience.
A triangular diagram titled "Strategies for Inclusive Fashion Marketing." It lists "Diverse Models" with a mannequin icon, "Seasonal Content" with a seasonal icon, and "Styling Guides" with a book icon. Each section has accompanying descriptive text.

3. Food & drink

Why it's popular: From gourmet recipes to quick meal prep ideas, food-related content is a staple on Pinterest.

Current trends:

  • Plant-based recipes: Vegan and vegetarian dishes.
  • Global cuisine: Exploring ethnic and traditional foods.
  • Healthy eating: Nutrient-rich and diet-specific recipes.

Actionable tips:

  • Mouth-watering visuals: Use high-quality images that highlight the textures and colors of the food.
  • Recipe Cards: Include easy-to-follow instructions within the Pin.
  • Video Pins: Demonstrate cooking processes with short clips focused on visually engaging highlights.
An infographic with three listed components for effective content: "Recipe Cards" with icons of a book and ingredients, "High-Quality Images" with photograph icons, and "Video Pins" with a play icon, each explained with descriptive text.

4. Beauty

Why it's popular: Users seek beauty tips, product reviews, and makeup tutorials.

Current trends:

  • Natural skincare: Organic products and DIY solutions.
  • Inclusive beauty: Products catering to all skin tones and types.
  • Minimalist makeup: Emphasizing natural beauty.

Actionable tips:

  • Tutorials: Step-by-step guides for makeup looks.
  • Product highlights: Showcase new or best-selling products.
  • Influencer collaborations: Partner with beauty experts for authentic content.

5. Health & wellness

Why it's popular: With a growing emphasis on holistic well-being, users are exploring ways to improve their physical and mental health.

Current trends:

  • Mindfulness practices: Meditation and stress-relief techniques.
  • Home workouts: Fitness routines without gym equipment.
  • Nutrition advice: Balanced diets and superfoods.

Actionable tips:

  • Infographics: Share quick tips and statistics.
  • Interactive content: Create quizzes or challenges.
  • Testimonials: Share success stories to build trust.
A circular diagram with "Influencer Collaborations" (handshake icon), "Tutorials" (list icon), and "Product Highlights" (makeup icon) surrounding central beauty product icons, each section accompanied by text describing the strategy.

6. Travel

Why it's popular: Despite fluctuations in global travel, users continue to dream and plan future trips.

Current trends:

  • Local adventures: Exploring nearby destinations.
  • Eco-tourism: Sustainable travel options.
  • Cultural experiences: Immersive activities that connect with local traditions.

Actionable tips:

  • Breathtaking imagery: Use stunning visuals to captivate viewers.
  • Travel guides: Offer itineraries and insider tips.
  • User-generated content (UGC): Encourage followers to share their experiences.
A diagram with three teardrop-shaped sections labeled "User-Generated Content" (person icon), "Travel Guides" (clipboard icon), and "Breathtaking Imagery" (camera icon), each with descriptive text explaining the approach.

7. DIY & crafts

Why it's popular: The DIY community thrives on creativity and hands-on projects.

Current trends:

  • Upcycling projects: Repurposing old items.
  • Home crafts: Simple projects for home improvement.
  • Personalized gifts: Handmade items for special occasions.

Actionable tips:

  • Tutorial videos: Show the process from start to finish.
  • Material lists: Provide easy access to necessary supplies.
  • Community engagement: Create challenges or feature followers' creations.
A circular diagram titled "Enhancing DIY Craft Experience," consisting of "Community Engagement" (group icon), "Tutorial Videos" (video icon), and "Material Lists" (clipboard icon) radiating from a central crafting icon, each explained with description.

Finding your perfect category fit

Selecting the right category is crucial for reaching your target audience. Here's how to hone in on the best fit for your business:

Audience analysis:

  • Demographics: Understand the age, gender, and interests of your ideal customer.
  • Behavior patterns: Observe when they're most active and what content they engage with.

Keyword research:

  • Tools like our free Pinterest Trends Keyword Finder help identify popular search terms over time.
  • Use Pinterest's search bar to see suggested popular keywords related to your niche.

Competitor analysis:

  • What categories are they using? Which seem to be working particularly well for them?
  • Which of their Pins have the most engagement? What themes seem to be resonating?
A flowchart diagram titled "Refining Category Selection for Audience Engagement." It illustrates a process from "Broad Category Options" through "Audience Analysis," "Competitor Analysis," "Keyword Search," and "Pinterest Analytics" to "Optimal Category Fit."

Mastering Pinterest categories is a game-changer for small businesses aiming to expand their online presence. By understanding popular categories, optimizing your content, and staying ahead of trends, you position your business for sustained success on the platform.Remember, Pinterest users are planners and buyers. Connecting with them through the right categories can significantly impact your traffic and sales.

Key takeaways:

  • Popular Pinterest categories include Home Decor, Fashion & Style, Food & Drink, Beauty, Health & Wellness, Travel, and DIY & Crafts
  • Selecting and targeting the right category is crucial for reaching your target audience and increasing engagement
  • Your business doesn't have to fit neatly into one of these categories for you to leverage its popularity. Be creative and find ways to relate your content to these popular categories.