Pinterest Branding Guide: Drive Traffic Through Visual Discovery
Master Pinterest branding for the platform where users actively search for ideas and make purchase decisions. Learn Pin design, board strategy, and visual identity that drives website traffic.
Pinterest is unique—it's a visual search engine where 450+ million users actively look for ideas, products, and inspiration. Unlike other social platforms, Pinterest users have purchase intent.
97% of top Pinterest searches are unbranded, meaning users are open to discovering new brands. Pinterest drives more referral traffic than Twitter, LinkedIn, and Reddit combined. For brands with visual products or content, it's a goldmine—if you brand it right.
What You'll Learn
- Pin design that drives clicks and saves
- Board strategy for brand discovery
- Pinterest SEO to appear in search results
- Visual identity that stands out in the feed
- Complete Pinterest brand kit checklist
Why Pinterest Branding Matters
Visual Search Engine
Users search with intent. 85% use Pinterest to start new projects. Your pins can be discovered for years.
Purchase Intent
Pinterest users are 90% more likely to say they're always shopping. They come ready to discover and buy.
Traffic Driver
Every pin links to your website. Pinterest drives more referral traffic than most social platforms combined.
Evergreen Content
Pins have a long lifespan—months or years. Content compounds over time unlike other platforms' fleeting posts.
Profile Optimization
Business Profile Setup
Profile Essentials
- Convert to Business account for analytics
- Claim your website for Rich Pins
- Use logo as profile photo (165x165px)
- Include keywords in display name
Bio Optimization (160 chars)
- What you do + who you help
- Include relevant keywords naturally
- Personality that matches your brand
- CTA or value proposition
Visual Specifications & Sizes
Complete Size Reference
| Element | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Profile Photo | 165x165px | Displays as circle. Use logo mark for brands. |
| Standard Pin | 1000x1500px (2:3 ratio) | Optimal vertical format. Can go up to 1000x2100px. |
| Square Pin | 1000x1000px (1:1 ratio) | Works but vertical performs better in feed. |
| Idea Pin (Multi-page) | 1080x1920px (9:16 ratio) | Full-screen vertical. Up to 20 pages per Idea Pin. |
| Video Pin | 1000x1500px or 1080x1920px | 2:3 or 9:16 vertical. 4 seconds to 15 minutes. |
| Board Cover | 600x600px | Square format. Select from existing pin or upload custom. |
| Pin Title | 100 characters max | First 30-35 characters visible in feed. |
| Pin Description | 500 characters max | Include keywords naturally for search. |
Pin Types & Formats
Standard Pins
Static images that link to your website
Best for: Blog posts, products, inspiration, tutorials
Branding Tips
- Use brand colors consistently
- Include readable text overlay
- Add subtle logo or URL
- Ensure high image quality
Video Pins
Short videos that autoplay in feed
Best for: Tutorials, product demos, behind-the-scenes, tips
Branding Tips
- Hook viewers in first 3 seconds
- Design for sound-off viewing
- Use branded intro/outro cards
- Include text overlays throughout
Idea Pins
Multi-page, story-like content (no external link)
Best for: Tutorials, step-by-steps, listicles, inspiration
Branding Tips
- Consistent design across all pages
- Brand first and last pages prominently
- Use templates for cohesive look
- Include CTA on final page
Product Pins
Shoppable pins with real-time pricing
Best for: E-commerce, product showcases, collections
Branding Tips
- Clean product photography
- Consistent background/styling
- Show product in use when possible
- Match website product imagery
Collection Pins
Featured pin with related products below
Best for: Product collections, curated looks, bundles
Branding Tips
- Cohesive hero image
- Related products that make sense together
- Consistent styling across collection
- Lifestyle imagery performs well
Pin Design Formulas
Text Overlay
Structure: Bold headline + supporting image
Best for: Blog posts, tips, quotes, how-tos
- Use large, readable fonts
- Limit to 6-8 words
- High contrast text/background
- Brand colors in text or overlay
Step-by-Step
Structure: Numbered steps with visuals
Best for: Tutorials, recipes, DIY projects
- Number each step clearly
- Consistent step formatting
- Before/after if relevant
- Clear visual progression
List Pin
Structure: Title + bulleted/numbered items
Best for: Tips, resources, checklists, ideas
- 5-10 items works well
- Tease content (not full list)
- Icons for visual interest
- Clear hierarchy
Product Showcase
Structure: Product image + key benefits
Best for: E-commerce, product marketing
- Clean, high-quality product photo
- Lifestyle context when possible
- Price or key feature callout
- Consistent product photography style
Infographic
Structure: Data/information visualized
Best for: Statistics, comparisons, educational content
- Simple, scannable design
- Brand colors throughout
- Clear data visualization
- Source credibility
Quote/Inspiration
Structure: Quote text + branded background
Best for: Motivation, thought leadership, brand values
- Readable typography
- Branded background or image
- Attribution if needed
- Align with brand voice
Board Strategy
Core Topic Boards
Main categories directly related to your business
Examples: For a branding company: "Logo Inspiration", "Brand Color Palettes", "Brand Guidelines Examples"
- Create 5-10 core boards
- Use keyword-rich titles
- Write detailed descriptions
- Pin consistently to each
Lifestyle/Adjacent Boards
Related topics your audience cares about
Examples: "Startup Office Inspiration", "Entrepreneur Motivation", "Creative Workspace Ideas"
- Connect to audience interests
- Curate quality content
- Mix your pins with others
- Build broader appeal
Resource Boards
Helpful content that serves your audience
Examples: "Free Business Tools", "Design Resources", "Marketing Tips"
- Provide genuine value
- Include others' content generously
- Position as helpful curator
- Build trust and authority
Seasonal/Trending Boards
Time-sensitive content that captures search trends
Examples: "2025 Branding Trends", "Holiday Marketing Ideas", "New Year Business Goals"
- Create ahead of season
- Update annually
- Ride trend searches
- Archive when outdated
Pinterest SEO
SEO Optimization Points
Pinterest Brand Kit Essentials
Common Pinterest Branding Mistakes
Using horizontal images instead of vertical
Impact: Pins get lost in the feed, lower engagement and saves
Fix: Always use 2:3 vertical ratio (1000x1500px). Vertical dominates Pinterest's layout.
Inconsistent visual branding across pins
Impact: No brand recognition, looks unprofessional
Fix: Create Pin templates with consistent colors, fonts, and styling. Use brand kit.
Ignoring Pinterest SEO
Impact: Pins don't appear in search, missing discovery opportunity
Fix: Treat Pinterest like a search engine. Use keywords in titles, descriptions, and board names.
Not enabling Rich Pins
Impact: Missing extra information that drives clicks and trust
Fix: Claim your website and enable Rich Pins for automatic metadata syncing.
Pinning only your own content
Impact: Looks self-promotional, limits board value
Fix: Mix 60% your content with 40% curated quality content from others.
No text overlay on pins
Impact: Pins don't communicate value, lower click-through
Fix: Add compelling text overlay that explains what users will get.
Sporadic pinning with long gaps
Impact: Algorithm deprioritizes inconsistent accounts
Fix: Pin consistently (5-15 pins daily is ideal). Use scheduling tools.
Generic board covers or no covers
Impact: Profile looks unpolished, missed branding opportunity
Fix: Create branded board covers with consistent design system.
Complete Pinterest Branding Checklist
Profile
Boards
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the ideal Pinterest Pin size?
The optimal Pin size is 1000x1500px (2:3 aspect ratio). Vertical pins dominate Pinterest's feed layout and get more visibility. You can go taller (up to 1000x2100px) for infographics, but 2:3 is the sweet spot for most content. Square pins (1:1) work but get less real estate in the feed. Never use horizontal images—they get lost.
How often should I pin on Pinterest?
Consistency matters more than volume. Aim for 5-15 pins daily, spread throughout the day. Use scheduling tools like Tailwind or Pinterest's native scheduler. Mix fresh pins (new images linking to your content) with repins of quality content from others. Quality over quantity—10 great pins beat 50 mediocre ones.
Should I use hashtags on Pinterest?
Yes, but sparingly. Use 2-5 relevant hashtags at the end of your pin description. Unlike Instagram, Pinterest hashtags function more like keywords for search. Choose specific, relevant hashtags rather than broad ones. Don't overdo it—Pinterest prioritizes natural language descriptions over hashtag stuffing.
How do I get more saves and clicks on my pins?
Focus on: (1) Compelling text overlays that promise clear value, (2) High-quality, vertical images, (3) SEO-optimized titles and descriptions, (4) Consistent branding that builds recognition, (5) Fresh pin designs (Pinterest favors new images), (6) Relevant, keyword-rich descriptions, (7) Pinning to relevant boards, (8) Engaging with trending topics and seasons.
What's the difference between Rich Pins and regular Pins?
Rich Pins automatically sync information from your website to your pins. There are three types: Article Pins (headline, author, description), Product Pins (real-time pricing, availability), and Recipe Pins (ingredients, cook time). Rich Pins look more professional, update automatically, and typically get higher engagement. Enable them by claiming your website in Pinterest settings.
How important are Pinterest boards for branding?
Very important. Boards organize your content and help users (and Pinterest's algorithm) understand what you're about. Use keyword-rich board titles, write detailed descriptions, create branded board covers, and organize boards by importance. Your boards should tell a cohesive story about your brand while serving your audience's interests.
Ready to Build Your Pinterest Brand?
Create a complete brand identity with professional logos, color palettes, and templates—then design pins that drive traffic and sales.
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Founder & CEO of Magnt | Serial Entrepreneur | Startup Advisor
Serial entrepreneur and branding expert. Founder of Magnt, advisor to 100+ startups, and thought leader in AI-powered branding.