How to Post on Pinterest: A Complete Guide

Posting on Pinterest works differently than most social platforms. You create a Pin with an image or video, title, description, destination link, and board placement. Each element serves a purpose in Pinterest’s visual search engine.

85% of weekly Pinners have made a purchase based on Pins they saw from brands—that’s significant buying intent.

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Quick Start: Post Your First Pinterest Pin

1. Click the + icon (bottom‑right on desktop, bottom‑center on mobile)

2. Upload your image (1000 × 1500 px, vertical format)

3. Add a keyword‑rich title (under 60 characters for mobile visibility)

4. Write a description (include relevant keywords naturally, up to 500 characters)

5. Add your destination link (where users go when they click)

6. Select a board (organize by topic)

7. Click Publish

For detailed instructions by device and content type, keep reading →

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Types of Pinterest Pins

• Standard Pins: Single image with title, description, and link

• Video Pins: Short videos (6‑15 seconds) or longer tutorials

• Carousel Pins: 2‑5 swipeable images in one Pin

• Idea Pins: Multi‑page native content (no outbound links)

• Product Pins: Enhanced Pins with pricing and purchase info

This guide covers how to create standard, video, and carousel Pins—the three most common formats for businesses.

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Before You Start: Account Requirements

• A free Pinterest account (personal or business)

• Images or videos to upload

• Optional: A website URL to drive traffic

• Recommended: High‑quality vertical images (1000 × 1500 px)

Don’t have an account yet? Creating one takes 2 minutes at pinterest.com/signup.

Already have a personal account? Convert to a business account for free analytics and Rich Pins.

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How to Post on Pinterest from Desktop

1. Open pinterest.com and log in.

2. Click the plus icon (+) in the bottom‑right corner.

3. Select “Create Pin.”

4. Click the upload area or drag your image file onto the screen.

5. Choose your image (PNG, JPG, or JPEG).

6. Add your title (up to 100 characters; keep it under 60 for mobile).

7. Write your description (up to 500 characters; use natural language).

8. Add your destination link.

9. Choose a board (or create a new one).

10. Click Publish.

Tips:

• Drag‑and‑drop images directly onto the upload area.

• Verify links and check for typos before publishing.

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How to Post on Pinterest from Mobile App

iOS

1. Tap the plus icon (+) at the bottom center and select “Pin.”

2. Choose an image from your camera roll or take a new photo.

3. Tap Next.

4. Add title, description, and destination link.

5. Select a board.

6. Tap Publish.

Android

1. Tap the image icon to open your gallery.

2. Select the photo, then tap Next.

3. Enter title, description, and destination link.

4. Choose a board and tap Publish.

You can edit Pins after publishing by opening the Pin, tapping the three‑dot menu, and selecting Edit Pin.

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Video Pins

• Accept .mp4 or .mov files.

• Recommended length: 6‑15 seconds (longer works for tutorials).

• Use vertical or square format; 2:3 aspect ratio (1000 × 1500 px) is optimal.

• Add captions or text overlays because many users watch without sound.

• The first 3 seconds are crucial—start with a compelling visual or promise.

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Carousel Pins (Multiple Images)

1. Click the plus icon (+) → Create Pin → Create from multiple images.

2. Upload 2‑5 images and arrange their order.

3. Add a title, description, and destination link (the same link applies to all images).

4. Choose a board and publish.

Carousel Pins are great for step‑by‑step tutorials, before‑and‑after comparisons, or product collections.

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Best Practices for Posting on Pinterest

Image Quality & Dimensions

• Use high‑resolution, well‑lit vertical images (minimum 1000 × 1500 px, 2:3 aspect ratio).

• Consistent branding (colors, fonts, style) builds recognition.

Writing Effective Titles & Descriptions

• Include keywords naturally.

• Keep titles clear and specific; avoid clickbait.

• Front‑load the first 50‑60 characters of the description, as they appear in search results.

Rich Pins

• Provide extra context (pricing, ingredients, headlines).

• Types: product, recipe, article, app.

• Set up by adding metadata to your website and validating the domain—takes about 15 minutes.

Posting Frequency & Timing

• Consistency beats volume: aim for at least one high‑quality Pin daily.

• Test posting times; 1 p.m. often performs well, but adjust based on your audience’s analytics.

Board Organization

• Create keyword‑rich board names and descriptions (100‑200 characters).

• Keep each board focused on a single theme.

Leveraging Pinterest Analytics

| Metric | What It Tells You | How to Use It |

|--------|-------------------|---------------|

| Impressions | How often your Pins appear | Measure reach |

| Saves | Users bookmarking your Pin | Indicates value & future reach |

| Clicks | Traffic to your website | Measures direct response |

| Engagement Rate | Interactions ÷ impressions | Shows relevance |

Review analytics weekly to identify top‑performing Pins, audience demographics, and content trends.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using horizontal images (they get cut off).

• Omitting a destination link.

• Keyword stuffing.

• Duplicating Pins on the same board.

• Posting inconsistently.

• Ignoring analytics.

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Advanced Features

Scheduling Pins (Native)

1. Create your Pin.

2. Click the schedule option before publishing.

3. Choose date and time, then confirm.

Third‑Party Scheduling Tools

• Buffer, Tailwind, Hootsuite integrate with Pinterest and allow batch scheduling, recycling top‑performing content, and managing multiple accounts.

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Managing Your Pinterest Content

Deleting a Pin

• Desktop: Open Pin → three‑dot menu → Delete Pin → confirm.

• Mobile: Open Pin → three‑dot menu → Delete Pin → confirm.

Archiving Pins

• Move Pins to a secret board to hide them without permanent deletion.

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Common Questions

Is it free to post on Pinterest?

Yes. Posting is free; advertising is optional.

How do I get started as a beginner?

Create a free account, build themed boards, save Pins you like, then start creating your own Pins with keyword‑rich titles and descriptions.

Can I edit a Pin after publishing?

Yes—use the three‑dot menu on the Pin and select Edit Pin.

Should I use a personal or business account?

For marketing purposes, use a business account to access analytics, Rich Pins, and advertising options.

How often should I post?

At least one high‑quality Pin daily. New accounts may post 3‑5 Pins per day for the first month, then settle to 1‑3 daily.

What file formats does Pinterest accept?

Images: PNG, JPG, JPEG (under 20 MB).

Videos: MP4, MOV (under 2 GB).

Recommended dimensions: 1000 × 1500 px (2:3 aspect ratio).

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Your Next Steps

1. Choose a high‑quality vertical image (or video).

2. Write a clear, keyword‑rich title and description.

3. Add a destination link.

4. Select an appropriate board.

5. Publish (or schedule) your Pin.

6. Monitor performance in Pinterest Analytics and iterate.

Consistency and quality are key. Start with one Pin daily, test different formats, and let the platform’s long‑tail reach work for you.

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Author

Neal Schaffer – globally recognized digital marketing expert, keynote speaker, and Fractional CMO. Neal empowers businesses to strategically leverage digital, content, influencer, and social media marketing for growth. He is President of PDCA Social, teaches at Rutgers Business School and UCLA Extension, and is the author of several bestselling books, including Digital Threads.

Based in Irvine, California.