Pinterest Keyword Research: How to Find High-Traffic Keywords

Why Keywords Matter on Pinterest

Pinterest is a visual search engine, and keywords are how users find your content. Proper keyword research can mean the difference between pins that get 10 views and pins that get 10,000 views.

Pinterest Keyword Research Methods

1. Pinterest Search Bar Auto-Suggestions

The simplest and most effective method. Start typing your topic in the Pinterest search bar and note the auto-complete suggestions. These are real searches that real users are making. Create content and pins targeting these exact phrases.

2. Pinterest Guided Search Bubbles

After searching for a term, look at the colored keyword bubbles above the results. These show related topics that users commonly search for. Click on them to discover sub-niches and long-tail keywords.

3. Pinterest Trends

Visit trends.pinterest.com to see what's trending. You can filter by country, time period, and category. This helps you plan seasonal content and capitalize on rising trends before they peak.

4. Competitor Analysis

Study successful accounts in your niche. Look at their pin titles, descriptions, and board names. Note which keywords they use repeatedly — these are likely high-performing keywords.

Where to Use Your Keywords

• Pin titles: Include your primary keyword near the beginning
• Pin descriptions: Use 2-3 related keywords naturally
• Board names: Name boards after search terms, not clever phrases
• Board descriptions: Include keyword variations and related terms
• Profile name and bio: Include your main topic keywords
• Image alt text: Use descriptive, keyword-rich file names

Long-Tail Keywords for Pinterest

Long-tail keywords (3-5 word phrases) are often easier to rank for and attract more qualified traffic. Instead of targeting "recipes," target "easy 30-minute weeknight recipes" or "healthy meal prep ideas for beginners."

Keyword Research Tools

While Pinterest's built-in tools are the best primary source, you can supplement with Google Keyword Planner (search behavior often correlates), AnswerThePublic (for question-based keywords), and Pinterest Analytics (to see which keywords are already driving your traffic).