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Last updated on July 10th, 2024
In this guide, I’ll show you how to do free
I’m going to dive into:
- what keywords are
- why are keywords important
- how to identify relevant keywords
- free ways to do keyword research on
Pinterest - bonus paid tools if you’d like to save some time
Let’s get started.
Why are Pinterest keywords important?
A keyword is a word or phrase someone types into a search bar when they want to find something. This is true for both Google and
Here are some reasons why using the right keywords on
- Better Visibility: When someone searches for a specific topic or idea,
Pinterest shows them relevant pins based on the keywords used. So, using the right keywords increases the chances of your content being discovered and ranking higher in search results. - Reach Your Target Audience: By using relevant keywords that your target audience is likely to search for, you can attract users who are genuinely interested in your content, leading to higher engagement and conversions.
- Increase Blog Traffic:
Pinterest can significantly drive traffic to your blog (I can personally attest to this). By optimizing your pins with keywords that your audience frequently searches for, you can improve the likelihood of them visiting your blog. - Competitive Advantage: Keyword research helps you understand what’s trending on
Pinterest and what your audience is interested in. By using popular keywords, you can become a go-to source for information in your area. With other bloggers also optimizing their pins, using the right keywords is crucial to stay ahead and get noticed.
How to identify relevant Pinterest keywords
Knowing your audience and their interests is important for choosing the right keywords.
Here are some questions to help you understand your audience:
- Who are they? DIY fans, food lovers, travelers, or something else?
- What are their hobbies and interests?
- What problems are they facing?
- How do they talk about their interests?
- What are the current trends among them?
- Any specific times or holidays they care about?
If you’re not sure who exactly your ideal customer is, then don’t worry. I’ll show you how to brainstorm relevant
How to find Pinterest keywords for free
For a more practical approach, I will use a food blogger as an example to walk you through some of the methods below.
Be sure to copy all relevant keywords into an easy-to-reference document like Google Sheets.
1. Pinterest Search Bar (Autocomplete)
The most common way to find relevant keywords is to use the autocomplete function on the
Pinterest will give you suggestions based on what people often search for and, therefore, what your audience is interested in.
FOOD BLOGGER EXAMPLE: chocolate cake – people are not only looking for recipes for chocolate cake but how to decorate them as well.
To get inspiration for video ideas of chocolate cake, use the filters on the left to filter for videos.
2. Related Searches
After entering a keyword, scroll down the search results until you find the Related Searches section. Here, you’ll find additional keywords related to your initial search.
FOOD BLOGGER EXAMPLE: omelette recipes
3. Pinterest Ads Manager
Another way to find great keywords on
- Select “create campaign” in the top left menu ⇒ “manual campaign”
- Choose “build awareness” for the campaign objective
- Continue to the next page, where we’ll find our keywords.
- Under targeting strategy, select “choose your own”
- Scroll down to the “Interests and Keywords” section ⇒ add keywords.
Here, you can type in keywords to see what your audience is searching for.
FOOD BLOGGER EXAMPLE: strawberry
Press the little black plus icon to add them to the list section on the left, where you can copy them in bulk and add them to your spreadsheet.
4. Pinterest Trends Tool
To access the Pinterest trends tool, you’ll need to sign up for a
Once you’ve signed up, check your menu at the top left and click on “Trends” under the Analytics section.
There are two ways that I use this tool – search bar and filters.
Trends Search Bar
Continuing with the FOOD BLOGGER EXAMPLE – if you want to write a blog post on protein shakes, you can search for that term. The search results usually provide other relevant suggestions at the bottom. By selecting these, you can compare which keywords are most popular and incorporate them into your blog post.
The image below shows that more people search for “protein smoothie recipes” than “protein shake.” Although they basically mean the same thing, using “protein smoothie recipes” in your content will improve your visibility on
Note: You can even use both terms in your post if you want. But if you must pick one, go for the one more people search for.
Trends Filters
Play with the filters in the trends tool to find keywords you can use.
FOOD BLOGGER EXAMPLE: I wanted to look at the top monthly trends in the food and drinks industry. In the image below, you can see that “dinner recipes” is trending a lot. This would be a great idea to create your next blog post.
5. Pinterest Predicts
Pinterest Predicts is a not-yet-trending report that shares emerging trends for the coming year. It’s your guide to what people will shop, try, and buy next. Use these trends to stay ahead of the curve.
According to
You can check out their latest 2024 trend report here.
6. Pinterest Ideas
The Ideas section on
However, if your niche is very small or highly specific, you may not find it.
FOOD BLOGGER EXAMPLE: By taking a look at the food and drink section, you can see that a lot of people are looking for “comfort food recipes”. Explore each section to brainstorm some ideas for your next blog post.
Check out the Pinterest Ideas section here.
7. New Board Names (mobile only)
When saving a pin on mobile, select the option to create a new board. You’ll then receive suggestions of keywords related to the pin you saved.
FOOD BLOGGER EXAMPLE: chicken dinner recipes – in this example, some possible keywords to target would be “honey chicken recipe” and “chicken breast recipes.”
Watch the short video below for a demo.
Paid Pinterest Keyword Research Tools
If you’d like to save some time in the
1. Keysearch
Keysearch is one of the most affordable tools for keyword research on any platform. The
2. Keywordtool.io
I have seen Keywordtool.io gain popularity recently. It helps with the autocomplete method shown above. Even though I haven’t personally tested this one, it might be worth checking out.
3. Pin Inspector
This is another tool that helps with the autocomplete method. You can also use Pin Inspector to look for popular boards (I use this when I want to know what keywords to use to name my boards) and other cool features.
One thing to note is not to connect this to your
You can use this without connecting to any account (like I do) or by creating an extra
Conclusion
In wrapping up, bringing your
By using the different strategies I’ve talked about, you can pinpoint the best keywords for your posts. Remember, understanding your audience is crucial in this process.
So take the time to get into the minds of your ideal customer, and you’ll be growing your account in no time.
Your Next Steps
USE 1-2 METHODS ABOVE TO FIND THE BEST KEYWORDS FOR YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE
Once you’ve done your keyword research, placing them in the right spots is just as important. Check out this guide on the best keyword spots for more details.
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