how to leverage pinterest for affiliate marketing
By Bethany Hamilton
Published: 29 Apr 2025
woman smiling happily using a laptop | Image: Supplied
Understanding the Pinterest Algorithm: It's Not as Scary as You Think
Pinterest isn't just a pretty picture board; it's a visual search engine. People use it to find ideas, inspiration, and products. Unlike other platforms, Pinterest rewards consistent, high-quality content. Think evergreen content—information that's always relevant. This means that creating amazing pins that people will want to save and refer to again and again is key to your success. Don't create fleeting, trendy pins unless you can do it consistently. Find a niche and stick with it!. I've noticed that creating a series of pins that focus on a specific problem helps. For example, if you're in the beauty niche you could do a whole series on 'how to get a perfect winged eyeliner'. People love a great tutorial and the images will help them make sense of it!
Pinterest infographics about affiliate marketing | Image: Supplied
Keyword Research: The Foundation of Your Pinterest Strategy
Before you even think about creating a single pin, you NEED to do keyword research. Use tools like Pinterest itself (check the search bar for auto-complete suggestions), and other keyword research tools (there are many free and paid ones out there!). What are people searching for related to your niche? What problems are they trying to solve? Once you've identified those keywords, incorporate them into your pin descriptions, titles, and even your board names. Don't stuff them in awkwardly, though! Think naturally. And don't forget to include relevant hashtags. I personally love to use Tailwind Tribes to grow my audience. It can be a lifesaver if you want to network!
woman working on a laptop doing keyword research | Image: Supplied
Creating High-Quality Pins that Convert
Your pins are your storefront on Pinterest. They need to be visually appealing, eye-catching, and relevant to your keywords. Use high-resolution images or videos. Canva is a great free tool for creating stunning pins. Don't be afraid to experiment with different design styles. A/B testing is your best friend here! Try different fonts, color schemes, and layouts to see what resonates best with your audience. What works for one person might not work for another, so experiment and learn what works best for you!
examples of high-quality Pinterest pins for affiliate marketing | Image: Supplied
Building Your Brand and Audience on Pinterest
Think of your Pinterest profile as your online business card. Make it visually appealing and informative. Include a clear profile picture, a concise bio that highlights your expertise, and links to your website and other social media profiles. Also, create a mix of boards focused on your niche. Be active on the platform; engage with other users, comment on their pins, and join group boards (more on that below). Don't go crazy, but a little engagement can go a long way. The more you can interact with others, the better your chances of finding your tribe!
Pinterest profile example for affiliate marketers | Image: Supplied
The Power of Group Boards: Expand Your Reach
Group boards are a fantastic way to get your pins in front of a larger audience. Think of them as collaborative Pinterest boards where multiple users can pin. Find relevant group boards in your niche and request to join. But be picky! Don't just join any group board. Only join ones that are highly active and have a strong community. And remember to only pin high-quality, relevant content that aligns with the group's theme. Remember, you need to be helpful and add value!
Pinterest group board example | Image: Supplied
Analytics and Optimization: Tracking Your Success
Pinterest provides detailed analytics that can help you track your progress and identify what's working and what's not. Pay attention to your pin impressions, saves, clicks, and website traffic. Use this data to refine your strategy. What pins are performing best? What keywords are driving the most traffic? Continuously analyze and adapt. Pinterest is a dynamic platform, so you need to adapt your pins and strategy to keep growing!
Pinterest analytics dashboard | Image: Supplied
Affiliate Link Strategies on Pinterest
You can include affiliate links directly in your pin descriptions, or you can drive traffic to a blog post or landing page with your affiliate links on it. Always be transparent with your audience and disclose your affiliate relationships. Honesty is the best policy. Also, ensure that the products you're promoting are relevant to your niche and align with your brand values. I recently found this awesome course about affiliate disclosure, and it helped me so much!
affiliate marketing on Pinterest best practices | Image: Supplied
woman celebrating success with laptop | Image: Supplied
