How to Get More Followers on Pinterest (12 Tips That Actually Work)

Growing your Pinterest following can feel painfully slow when you are just starting out. You pin consistently, your graphics look decent, and yet your follower count barely moves. Sound familiar?

Here is the thing most people get wrong about how to get more followers on Pinterest: they treat it like Instagram. They chase likes and comments instead of focusing on what Pinterest actually rewards, which is searchable, saveable content that solves a problem.

I have spent years testing what works (and what is a total waste of time) on Pinterest. In this guide, I am sharing 12 strategies that have helped me and my clients build real, engaged followings without spending hours a day on the platform.

Switch to a Pinterest Business Account

If you are still using a personal Pinterest account, you are leaving growth on the table. A business account gives you access to Pinterest Analytics, Rich Pins, ad tools, and trend data that personal accounts simply do not have.

The switch is free and takes about two minutes. Once you have a business account, you can see exactly which pins are getting saved, what people are searching for, and where your traffic is coming from. That data alone is worth the upgrade because you stop guessing and start making decisions based on real numbers.

If you want to dig deeper into what those numbers mean, check out this guide on reading the Pinterest data that actually matters.

Optimize Your Pinterest Profile for Search

Your profile is the first thing people see when they discover your pins, and it needs to do two jobs at once: tell humans what you are about and tell Pinterest’s algorithm the same thing.

Start with your display name. Add a keyword after your brand name, something like “Oraya Studios | Pinterest Marketing Tips.” This helps you show up when people search for your topic. Your bio should describe exactly who you help and how, using natural language that includes your target keywords.

Choose a clear, professional profile photo or logo. Pick a username that matches your brand across other platforms. And claim your website so Pinterest can verify you are the real deal. These small details add up to a profile that converts visitors into followers.

Create Niche-Specific Boards That Attract the Right People

Random boards filled with random pins confuse the algorithm and confuse potential followers. When someone lands on your profile and sees boards that are all over the place, they have no reason to hit follow.

Instead, create boards that clearly reflect your niche. If you blog about Pinterest marketing, you might have boards like “Pinterest SEO Tips,” “Pin Design Inspiration,” and “Pinterest for Bloggers.” Each board should have a keyword-rich title and a description that tells Pinterest exactly what type of content lives there.

Aim for 8 to 15 well-organized boards that work as your secret weapon for attracting followers. Delete or archive anything that does not fit your current focus. Quality beats quantity every time.

Design Pins That People Actually Want to Save

Saves are the currency of Pinterest growth. When someone saves your pin, it signals to the algorithm that your content is worth showing to more people. And that ripple effect is what brings new followers to your profile.

Stick to vertical images with a 2:3 ratio (1000 x 1500 pixels works well). Use bold, readable text overlays that tell people exactly what they will get. Keep your branding consistent so your pins are recognizable in the feed, whether that means using the same fonts, colors, or logo placement.

Not sure which pin format to use? There is a helpful breakdown of static vs. video vs. idea pins that can help you decide what fits your content best.

Use Pinterest SEO So People Can Find You

Pinterest is a search engine first and a social platform second. That means the biggest driver of new followers is not how often you engage with others. It is whether your content shows up when people search.

Use relevant keywords in your pin titles, pin descriptions, board titles, board descriptions, and even your image file names before uploading. Think about what your ideal follower would type into the Pinterest search bar and work those phrases into your content naturally.

Long-tail keywords work especially well on Pinterest. Instead of targeting “recipes,” try “easy weeknight dinner recipes for beginners.” The more specific you get, the less competition you face and the more likely you are to rank. If keyword research feels overwhelming, this guide on Pinterest keyword research walks you through the whole process.

Post Consistently (Without Burning Out)

Consistency matters more than volume on Pinterest. Pinning 5 quality pins a day is better than pinning 30 random things in one burst and disappearing for two weeks.

The sweet spot for most creators is between 5 and 15 pins per day, spread throughout the day. You do not have to sit at your computer pinning manually, either. Tools like Tailwind let you schedule pins in batches so your content goes out at optimal times even while you sleep.

Create a simple weekly routine. Spend an hour or two each week designing fresh pins and scheduling them out. That small time investment compounds over weeks and months into serious follower growth.

Prioritize Fresh, Original Content Over Repins

Pinterest has made it very clear in recent years: fresh content gets priority. That means new pin images linking to your content will outperform reposting the same pin over and over.

For every blog post or product you want to promote, create multiple pin designs with different images, titles, and descriptions. This gives Pinterest fresh signals each time while still driving traffic to the same destination. Three to five unique pin designs per URL is a solid starting point.

Engage with Other Creators in Your Niche

Pinterest is not as social as Instagram, but engagement still plays a role. Saving other people’s pins, leaving thoughtful comments on pins in your niche, and following accounts that align with your content sends positive signals to the algorithm.

When you engage with content in your niche, Pinterest gets a clearer picture of what your account is about. That helps it recommend your pins to the right audience, which leads to more profile visits and more followers.

Spend 5 to 10 minutes a day engaging with related content. That is enough to see a difference without turning it into a second job.

Use Idea Pins to Boost Your Visibility

Idea Pins (formerly Story Pins) get extra visibility from Pinterest because they keep users on the platform longer. They show up in dedicated tabs, in the home feed, and in search results, which means more eyeballs on your content.

Use Idea Pins to share tutorials, step-by-step guides, before-and-afters, or quick tips related to your niche. Keep each slide focused on one clear point, and include a call to action on the final slide encouraging people to follow you for more.

Cross-Promote Your Pinterest on Other Platforms

Your existing audience on other platforms probably does not know you are on Pinterest. Tell them. Add a Pinterest link to your Instagram bio, mention it in your email newsletters, embed your boards on your blog or website, and include a follow button on your site.

Every blog post you publish is an opportunity to add a “Pin It” button or a direct link to your Pinterest profile. The people who already like your content are the most likely to follow you on a new platform because they already know what they are getting.

Study What Is Working and Do More of It

Once you have been pinning for a few weeks, your analytics will tell a clear story. Some pins will take off while others barely get seen. Pay attention to the patterns.

Look at which pin designs get the most saves, which boards drive the most traffic, and which topics your audience responds to. Then double down on what works. If listicle-style pins in your “Pinterest Tips” board are outperforming everything else, make more of those.

If you are not sure where to look for monetization ideas once your following grows, this post on beginner-friendly ways to make money on Pinterest is a great starting point.

Be Patient and Think Long-Term

Pinterest growth is slow compared to platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels. A pin you publish today might not get traction for weeks or even months. That is normal, and it is actually one of Pinterest’s biggest advantages. Your content has a much longer shelf life here.

Most Pinterest creators I know did not see serious follower growth until months three through six of consistent effort. The ones who gave up after four weeks are the ones posting in Reddit threads about how Pinterest is dead. It is not dead. It just rewards patience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many followers do you need on Pinterest to make money?

You do not need a specific follower count to start earning on Pinterest. Some creators make money with just a few hundred followers by driving targeted traffic to affiliate links, digital products, or blog posts with display ads. Followers help, but traffic and saves matter more for monetization.

Do hashtags help you get more followers on Pinterest?

Pinterest has downplayed the importance of hashtags over the past few years. They still work in a limited way on Idea Pins, but for standard pins, your time is better spent writing keyword-rich descriptions and titles. SEO beats hashtags on this platform.

How often should I pin to grow my following?

Aim for 5 to 15 pins per day, spread out throughout the day. Consistency is more important than volume. Pinning every day, even just a few pins, will give you better results than pinning 50 things on Monday and nothing for the rest of the week.

Should I follow a lot of people to get followers back?

Mass following is an outdated strategy that can actually hurt your account. Pinterest may flag your account for spammy behavior if you follow hundreds of accounts in a short time. Instead, follow a handful of relevant creators in your niche and focus your energy on creating great content.

Final Thoughts

Getting more followers on Pinterest is not about tricks or shortcuts. It comes down to showing up consistently with valuable, searchable content that speaks directly to your niche. Optimize your profile, create pins worth saving, lean into Pinterest SEO, and give it time.

The followers will come. And unlike other platforms where followers disappear when the algorithm shifts, Pinterest followers tend to stick around because they found you through search, not a trending sound that expires in 48 hours. Start with one or two strategies from this list, build the habit, and scale from there.