To post on Pinterest, click the plus icon in the top right corner of your screen and select “Create Pin.” Upload your image or video, write a keyword-rich title and description, add your destination URL, choose the right board, and click Publish. You can post immediately or schedule your pin to go live at a future date and time.
It sounds simple enough, and technically it is. But there is a significant gap between posting a pin and posting a pin that actually gets traffic. The steps are the same. The details are where most people either win or waste their time.
Pinterest is a visual search engine, and every pin you create is a piece of searchable content that can drive traffic for months or even years after you post it. Getting the posting process right from the start means every piece of content you put out has a real shot at ranking. This guide walks you through exactly how to post on Pinterest the right way, whether you are on desktop or mobile, and whether you are posting right now or scheduling ahead.
Want a shortcut for writing better pin titles? The free 50 Pin Title Templates gives you ready-to-use title formulas proven to attract clicks and saves. Grab it below and start posting pins that actually get seen.
What you can post on Pinterest
Before getting into the steps, it helps to understand what Pinterest actually supports. You are not limited to static images anymore, and knowing your options means you can choose the format that works best for your content.
Standard pins are static images, typically vertical at a 2:3 ratio, and are still the most widely distributed format. Video pins autoplay in feeds and tend to grab attention faster. Idea pins (formerly Story Pins) are multi-page posts that stay on your profile permanently rather than linking out to a URL, making them better for brand building than traffic driving. For most bloggers and content creators, standard pins linked to a blog post or product page are the main vehicle for generating clicks.
The format you choose affects how your content is shown in feeds and search results, so it is worth being intentional. If driving traffic to your site is the goal, focus your energy on standard pins and video pins with destination URLs attached. Before anything else, make sure your account is set up correctly by reviewing this guide on how to optimize your Pinterest profile so your posts have the best possible foundation.
How to post a pin from your desktop
Desktop is generally the preferred way to create pins because you have more screen real estate, better image quality control, and easier access to scheduling. Here is the full process step by step.
Log in to Pinterest and click the plus icon in the top right corner of your screen. Select “Create Pin” from the dropdown menu. You will land on the pin creation page, which has an image upload area on the left and your pin details on the right.
Click the upload area to add your image or drag and drop it directly. Pinterest recommends a 1000 by 1500 pixel image at a 2:3 ratio. Vertical images take up more space in the feed and typically perform better than square or horizontal images. Once your image is uploaded, fill in the title field with a clear, keyword-focused phrase that describes exactly what the pin is about. Add a detailed description using natural language and relevant keywords, since Pinterest’s algorithm reads your description text to decide which searches your pin is relevant for.
Add your destination URL in the link field. This is the page you want people to land on when they click your pin. Double check that the URL works before publishing. Then select the board you want to save the pin to. Pick the most topically relevant board rather than a general catchall. Click Publish to post immediately, or use the dropdown arrow next to the Publish button to choose a scheduled date and time instead.
How to post on Pinterest from your phone
The mobile app gives you a slightly different interface but the same core workflow. Open the Pinterest app and tap the plus icon at the bottom center of your screen. Select “Pin” from the menu that appears. You can choose an image from your camera roll, take a new photo, or paste a URL to pull an image from a web page.
After selecting your image, tap “Next” to get to the details screen. Add your title and description the same way you would on desktop, then paste in your destination URL and select your board. Tap “Publish” to post immediately. Note that Pinterest’s mobile scheduling feature has been available for business accounts, though the desktop interface gives you more reliable access to the scheduler and better overall control over pin details.
If you are creating a lot of pins, desktop will save you significant time. Mobile posting is best used for quick saves or idea pins where the spontaneous format fits the content. For anything that needs a specific URL, title, and board assignment, doing it on desktop reduces the chance of errors.
How to schedule Pinterest posts in advance
Pinterest has a built-in scheduler that lets you queue pins up to two weeks in advance. This is one of the most underused features on the platform and one of the highest-value ones for anyone trying to build a consistent presence without being online all day.
To schedule a pin, follow the same steps as creating a regular pin. Before clicking Publish, click the small dropdown arrow to the right of the Publish button. Select “Schedule” and use the date and time picker to choose when you want the pin to go live. Pinterest will automatically post it at that time without you needing to do anything further.
You can view all your scheduled pins from the Manage Boards section of your profile. This lets you see what is queued, make edits before pins go live, and plan your content calendar visually. A good posting rhythm for most accounts is one to five fresh pins per day. Scheduling ahead lets you maintain that consistency without the daily pressure of creating content in real time.
Ready to build a full Pinterest traffic system? The Complete Pinterest Toolkit covers posting strategy, board setup, keyword research, and scheduling so you can grow your traffic on autopilot.
Best practices for every pin you post
The mechanics of posting a pin take about two minutes. The strategy behind each pin is where the real difference shows. These are the practices that separate pins that get consistent traffic from pins that disappear after the first week.
Use a keyword in your pin title. Pinterest’s search algorithm weighs your title heavily when deciding which searches to show your pin in. A title like “How to Start a Blog and Make Money in 2025” will rank for far more searches than “My Latest Post.” Research what your audience is actually searching for and build your title around that phrase. Having a library of proven title formats helps enormously here, which is why the 50 Pin Title Templates resource gets so much use.
Design your pin image for vertical format. The standard 2:3 ratio takes up the most feed space and performs consistently better than other dimensions. Make sure any text overlay on your image is large, readable, and contrasts well with the background. If you need help creating strong pin images, this guide on how to create Pinterest graphics covers design tools and templates that make the process fast.
Always attach a destination URL. This is the difference between a pin that builds traffic and a pin that just looks nice. Every pin linked to a real page on your site is a potential click. Pins without URLs are dead ends. Make sure the URL you use goes directly to the most relevant page, not just your homepage.
Choose the right board for each pin. The board you save to affects how Pinterest categorizes your content. Saving a home decor pin to your “Everything” board instead of your “Living Room Decor” board sends weaker signals to the algorithm. Keep your boards focused and organized, and this guide on how to make Pinterest boards explains exactly how to set them up for maximum visibility. If older boards no longer match your content focus, you can archive Pinterest boards to keep your profile clean without deleting any of your existing pins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times a day should I post on Pinterest? Most accounts perform well posting between one and five fresh pins per day. Consistency matters more than volume. It is better to post two pins every day than twenty pins one day and nothing for the next two weeks.
Can I post the same pin to multiple boards? Yes, but wait at least a few days between saves to avoid spam signals. Repinning the same content to relevant boards is a legitimate strategy for extending a pin’s reach, as long as you space it out and only save to boards where the content genuinely fits.
Do I need a Pinterest business account to post? You can post with a personal account, but a business account gives you access to analytics, scheduling, and better algorithmic reach. If you are using Pinterest to drive traffic to a blog or store, switching to a business account is strongly recommended. Learn more in this guide on how to optimize your Pinterest profile.
What is the best time to post on Pinterest? Pinterest distributes scheduled content throughout the day based on your audience’s active times. Evening hours between 8pm and 11pm tend to see higher engagement broadly, but your own analytics will show you when your specific audience is most active once you have enough data.
Key Takeaways
- Create pins by clicking the plus icon and filling in your image, title, description, URL, and board before publishing
- Desktop posting gives you better control over all pin details and easier access to the scheduler
- Use Pinterest’s built-in scheduler to queue pins up to two weeks in advance for consistent posting without daily effort
- Always include a keyword in your pin title and a destination URL to every pin you create
- Save each pin to the most relevant, focused board rather than a general catchall board
- Posting one to five fresh pins per day consistently outperforms sporadic bulk posting
Final Thoughts
Posting on Pinterest is a two-minute task. Posting on Pinterest strategically is a habit that compounds over time. The more intentional you are with each pin title, description, and board selection, the more your content library works for you in the background long after you have moved on to other things.
Start by getting the basics right consistently. Choose a posting rhythm you can actually maintain, build keyword-focused titles and descriptions into your process, and make sure every pin has a URL attached. From there, you can layer on scheduling, analytics, and board strategy as you grow. The foundation is simple. Everything else builds on it.