A common question I encounter is about the importance of keywording on Pinterest. The answer is — it’s incredibly important! However, there’s a right and a wrong way to approach it. Pinterest functions as a search and discovery network, where users seek ideas, dreams, plans, goals, recipes, and more. To ensure your content is discoverable amidst a multitude of pins, it’s vital to incorporate the right search terms.

Let’s delve into it— understanding the what, why, where, and how.

What is Pinterest Keywording?

Keywording involves adding niche-specific words that enable Pinterest users to locate the content they seek. For instance, if I search for “modern farmhouse bathroom lights,” I expect Pinterest to show relevant results. Why? Because I’m looking for something very specific.

Keywording helps organize content. If a user searches for ‘DIY Floating Shelves,’ Pinterest will display pins containing those keywords in their descriptions, along with other related terms like DIY, Shelves, and Floating. The platform is evolving, so occasionally, unrelated items might appear, but it aims to be as accurate as possible.

The moral? Be specific and strategic with your keywords.

Note that keywording on Pinterest differs from Google. Currently, there’s no tool for ranking keywords on Pinterest, but you can utilize the recently released Pinterest Trends tool, which may become a primary resource for keyword research on Pinterest.

What Keywording is Not!

Keywording isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about ensuring the right audience finds your content, leading to qualified leads and community growth. Don’t aim too broadly. For instance, if your target audience isn’t in the wedding space, don’t create a board for weddings.

Why Keyword on Pinterest?

Imagine you have a niche business targeting a specific demographic — like stay-at-home moms in their early 20s with three kids. You’d use specific keywords to ensure they find your content, providing them with valuable tools for their daily life.

As someone focusing on Pinterest marketing and management, I ensure that every board, board description, and pin description includes relevant keywords. Another reason to keyword is to assist Pinterest’s algorithm in categorizing your content and promoting it to interested users who may not follow you yet.

How to Keyword on Pinterest ?

Use simple, niche-relevant words. Pinterest has reduced what’s visible in descriptions, so brevity and directness are key. You can use up to 500 characters in your pin description.

In August 2017, Pinterest endorsed hashtags, but there hasn’t been a significant push for their use since.

The end-user primarily focuses on the image. If the image is informative, they’ll look there first. If the image lacks details, they’ll refer to the description, which doesn’t need to be fancy, just informative.

Where to Keyword on Pinterest

Start by optimizing images on your site. For WordPress users, when adding an image to a post, place your keywords in the Pinterest description box, not the alt-text (which is for the visually impaired). See the image below for an example.

Keywording is crucial because when someone pins your content, the description attached to your pin is what ‘travels’ with it.

For instance, you’ve crafted an excellent post about DIY Floating Shelves. When it’s pinned, the alt text shouldn’t be irrelevant like “image o8315.” And without Rich Pins, your content’s context relies heavily on the description.

If you’re unsure how to update older posts, start by using the search bar to identify relevant keywords for your content.

In summary, effective keywording on Pinterest is not just about improving visibility; it’s about connecting the right audience with the right content. It’s a strategic process that requires precision, relevance, and an understanding of your target audience’s needs and interests.

By carefully selecting and using keywords in your pins, profile, and board descriptions, you can significantly enhance the discoverability and impact of your content on Pinterest.

At More Content Studio, we understand the nuances and evolving trends of platforms like Pinterest. Our expertise lies in crafting content that not only resonates with your audience but also aligns seamlessly with platform-specific SEO practices. We help brands and businesses to optimize their online presence, ensuring that every piece of content — be it an image, a blog post, or a social media update — is not just seen, but also engages and converts.