Driving traffic to your Etsy shop starts with meeting customers where they already are, and for countless creators, that place is Pinterest. Successfully adding your Etsy links to Pinterest is one of the most effective, long-term strategies for attracting buyers who are actively searching for products just like yours. This guide breaks down exactly how to connect your Etsy shop and Pinterest account, create pins that convert, and follow the best practices that turn browsers into customers.
Why Connecting Etsy and Pinterest Is a Game-Changer
Before stepping into the "how," it's worth understanding the "why." Unlike platforms built on fleeting, chronological feeds, Pinterest is a visual search engine. Users come here to discover ideas, plan purchases, and find unique products. For an Etsy seller, this is a perfect match.
    - High Buyer Intent: Pinners aren't just scrolling, they're actively looking for solutions and products. Data consistently shows that users on Pinterest are more likely to make a purchase than users on many other social platforms. They come with the intention to shop.
     - Long-Term Traffic: A tweet disappears in minutes, and an Instagram post lasts a day. A well-optimized pin can continue driving traffic to your Etsy listing for months, or even years, after you first publish it. It's a marketing asset that compounds over time.
     - Visual Storytelling: Etsy is all about unique, beautiful, and handcrafted items. Pinterest gives you the visual canvas to showcase your products in their best light. You can use stunning lifestyle photos, behind-the-scenes videos, and branded graphics to tell your product's story far more effectively than a simple listing description can.
     - Direct Link to Purchase: Every pin can be a direct doorway to your Etsy product page. There are no extra steps or "link in bio" workarounds. A potential customer sees your ceramic mug, clicks the pin, and lands directly on the listing where they can buy it. It's a beautifully clean and simple path to purchase.
 
The Wrong Way to Share: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many Etsy sellers try linking to Pinterest but get frustrated with the lack of results. Often, this comes down to a few common errors that are easy to fix once you know what to look for. Avoid these pitfalls to make sure your efforts pay off.
    - Using the Etsy "Share" Button Indiscriminately: While convenient, using the social share buttons directly from an Etsy listing can sometimes create pins that aren’t fully optimized. They might pull a generic description or an awkwardly cropped image. You have far more control by creating the pin yourself.
     - Using Link Shorteners: Never use bit.ly or other link shorteners for your pin's destination URL. Pinterest often views these with suspicion and may even flag your account or demote your pin's reach. Always use the full, direct URL from your Etsy listing.
     - Skipping the Description Box: One of the biggest missed opportunities is uploading a beautiful photo with no description. Pinterest's algorithm *reads* your description to understand what your pin is about and who to show it to. An empty description box means you're invisible in search.
     - Forgetting to Claim Your Etsy Account: This is a foundational step that unlocks analytics and adds a layer of professional legitimacy to your pins. Unclaimed pins don't have the same weight, and you miss out on valuable data about what is and isn't working.
 
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Properly Add an Etsy Link to Pinterest
Ready to make it happen? Follow these steps to properly connect your accounts and create high-performing pins that send targeted traffic straight to your Etsy shop.
Part 1: Claiming Your Etsy Shop on Pinterest (The Foundational Step)
Claiming your site tells Pinterest that you are the legitimate owner of the content from that URL. In return, Pinterest will feature your profile picture next to any pins originating from your shop and grant you access to analytics for those pins. This is a must-do.
First, make sure you have a Pinterest Business account. If you’re using a personal account, you can convert it for free in your settings. It only takes a minute and is required for claiming your shop.
    - Log into your Pinterest Business account.
     - Click the down arrow in the top right corner and go to Settings.
     - On the left-hand menu, click on Claimed accounts.
     - Beside "Websites," click the Claim button.
     - A pop-up will appear. In the box, type your main Etsy shop URL (e.g., yourshopname.etsy.com). Click "Continue."
     - Pinterest will give you a few options for verification. Select the option "Add HTML tag."
     - Copy the entire string of code provided. It will look something like `<,meta name="p:domain_verify" content="[a long series of numbers and letters]"/>,`.
     - Keep this Pinterest tab open. In a new browser tab, log into your Etsy account.
     - Go to your Shop Manager, navigate to Settings, and then click on Social Media.
     - You'll see a field specifically for "Pinterest." Paste the HTML tag you copied from Pinterest into this box. Click Save.
     - Go back to your Pinterest settings tab and click Verify. Pinterest will check your Etsy shop for the code. It can take up to 24 hours, but often it's much faster. Once approved, you'll see a green checkmark next to your Etsy URL in your Claimed Accounts section.
 
Part 2: Pinning Your Etsy Products (The Right Way)
Once your shop is claimed, you can start creating pins that link directly to your products. There are two primary methods for doing this effectively.
Method 1: Creating a Standard Pin with a Direct Link
This is the most common and powerful method, giving you full control over the imagery, title, and description.
    - First, decide which product you want to promote and grab the direct URL to that specific listing from Etsy (e.g., etsy.com/listing/12345/my-awesome-product).
     - Prepare your pin creative. Use high-quality, vertical images (a 2:3 aspect ratio, like 1000x1500 pixels, is ideal). Consider adding a text overlay with a clear, benefit-driven headline like "Handmade Ceramic Mugs" or "Customizable Name Puzzles." Visuals that show the product in a real-life context often perform very well.
     - On Pinterest, click the Create button in the top left and select Create Pin from the dropdown.
     - Upload your image or video file.
     - Add your Title: This is prime real estate for keywords. Instead of "Mug #5," try something more descriptive like "Cozy Handmade Ceramic Coffee Mug | Perfect Gift Idea."
     - Write your Description: Use a few sentences to describe the product. Who is it for? What makes it special? Weave in 2-3 additional relevant keywords naturally without stuffing.
     - Paste the Destination Link: This is the most important step. In the "Add a destination link" field, paste a specific Etsy product listing URL. Always double-check this link to make sure it works!
     - Choose a Board: Select your most relevant board from the dropdown menu in the top right. A specific board like "Handmade Pottery & Ceramics" is better than a generic board like "My Etsy Shop."
     - Click Publish.
 
Method 2: Creating an Idea Pin (with Product Tagging)
Idea Pins are a multi-page format (like stories) that can be more engaging. While they don't have a single clickable destination link themselves, you can tag specific products in them, which then create a direct shopping path.
    - Gather multiple images or short video clips showing off your product. This could be you making it, different angles, or a video of it in use.
     - On Pinterest, go to Create >, Create Idea Pin.
     - Upload your visuals. You can add text, music, and other effects on each page.
     - On the right side panel, look for stickers or tagging options. Find the "Product" sticker.
     - When you add the product sticker, you'll be prompted to paste a link. Paste your Etsy product URL here. Pinterest will pull in the product data and create a clickable product tag.
     - You can add product tags to specific pages within your Idea Pin. Viewers can tap the tag to see the product details and click to visit your Etsy shop.
 
Best Practices for Driving More Traffic to Etsy
Just pinning isn't enough. Follow these strategies to maximize your reach and conversions.
    - Pinterest Keyword Research: Before creating your pin, use the Pinterest search bar. Type in a general term for your product, like "wedding gift," and look at the bubbles of related keywords Pinterest suggests (e.g., "for couple," "personalized," "unique"). Use these exact phrases in your pin titles and descriptions.
     - Create Fresh Pins Consistently: "Fresh pins" simply mean new images that Pinterest's algorithm hasn't seen before. The platform prioritizes fresh content. Aim to create and schedule at least 1-3 new pin images per day. These new images can still point to your existing, older Etsy listings.
     - Make Multiple Pin Designs for One Listing: For your best-selling product, don't just make one pin. Make 5-10 different pin designs. Use different photos, video clips, headlines, and calls to action. This diversifies your chances of one of them taking off.
     - Organize with Relevant Boards: Create specific boards for each of your product categories (e.g., "Minimalist Jewelry," "Boho Home Decor," "Autumnal Art Prints"). Having focused boards helps both users and the Pinterest algorithm understand what your content is about.
 
Bonus Tip: Add Your Etsy Link to Your Pinterest Profile
This is a quick win that directs anyone curious about your brand straight to your shop.
    - From your Pinterest profile, click Edit profile.
     - In the "Website" field, paste the URL to your main Etsy shop homepage (yourshopname.etsy.com).
     - Save your changes. Now, your claimed website link will be clickable right from your profile banner.
 
Final Thoughts
Properly linking your Etsy shop to Pinterest is about creating a sustainable system that grows over time. By claiming your account, creating optimized pins with direct links, and consistently publishing fresh content, you build a powerful channel that brings interested, ready-to-buy customers to your digital doorstep.
As an Etsy seller, your time is one of your most valuable assets. Managing content creation and scheduling across Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, and more can feel like a full-time job in itself. That's why we built Postbase - to give you that time back. Our visual calendar lets you plan all your content in one organized place, while our reliable scheduling helps you post everywhere at once without the hassle. With our tool, you can spend less energy wrestling with apps and more focus on what matters most: creating the amazing products your customers love.
Spencer's spent a decade building products at companies like Buffer, UserTesting, and Bump Health. He's spent years in the weeds of social media management—scheduling posts, analyzing performance, coordinating teams. At Postbase, he's building tools to automate the busywork so you can focus on creating great content.