How to Add Photos to Pinterest

Ready to get your photos onto Pinterest and in front of millions of people looking for inspiration? Adding an image is the first step, but creating a Pin that actually drives traffic and grows your brand involves a little more. This guide breaks down exactly how to add photos from your computer, phone, or website, and covers the essential strategies for creating Pins that people want to save and click.

Why Your Photos Belong on Pinterest

First, let’s get one thing straight: Pinterest isn’t just another social media app where posts disappear in a few hours. It’s a visual discovery engine. Users come here to find ideas, plan projects, and make purchasing decisions. From finding the perfect entryway decor to planning a week’s worth of meals, they are actively searching for solutions and inspiration - and your photos can be the answer.

Unlike an Instagram post that has a lifespan of about 48 hours, a Pin can continue to drive traffic to your website for months, even years. Every photo you add is an opportunity to connect with a new audience, establish your expertise, and build a library of visual content that works for you around the clock.

The Anatomy of a Perfect Pinterest Pin

Before you upload your first photo, it helps to know what makes a Pin successful. It's not about just dropping a picture and hoping for the best. The most effective Pins almost always share a few common traits that you can easily replicate.

It All Starts with a Vertical Image

This is the golden rule of Pinterest. The platform is designed for vertical scrolling on mobile phones, so vertical images take up more screen real estate and grab more attention. While square or horizontal photos can be pinned, they get lost in the feed. Aim for a 2:3 aspect ratio, which translates to a pixel size like 1000 x 1500 pixels. This format gives you the best chance of standing out.

Use High-Quality, Compelling Photos

Pinterest is a visual platform, so shabby, blurry, or low-resolution images won't cut it. Your photos need to be sharp, well-lit, and eye-catching. Whether it's a product shot, a photo of a finished DIY project, or a lifestyle image, clarity matters. People are drawn to beautiful, clear imagery that inspires them to learn more.

Add Context with a Text Overlay

Your beautiful photo might pique someone's interest, but a text overlay tells them exactly what they’ll get when they click. A clear, easy-to-read headline can be the difference between a casual scroll-by and a click. Use bold fonts and contrasting colors to make the text pop. A title like "5 Simple Organization Hacks for Small Kitchens" on a photo of a clean countertop is far more effective than the photo alone.

Include a Strong Title and Description

Your Pin’s title and description are your biggest SEO opportunities. Think like a user: what words would you type into the search bar to find this content? Your title should be a direct, keyword-rich headline. The description is your chance to expand on that. Use several related keywords and natural language to explain what the Pin is about and why someone should care. Tell a story, offer a tip, or ask a question to encourage engagement.

Don't Forget the Destination Link

Every Pin should lead somewhere. A Pin without a destination link is a missed opportunity. Make sure you add the URL to the relevant blog post, product page, or landing page on your website. This is how Pinterest drives traffic and transforms passive viewers into active visitors and potential customers.

Choose a Relevant Board

Boards are how you organize your content on Pinterest. Think of them as topic-specific folders. Saving your Pin to a highly relevant, keyword-optimized board helps Pinterest’s algorithm understand what your content is about and show it to the right people. A photo of a chocolate-chip cookie recipe should go on a board named “Dessert Recipes,” not a generic board called “My Pins.”

How to Add Photos to Pinterest: 3 Simple Methods

Now that you know what goes into a great Pin, let's get to the practical steps. Here are the three main ways to get your photos uploaded.

1. Adding a Photo from Your Computer (Creating a Pin Natively)

This is the most direct way to upload a photo and gives you complete control over every element of your Pin's design and optimization.

1. Log In and Start Creating: Log in to your Pinterest account. In the top-left corner, click the "Create" dropdown menu and select "Create Pin."
2. Upload Your Image: You'll see a large upload area. You can either drag and drop your photo file directly into this box or click on it to open a file browser and select the image from your computer.
3. Craft Your Title: Write a clear, compelling title of up to 100 characters. Make sure it includes your primary keyword. For example, "Easy DIY Farmhouse Coffee Table Plan."
4. Write a Killer Description: In the description box, write a paragraph or two (up to 500 characters) that explains what the Pin is about. Use natural language but include several relevant keywords. Describe the solution, benefit, or inspiration someone will find when they click.
5. Add Alt Text: Alt text is important for both accessibility (for screen readers) and SEO. Briefly describe what’s in the image. It can be similar to your title.
6. Add Your Destination Link: Copy and paste the URL where you want to send traffic. Double-check to make sure it's the correct link!
7. Choose a Board: At the top-right, you'll see a dropdown menu that says "Publish." Click it and choose the most relevant board from your list to save the Pin to.
8. Publish or Schedule: You can either hit the red "Publish" button to post it immediately or choose "Publish at a later date" to schedule it for an optimal time.

2. Adding a Photo from Your Phone (Using the Mobile App)

Perfect for when inspiration strikes on the go or if you do most of your content creation from your phone.

1. Open the App: Open the Pinterest app on your phone and tap the "+" icon at the bottom center of your screen.
2. Select "Pin": From the menu that appears, choose "Pin" to create a new Pin from a photo on your device.
3. Choose Your Photo: Your phone’s camera roll will open. Select the photo you want to upload. You can select multiple photos to create a carousel Pin.
4. Fill In the Details: Tap "Next." You will then see fields for the Title, Description, Link, and Alt Text. Fill these out just as you would on the desktop, optimizing them with relevant keywords.
5. Select Your Board: Tap "Choose a Board" and pick the best one for your Pin.
6. Save It: Tap the red "Save" button to publish it to your chosen board.

3. Adding a Photo from a Website (Using the Browser Extension)

The Pinterest Browser Button ("Save" button) is a fantastic tool for quickly saving content from your own site or other websites you love.

1. Install the Extension: First, you’ll need to add the Pinterest browser extension to your browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.). Just search "Pinterest Save Button" in your browser's extension store.
2. Navigate to a Webpage: Go to the blog post, product page, or any other webpage that has an image you want to Pin.
3. Click the Save Button: Click the red Pinterest icon in your browser's toolbar. A new window will pop up, showing all the pinnable images from that page.
4. Select an Image: Choose the image you want to save. Always pick the best vertical image available.
5. Optimize the Details: Pinterest will often pre-fill the description from the page's metadata, but always check and edit it. Rewrite the description to be keyword-rich and engaging for a Pinterest audience. Create a fresh, benefit-driven message.
6. Choose a Board and Save: Select a board from the dropdown menu and click "Save." Your Pin is now live!

Beyond the Upload: Tips for Maximizing Your Reach

Uploading is easy. Getting results takes a little more strategy.

Turn on Rich Pins

Rich Pins are supercharged Pins that automatically sync information from your website to your Pins. There are four types: Product, Article, App, and Recipe. For example, Article Pins add the headline and author, while Product Pins include real-time pricing and availability. They provide more context, look more professional, and can improve your click-through rates.

Create Multiple Pin Graphics for the Same Link

Don't just Pin an image once and call it a day. Create three to five different vertical Pin graphics for the same blog post or product. Use different photos, headlines, and color schemes. This lets you A/B test what resonates with your audience and gives you multiple chances for your content to gain traction, all while sending traffic to the same destination.

Use the Search Bar for Keyword Ideas

Stuck on what keywords to use? Type a general topic into the Pinterest search bar and look at the bubbles that appear with suggested search terms. These are the exact phrases real users are searching for. Incorporate these into your Titles, Descriptions, and Board names to align your content with user demand.

Final Thoughts

Adding your photos to Pinterest is simple once you know the steps, but turning those photos into powerful traffic drivers comes from optimizing each part of the Pin. Focus on creating high-quality, vertical images with clear text overlays, writing keyword-rich titles and descriptions, and consistently adding fresh content for your audience to discover.

Staying consistent on Pinterest - and keeping up with all your other platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which demand entirely different video formats - is often the biggest challenge. That’s exactly why we created Postbase. We wanted to build a simple, modern social media management tool for today's reality. From our visual calendar, you can plan and schedule all your content marketing - including video for Reels and Shorts - across every platform, all from one place. We designed it so you can get a bird's-eye view of your strategy without drowning in spreadsheets, letting you focus on creating great content that connects with your audience.