How to Get Outbound Clicks on Pinterest

Pinterest is often praised for inspiration, but its real power for your brand lies in turning those viewers into website visitors. Anyone can post beautiful images, but getting users to actually leave the platform and land on your blog, shop, or services page is an entirely different skill. This guide breaks down the exact strategies you need to use to transform your Pinterest presence from a digital mood board into a consistent traffic-driving machine.

Start by Thinking Like a Search Engine, Not a Social Network

The single biggest mistake marketers make on Pinterest is treating it like Instagram or Facebook. Pinterest is a visual discovery engine. Users aren't there to catch up with friends, they're actively searching for ideas, solutions, and products. They are planning future purchases, looking for dinner recipes, or finding DIY project instructions. This is a massive advantage for you.

Every search has intent. Someone typing “how to organize a small kitchen” is primed for a solution. When your Pin titled “10 Genius Small Kitchen Organization Hacks You Must Try” shows up, they aren’t just scrolling - they’re looking for an answer. The click-through to your blog post isn’t an interruption, it’s the exact next step they want to take. Shifting your mindset from “posting an update” to “answering a search query” is the foundation for getting outbound clicks.

Optimize Your Foundation: Profile and Boards

Before you even think about individual Pins, your profile needs to be a trustworthy and clear destination for potential clickers. An incomplete or confusing profile can feel spammy and deter users from trusting your links.

• Verified Domain: The first non-negotiable step is to claim your website with Pinterest. This unlocks access to website analytics and adds a verified globe icon to your profile, building immediate credibility. It signals to both Pinterest and users that you are a legitimate brand.
• Keyword-Optimized Bio: Your bio shouldn't just say what you do, it should include terms your ideal audience is searching for. If you’re a food blogger specializing in gluten-free baking, your bio should include phrases like “gluten-free recipes,” “easy GF baking,” and “celiac-friendly treats.” And, of course, include a direct link to a relevant page on your site, like your homepage or recipe index.
• Strategic Board Names and Descriptions: Vague board names like “Yummy” or “Cool Stuff” do you no favors. Use descriptive, searchable names like “Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes” or “Modern Farmhouse Decor Ideas.” Each board also has a description field - use it! Fill it with a few sentences explaining the board's purpose, packed with relevant keywords. This helps the Pinterest algorithm understand your content and show it to the right people.

The Anatomy of a High-Click-Through Pin

A Pin that drives traffic is designed with a clear purpose: to get the click. It goes beyond aesthetics and integrates specific elements that convince a user to take action. Here’s how to build one.

1. Design for the Platform: Vertical Visuals

Pinterest is a mobile-first platform, and its feed favors vertical assets. Stick to a 2:3 aspect ratio, with 1000 x 1500 pixels being the go-to size. Your visuals should be high-quality, clear, and attention-grabbing. Low-resolution or poorly composed images will get scrolled past instantly. Whether you're using a static image, a carousel, or a video, make sure it fills the vertical screen space and looks professional.

2. Use Text Overlays to Spark Curiosity

Your visual might get someone to slow their scroll, but a compelling text overlay tells them why they should click. This is arguably the most important element for driving traffic. The text on your Pin should function like a headline for a blog post.

• Be Solution-Oriented: Address a pain point. “How to Finally Organize Your Pantry” is more effective than “Pantry Organization.”
• Create Intrigue: Use listicles and intriguing titles. For example, “5 Decorating Mistakes That Make Your Home Look Cheap” will get more clicks than “Home Decorating Tips.”
• Include a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Literally tell the user what to do. Simple phrases like “Shop the Look,” “Get the Free Guide,” “Read the Full Recipe,” or “Learn How” directly guide their next action.

3. Write Detailed, Keyword-Rich Descriptions

The Pin’s description serves two audiences: the user and the Pinterest algorithm. Your description should read naturally while strategically including the keywords you want to rank for. Before hitting publish, ask yourself these questions:

• What is this Pin about? Briefly summarize the content they will find after clicking.
• Who is it for? Speak directly to your audience (e.g., “Perfect for beginner bakers...”).
• What action should they take? End with a call-to-action that encourages them to click the link to read more, grab a recipe, or shop a product.

Don't just stuff keywords. Write 2-3 engaging sentences that give context and value, naturally weaving in your target phrases.

4. Always Double-Check Your Link Destination

This seems basic, but it’s amazing how often it gets missed. Every single Standard Pin or Video Pin you create is an opportunity to send someone to your website. Double-check that your destination URL is correct and leads to a relevant page. A Pin about “10-Minute Vegan Dinners” should link directly to that blog post, not your homepage or an unrelated product page. A broken link or a misdirected user is a lost traffic opportunity and a frustrating user experience.

5. Brand Your Pins for Recognition and Trust

Consistency builds trust. When a user sees your Pins repeatedly, they start to recognize your visual style. Use consistent fonts, colors, and a small, unobtrusive logo on all your designs. When a pinner recognizes your brand as a source of valuable information (because your content is consistently good), they are far more likely to click on your Pins in the future without hesitation. Branding establishes you as an authority in your niche.

Choosing the Right Pin Format for Clicks

Pinterest offers different formats, and understanding how each one drives traffic is helpful for building a well-rounded strategy.

Standard Pins

This is your workhorse. A single static image with a destination URL is the most direct and traditional way to get outbound clicks. Use them to point to blog posts, product pages, landing pages, and lead magnets. For any piece of content on your website that you want to promote, you should create multiple unique Standard Pins for it over time.

Video Pins

Video is fantastic at grabbing attention in a busy feed. A quick video demonstrating a recipe, showing a product in use, or teasing a DIY project can be incredibly effective. While viewers watch, Pinterest will surface your link for them to click. The CTA is what matters here: make sure your video ends with a clear prompt to “Click the link to get the full instructions!” or something similar.

Idea Pins (and Their Link Stickers)

For a long time, Idea Pins were terrible for outbound traffic because they were designed to keep users on the platform. However, Pinterest has now added “link stickers,” which are a game-changer. An Idea Pin can tell a mini-story or give a summarized tutorial across multiple slides. On the final slide, you can place a link sticker that sends users to a relevant URL. This is a powerful way to provide upfront value and then direct highly-motivated users to your website for the full details, a printable version, or a product they just saw in action.

Use Rich Pins to Add Context and Legitimacy

Rich Pins are a more advanced Pin format that automatically syncs information from your website to your Pins. They add extra context and professionalism, which can significantly boost click-through rates. There are three main types:

• Article Pins: Pull the headline, author, and description from your blog post.
• Product Pins: Display real-time pricing, availability, and product information.
• Recipe Pins: Show ingredients, cooking times, and serving sizes directly on the Pin.

These details make your Pin more useful at a glance and give users more confidence to click. Setting up Rich Pins involves adding a piece of metadata to your website and then validating it with Pinterest - it's a one-time setup that pays dividends with every Pin you create.

Create a Consistent Pinning Schedule

Getting traffic from Pinterest isn't about creating one viral Pin, it's about building a consistent presence that the algorithm can trust. The algorithm favors fresh, new content. This doesn't mean you need an endless supply of brand-new blog posts. "Fresh" content simply means a new Pin image that hasn't appeared on the platform before, even if it links to an old but still-relevant piece of content.

Aim to publish at least one to three new Pins per day. This consistency signals to Pinterest that you’re an active creator providing ongoing value. Use Pinterest Trends to see what topics are currently popular and plan your content around seasonal events and user interests to maximize your reach and potential clicks.

Final Thoughts

Getting genuine outbound clicks from Pinterest is all about combining a strategic mindset with value-driven content. By treating it as a search engine, optimizing every element for click-throughs, and consistently publishing helpful Pins, you can turn Pinterest into one of your most reliable sources of website traffic.

Of course, keeping that content engine running across Pinterest and all your other social platforms can quickly become overwhelming. At Postbase, we built our platform to feel like a sigh of relief for busy creators and marketers. Our visual calendar lets you plan all of your Pins and other social content in one place, while our straightforward scheduling tools help you stay consistent without the headache. It's designed for modern content formats, helping you manage your entire strategy from one clean, reliable dashboard.