How to Increase Followers on Pinterest

Chances are, someone told you that growing your Pinterest account is a game of luck. It's not. Growing an engaged following on Pinterest has nothing to do with luck and everything to do with a smart, repeatable strategy rooted in understanding how the platform actually works. This guide will walk you through the exact, actionable steps you need to take to increase your followers, starting today.

Treat Pinterest Like a Search Engine, Not a Social Network

This is the single most important mindset shift you can make. People don't come to Pinterest to see what their friends are up to, they come to find ideas, solve problems, and plan purchases. They are actively searching for content. Your goal isn't just to be social - it's to be discoverable. That means mastering Pinterest SEO.

Optimize Your Profile for Discovery

Your profile is the first thing a potential follower sees, and it’s your first opportunity to tell both users and the Pinterest algorithm what you’re all about. Here’s how to fine-tune it:

• Business Account is a Must: If you're still on a personal account, switch to a business account immediately. It's free and unlocks access to crucial analytics, Rich Pins, and advertising features.
• Choose a Keyword-Rich Name: Don't just list your name or brand. Add a primary keyword that describes your niche. For example, instead of just "Jane Smith," use "Jane Smith | Healthy Vegan Recipes."
• Write a Strategic Bio: You have 160 characters to make an impact. Clearly state who you are, what you offer, and who you help. Weave in your most important keywords naturally so people searching for those terms can find your profile.
• Claim Your Website: Claiming your website links your Pinterest account directly to your site. This adds your logo to any Pins saved from your site and gives you access to web analytics, which is incredibly valuable for understanding what content resonates.

Use Keywords in Your Boards

Think of your boards as categories for your content library. They need to be specific and filled with keywords so Pinterest understands what kind of content each board holds.

• Create Niche Boards: Instead of a single, broad board called "Recipes," create hyper-specific boards like "30-Minute Vegan Dinners," "Gluten-Free Baking Ideas," and "Healthy Smoothie Recipes." This specificity helps you rank for more targeted search terms.
• Write Keyword-Rich Board Titles and Descriptions: Use clear, searchable titles for your boards. Then, use the description box to write a helpful sentence or two explaining what the board is about, including relevant keywords and synonyms. For a vegan dinners board, you might write: "Easy and delicious vegan dinner recipes perfect for quick weeknight meals. Find plant-based inspiration, healthy meal prep ideas, and simple cruelty-free dishes."

Craft Keyword-Heavy Pin Descriptions

Every single Pin you create is another chance to get discovered. The title and description are prime real estate for SEO.

• Focus on Helping, Not Selling: Write your description from the user's perspective. What problem does your content solve? What question does it answer?
• Structure Your Descriptions: The best Pin descriptions are 2-3 sentences long and read like natural, helpful advice. Start with a catchy, keyword-focused title (e.g., "10-Minute Vegan Pasta Salad Recipe"). Follow with a detailed description that naturally incorporates related long-tail keywords. For that pasta salad, you might add: "This delicious vegan pasta salad is perfect for an easy lunch idea or a healthy side dish for a summer BBQ. Made with simple plant-based ingredients..."

Create High-Quality, Compelling Pins

Once your SEO foundation is in place, you need to create Pins that people actually want to click on and save. On a visual platform, design is everything.

Follow Visual Best Practices

A "great" Pin isn't subjective, it follows a clear formula that works with the platform's layout and user expectations.

• Stick to a Vertical Aspect Ratio: Pinterest is a vertical scroll. Aim for a 2:3 aspect ratio (e.g., 1000 x 1500 pixels) for your Pins. They take up more screen space and perform significantly better than horizontal or square images.
• Use High-Quality Images and Videos: Grainy, low-resolution, or poorly lit images will sink your content. Use clear, bright, and engaging visuals that showcase your topic attractively.
• Add a Text Overlay: Don’t assume people will read your description. Your Pin image itself should have a bold, easy-to-read text overlay with a headline that explains what the Pin is about. Use colors and fonts that align with your brand but are also highly legible on a mobile screen.
• Subtly Add Your Branding: Include your logo or website URL on every Pin. This builds brand recognition and can discourage content theft. Keep it small and unobtrusive.

Experiment with Different Pin Formats

Pinterest offers several types of Pins. A good strategy uses a mix of them to keep things interesting and maximize reach.

• Standard Pins: The classic static image Pin. Great for blog posts, products, and simple concepts.
• Video Pins: Short videos (typically 15-60 seconds) draw the eye and can tell a much richer story. They’re perfect for tutorials, a look behind the scenes, or demonstrating a product in action.
• Idea Pins: These are Pinterest's take on the Stories format. They are multi-page video and image combinations that allow you to create step-by-step guides, lists, and tutorials directly on the platform. Pinterest heavily promotes Idea Pins, and they're excellent for gaining followers because your profile picture and a follow button are prominently displayed on them.

Pin Consistently and Strategically

The Pinterest algorithm loves fresh, consistent content. You don't need to pin 50 times a day, but you do need a reliable schedule to build momentum.

Prioritize Fresh Pins

A "fresh Pin" refers to a new image/video that has never appeared on Pinterest before. It can link to an old blog post or product page, but the creative itself must be new. The algorithm heavily favors fresh content over duplicate Pins you’ve already shared. Instead of re-pinning the same image of your blueberry muffin recipe every month, create 3-5 different Pin designs that all point to that same recipe page.

Aim to publish at least 1-3 new fresh Pins per day. This signals to Pinterest that you are an active and valuable creator.

Pin at the Right Times

Your content will perform best when your audience is most active. Check your Pinterest Analytics under the "Audience Insights" tab to see when your followers are browsing. Schedule your fresh Pins to go live during these peak windows to give them the best possible chance for initial engagement.

Pin to the Most Relevant Board First

When you publish a new Pin, always save it to the most specific, relevant board first. If you have a Pin about a "keto chocolate chip cookie recipe," save it to your "Keto Dessert Recipes" board before saving it to a broader board like "Healthy Baking." This gives Pinterest a strong, immediate signal about what your Pin is about, helping it categorize and distribute it to the right audience.

Engage with the Pinterest Community

Remember that "being discoverable" still involves a social component. Engaging with other users and content signals to Pinterest that you're an active participant in your niche.

Follow and Interact with Others

Actively follow other creators, brands, and influencers in your niche. Leave thoughtful comments on their Pins when they resonate with you. This not only builds goodwill but also helps Pinterest associate your profile with that community, which can expose your content to their followers.

Participate in Group Boards

Group boards are collaborative boards where multiple creators can contribute Pins. While their influence has waned slightly in recent years, joining a few high-quality, on-topic group boards can still give your content an exposure boost to a new, relevant audience. Look for boards with a clear focus, active contributors, and strong engagement.

Leverage Your Existing Platforms

Don't just wait for people to find you on Pinterest. Tell the world you're there!

• Promote Your Profile Everywhere: Add your Pinterest profile link to your email signature and your "link in bio" on other social media accounts like Instagram and TikTok.
• Cross-Promote Your Content: When you publish a new blog post, send an email to your subscribers and invite them to "save it for later" on Pinterest, with a direct link to your Pin.
• Install a "Follow" Button on Your Website: Use a plugin or simple code to add a Pinterest "Follow" button to your website's sidebar or footer. This captures visitors who already love your content and converts them into followers.

Final Thoughts

Growing your Pinterest following boils down to a clear, consistent strategy. By treating the platform like a search engine, creating high-quality, value-driven content, and engaging with the community, you build a powerful flywheel that attracts new followers organically and a system that will have new followers on autopilot.

The key is consistency, and frankly, logging in every day to manually post fresh Pins can be a drain. To maintain momentum without burning out, we designed Postbase with a clean, visual content calendar that lets you plan and schedule all of your social content in one place. You can create multiple unique Pin designs for a single URL and schedule them to publish consistently across your best boards - alongside your content for Instagram, TikTok, and more - saving you hours while keeping your profile full of fresh content.