How to Join an Affiliate Program on Pinterest

Turning your Pinterest account into a source of income is more achievable than you might think, and affiliate marketing is one of the most direct ways to get there. It’s all about authentically sharing products you love and earning a commission when your audience makes a purchase. This guide will walk you through exactly how to set up, find the right programs, and create Pins that connect with your audience and lead to conversions.

What Exactly is Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest?

At its core, affiliate marketing is a simple exchange. Brands give you a unique, trackable link to their products or services. You share that link with your audience. When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, the brand pays you a commission as a thank you for sending a customer their way.

Pinterest is an ideal platform for this because it functions less like a social network and more like a visual discovery engine. Users aren’t just scrolling to see updates from friends, they're actively searching for inspiration, new ideas, and products. They come to Pinterest with an intent to discover and often to buy - whether they’re planning a wedding, renovating a kitchen, or finding the perfect running shoes. By placing relevant, helpful product recommendations in their path, you're not just selling, you're adding value to their discovery process.

The key to doing it successfully is authenticity. This isn’t about spamming links. It’s about building trust by curating and recommending products that genuinely align with your brand and your audience’s interests.

First Things First: Setting Up Your Pinterest Account for Success

Before you can start sharing affiliate links, you need to lay the proper groundwork. A professional-looking and properly configured account signals to Pinterest, brands, and users that you’re serious about providing quality content.

1. Switch to a Business Account

If you’re still using a personal Pinterest profile, your first step is to switch to a free Business account. This unlocks a suite of features that are essential for affiliate marketing, including:

• Pinterest Analytics: You’ll get detailed insights into which of your Pins are performing best, what your audience is interested in, and who is seeing your content. This data is invaluable for refining your strategy.
• Rich Pins: These are enhanced Pins that automatically sync information from your website, providing more context for users.
• Ability to Run Ads: While not necessary for affiliate marketing, having the option to promote your best-performing Pins can be a powerful tool for growth down the line.

Making the switch is easy and can be done right from your account settings.

2. Claim Your Website or Blog

Claiming your website with Pinterest establishes you as a verified creator. It adds your profile picture and a “Follow” button to any Pins that originate from your site, building brand recognition and trust. More importantly, it shows affiliate networks that you have an established online presence, which is often a prerequisite for being accepted into their programs.

3. Optimize Your Profile

Your Pinterest profile is your digital storefront. Make it clear and appealing:

• Profile Photo: Use a clear, high-quality headshot or a clean brand logo.
• Bio: In a sentence or two, explain who you are and what kind of value you provide. Weave in keywords that are relevant to your niche (e.g., "DIY home decor guides," "sustainable fashion tips," "meal planning for busy families").
• Boards: Organize your content into clearly named boards that reflect your audience’s interests. Use keywords in your board titles and descriptions to improve discoverability. For example, instead of a board named "Favs," name it "Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Ideas."

Pinterest's Rules of the Road for Affiliate Marketing

Pinterest is welcoming to affiliates, but they have rules in place to protect the user experience. Ignoring these can get your account flagged or even suspended, so pay close attention.

The Golden Rule: Disclosure is a Must

This is non-negotiable. Both Pinterest’s policies and FTC guidelines require you to clearly disclose when you're using an affiliate link. Hiding your affiliation is dishonest and will break the trust of your audience. Keep your disclosures clear and simple.

You can do this by adding a hashtag like #ad, #affiliate, #sponsored, or #affiliatelink directly into your Pin’s description. Some creators prefer to use a short phrase like, "This post contains affiliate links," at the start of the description.

Avoid Link Cloaking

Link cloaking services (like bit.ly or other URL shorteners) that hide the final destination of a link can be seen as spammy by Pinterest’s algorithm. They want to see where a link is directing users. In most cases, it’s best to use the full, untrimmed affiliate link provided by the brand or network. It might look long, but it’s more transparent and less likely to be blocked.

Give Value, Don't Spam

Your Pinterest account should be a resource, not a billboard. If your profile is nothing but a stream of affiliate links, you’re not providing value to your followers. Pinterest’s algorithm prioritizes helpful, engaging content. A good rule of thumb is the 80/20 principle: 80% of your content should be valuable and non-promotional (your own blog posts, tutorials, inspirational content), while up to 20% can be affiliate-focused Pins.

How to Find and Join Affiliate Programs

Now for the fun part: finding brands to partner with. There are thousands of programs out there, ranging from massive CPG brands to small, independent creators.

Option 1: Join Affiliate Networks

Affiliate networks are mediators that connect creators (like you) with thousands of brands looking for promotion. You create one account on the network and can then apply to individual affiliate programs for brands you want to work with. Some of the most popular networks for Pinterest-friendly niches are:

• ShareASale: Known for its vast selection of merchants in categories like fashion, home goods, and business software. It’s one of the most creator-friendly platforms to start with.
• Rakuten Advertising: A massive network that works with many well-known, large retailers across various domains.
• CJ (formerly Commission Junction): Another industry giant with a wide portfolio of brands, making it easy to find partners in almost any niche.

Option 2: Apply to Direct-to-Brand Programs

Many companies prefer to manage their own affiliate programs in-house. Big names like Amazon (Amazon Associates), Target, and Etsy all run their own popular programs. If there’s a specific brand you love and use often, visit their website and scroll down to the footer. You’ll often find a link labeled “Affiliates,” “Partners,” or “Referral Program.”

To find more, simply search Google for "[Brand Name] affiliate program."

How to Choose the Right Programs for You

Don’t just apply to every program you see. Be selective to maintain authenticity.

• Stay within your niche. If you post about vegan recipes, promoting a leather handbag is going to confuse your audience. Stick to products you genuinely would use and that fit your brand.
• Check the commission rates and cookie duration. Commission rates can vary from 1% to over 50%. The cookie duration is the period after someone clicks your link during which you can still earn a commission on their purchase - 30 days is standard, but some are longer or shorter.
• Read the Terms of Service. Before you apply, double-check that the program allows promotion on Pinterest. Some programs have restrictions on social media promotion, and it’s important to respect those rules.

Creating Affiliate Pins That Actually Convert

Simply dropping a link isn’t enough. Your Pins need to stop the scroll, provide value, and encourage a click.

Think Like a User, Not a Salesperson

People on Pinterest are searching for solutions. Your content should be the answer. Instead of a Pin that just shows a product with the text "Buy This Now," create a Pin that solves a problem.

For example, instead of “The Best Planner,” try “How I Finally Organized My Chaotic Schedule With This Weekly Planner.” You’re highlighting a benefit and showing the product in the context of a solution.

High-Quality Visuals are Non-Negotiable

Pinterest is a visual platform. Use crisp, bright, well-composed images and videos. The platform favors a vertical aspect ratio (2:3 is ideal), so format your creative accordingly. Use tools like Canva or Adobe Express to create beautiful Pin graphics, add text overlays, and even simple video Pins that demonstrate a product in use.

Write Keyword-Rich Descriptions

Your Pin’s description is your chance to tell both users and the Pinterest algorithm what your Pin is about. Here’s how to make it effective:

• Use Keywords Naturally: Think about what a user would type into the search bar to find your Pin. If your Pin is about a sustainable yoga mat, include terms like “eco-friendly yoga mat,” “non-toxic yoga equipment,” and “beginner yoga essentials.”
• Keep it Helpful: Briefly describe the benefit of the product. Ask a question to spark curiosity.
• ALWAYS Include Your Disclosure: Never forget to add #ad or #affiliate to your description!

Final Thoughts

Succeeding with affiliate marketing on Pinterest comes down to patience, consistency, and a genuine desire to provide value. By setting up your account correctly, choosing partners that align with your brand, creating helpful content, and always being transparent with your audience, you can build a reliable stream of income from a platform designed for discovery.

Juggling all this Pinterest content along with your other social channels can feel like a lot. That's why we built our platform to be a simple, central hub for all your efforts. With Postbase, you can visually plan and schedule all your Pins - and all your short-form video for Reels, Shorts, and TikToks - from one clean calendar. We help you stay consistent and organized, so you can focus more on creating content that connects with your audience and less on the scheduling grind.