How to Promote Instagram on Pinterest

Using Pinterest to grow your Instagram account is one of the smartest, most underrated strategies available to creators and brands. Think of Pinterest as a long-term traffic engine that sends a steady stream of your ideal followers directly to your Instagram profile. This article will give you the practical, step-by-step strategies you need to effectively promote your Instagram on Pinterest and build a sustainable source of audience growth.

Why Pinterest is a Game-Changer for Instagram Growth

Unlike other social platforms where content has a lifespan of a few hours, Pinterest is a visual search engine. Your content (called Pins) can be discovered and drive traffic for months, or even years, after you post it. People come to Pinterest actively searching for ideas, inspiration, and solutions - making them highly motivated to click through and discover more.

Here's the powerful synergy:

• Intent: Users on Instagram are often passively scrolling. Users on Pinterest are actively searching, making them more likely to take an action, like clicking a link to your Instagram profile.
• Longevity: An Instagram Reel or Story might get a burst of engagement for 24-48 hours. A well-optimized Pin can continue sending new people to your Instagram for a year or more, creating a compound effect over time.
• Traffic Source: Pinterest is fundamentally designed to send users off the platform to the source of the idea. It's built for discovery, while Instagram is built for in-app engagement. Your goal is to make your Instagram the best possible destination for that traffic.

Step 1: Get Your Pinterest Profile "Instagram Ready"

Before you start creating Pins, you need to turn your Pinterest profile into an effective funnel to your Instagram. These foundational steps tell Pinterest and its users where to find you and what you're about.

Claim Your Instagram Account

First things first, officially link your Instagram account to Pinterest. This gives you access to more analytics and adds your profile picture to any Pins that come from your Instagram. It's a stamp of authenticity.

1. Log into your Pinterest business account.
2. Go to Settings > Claimed accounts.
3. Click Claim next to Instagram and follow the on-screen prompts.

That's it. This simple step validates the connection between your two platforms in Pinterest's eyes.

Optimize Your Pinterest Bio

Your bio is prime real estate. Don't waste it. You need to make it abundantly clear that your Instagram is the place to be for more content. Include your Instagram handle directly (e.g., @yourhandle) and add a compelling call-to-action (CTA).

Examples:

• "Daily home decor tips &, tutorials. Come say hi on Instagram! @casacreative"
• "Helping you bake better bread, one recipe at a time. Follow my baking adventures on Instagram @bakerben"
• "Your source for sustainable fashion finds. See my latest hauls over on IG! @eco.styles"

The goal is to give profile visitors a reason to take that next step and find you on Instagram.

Step 2: Create Pins Designed to Funnel Traffic

Simply saving your Instagram posts to a Pinterest board won't work. You need to create Pins specifically designed to capture attention on Pinterest and entice users to click through to your Instagram feed.

Turn Your Instagram Content into Pin-Worthy Graphics

The best strategy is to repurpose your existing Instagram content. Take your best-performing Reels, carousels, and photos and reformat them for Pinterest. Remember, you're not just re-posting, you're creating an advertisement for your Instagram content.

• Video Pins: These are your secret weapon. Take a 15-30 second, high-impact clip from an Instagram Reel. Add a bold text overlay with a hook and a CTA like "Watch the full tutorial on Instagram!" or "New Reel is live! Tap to watch." Video Pins auto-play in the feed and are fantastic for grabbing attention.
• Static Image Pins: Take your best photos or create simple graphics. Always use a vertical 2:3 aspect ratio (e.g., 1000 x 1500 pixels). You can create collages of your carousel posts or add a headline to a single stunning image.
• Idea Pins: While Idea Pins don't have direct links, you can use them strategically. Create a multi-page story that provides value - like a mini-tutorial or a quick list of tips. On the very last slide, add a strong visual CTA: "For more daily tips, follow me on Instagram @yourhandle." You can also tag your products or use affiliate links in Idea Pins to monetize them.

Key Elements of a High-Converting Pin

No matter the format, every Pin needs these ingredients to successfully drive traffic back to Instagram:

1. Vertical Format: This is non-negotiable. Vertical Pins take up more screen real estate and perform significantly better than horizontal or square Pins. Stick to a 2:3 ratio.
2. Bold Text Overlay: Your visual might be what stops the scroll, but your headline is what earns the click. Use a clear, easy-to-read font. The text should create curiosity or state a clear benefit. Examples: "5 Common Houseplant Mistakes," "My Secret to Crispy Tofu," "Easy Outfit Idea for Spring."
3. A Clear Call-To-Action (CTA): You have to tell people what to do next. Be direct! Add text like "Click to Read More," "Tap to See the Full Look," or "Get the Details on Instagram."
4. Subtle Branding: Add your logo or Instagram handle somewhere on a corner of the Pin. This builds brand recognition as users see your content more frequently.

Step 3: Master the Art of Pinning for Traffic

Now that you have your beautifully designed, click-worthy Pins, you need to publish them correctly. This involves linking them to the right place and writing descriptions that help them get found in search.

Pinning with a Direct Link to Instagram

This is your bread and butter. The entire goal is to get people to your Instagram, so you need to point the Pin there.

1. From your computer, click Create > Create Pin.
2. Upload your designed Pin image or video.
3. This is the most important part: In the "Add a destination link" field, paste the URL to a specific Instagram post, Reel, or directly to your Instagram profile (e.g., https://www.instagram.com/yourhandle).
4. Write a keyword-rich title. Think about what a user would type into the Pinterest search bar to find your content.
5. Write a helpful, keyword-rich description. Describe what the Pin is about and what they will find when they click. Naturally include your Instagram handle here as well.
6. Add up to 5 relevant hashtags.
7. Choose the most relevant Board to save it to.
8. Click Publish.

Writing SEO-Driven Titles and Descriptions

Always remember: Pinterest is a search engine. Writing good copy is just as important as the visual itself. Before writing your description, quickly search for your main topic on Pinterest. See what other Pins are ranking and what words and phrases they use. Incorporate those keywords naturally into your title and description.

Poor Description: "Loving this look!"

Good Description: "Looking for a casual spring outfit idea? Here's how to style a simple white t-shirt and jeans with a trench coat. This is a perfect, easy look for brunch or running errands. For more daily style tips and outfit inspo, follow me on Instagram at @stylebyjane! #springfashion #outfitideas #casualstyle"

Advanced Strategy: Create an Off-Instagram "Bridge"

While sending traffic directly to Instagram is great, an even more powerful strategy for dedicated brand builders is using a "bridge page." Instead of linking a Pin to your Instagram, you link it to a simple page (like one on a Linktree or a dedicated landing page) that features:

1. An irresistible freebie related to your niche (e.g., "Download Your Free Weekly Meal Planner").
2. An email opt-in form to get the freebie.
3. Right below that, a large, can't-miss button that says "Follow me on Instagram for daily recipes!"

Instead of just getting an Instagram follower, you also get an email subscriber - a much more valuable asset in the long run. The user gets valuable content, and you get two new ways to connect with them.

Be Consistent and Patient

Promoting your Instagram on Pinterest is a marathon, not a sprint. The magic of Pinterest comes from consistency. Aim to create and schedule 3-5 new, fresh Pins every day. Don't just post an image once, create 5-7 different Pin graphics for each piece of content you really want to promote. Test different headlines, images, and descriptions.

Pinterest rewards patience. It may take a couple of months for your strategy to gain traction, but once it does, you'll have an evergreen traffic machine sending new, engaged followers your way 24/7 - long after you've forgotten about the Pins you created.

Final Thoughts

Using Pinterest as a top-of-funnel traffic driver is an incredibly effective and sustainable way to grow an engaged Instagram following. By optimizing your profile, creating click-worthy Pins with direct calls-to-action, and applying basic SEO principles, you can transform Pinterest from a mood board into your most powerful marketing partner.

We know that adding another platform to your content strategy can feel like a lot to manage. Staying consistent with both Instagram and Pinterest requires solid planning, which is exactly why we built Postbase. You can use our visual calendar to plan out your content, then schedule your posts for both platforms at once. Instead of bouncing between apps and struggling to keep track of what's going where, you can have a clear, simple workflow that frees you up to focus on creating amazing content that grows your brand.