Pinterest is so much more than a place to go to find recipes—it’s a powerful visual search engine. AND we know that just like Google, search engines run on a little something called keywords. If you’re using Pinterest to market your business, keywords are your golden ticket to make sure your content reaches the right audience.

But where do you find these all-important keywords?!

Luckily, Pinterest has plenty of native tools to help you discover what people are searching for and how to use those terms to drive traffic to your website. In this post, I’ll show you a few key ways to find relevant Pinterest keywords for your business. Whether you’re a Pinterest newbie or an experienced pinner, these tips will help you optimize your strategy and grow your reach. Let’s dive in!

1. The Pinterest Search Bar

The easiest place to start when hunting for keywords is the Pinterest search bar. It’s right at the top of the page and gives you a direct insight into what Pinterest users are actively searching for.

Here’s how to use it:

Start by typing a word related to your niche into the search bar. In my example below, I typed “fall”. As you type, Pinterest will automatically suggest related terms.
Take note of these suggestions—they’re popular search terms that you can incorporate into your pin descriptions, board titles, or even your profile.

Pinterest dropdown menu suggesting long tail keywords — Fall ***outfits***, fall ***nail* *designs***, fall ***aesthetic***…they’re all keywords!

Try typing in variations of your keywords to see different suggestions. For example, if you’re a wedding planner, you might search for “wedding ideas,” “wedding inspiration,” or “wedding planning tips.”

These keyword suggestions are a great way to figure out with Pinterest users are looking for and adjust your strategy accordingly.

2. Keyword Bubbles

Once you’ve entered a search term in the Pinterest search bar, you’ll likely notice a series of “keyword bubbles” appearing underneath. These colorful bubbles suggest more specific or related topics based on your initial search.

For example, if you searched for “fall outfits,” the bubbles might suggest related terms like “footwear,” “occasion” or “accessories.” Clicking on these bubbles will lead you to even more specific searches. These terms can be invaluable for finding long-tail keywords—phrases that are more specific and less competitive, but still valuable for reaching your ideal audience.

Some keyword bubbles now give you a dropdown menu for even *more* long-tail keywords!

Keyword bubbles help you refine your strategy and drill down into niche topics that align with your audience’s interests. They also provide inspiration for new content ideas that can keep your Pinterest boards relevant and engaging.

3. Pinterest Trends

Pinterest Trends is a fantastic tool that shows what’s currently popular across the platform. It’s especially useful if you’re looking for seasonal or timely content ideas.

To access Pinterest Trends, visit trends.pinterest.com and explore the trending keywords in different categories.

You can search by monthly, yearly, growing, or seasonal trends. Everything fall is trending in this October snapshot.

Use this tool to find time-sensitive keywords to incorporate into your pins. For example, if you're a food blogger, you might notice that “holiday recipes” spike in searches in November and December. This helps you plan seasonal content well in advance.

By staying up-to-date with Pinterest Trends, you can tap into the latest trending topics and ensure your content is relevant to what people are searching for right now.

Want to learn more about Pinterest Trends? Check out this post!

4. Look at Your Competitors

A little competitor research can go a long way in finding great keywords. Look at what other businesses in your niche are doing on Pinterest. Check out their boards, pins, and descriptions. Which keywords are they using consistently?

Pay attention to the topics they cover and how they structure their pin titles and descriptions. You can even use Pinterest’s search bar to find their pins by typing in keywords you think they might be using.

While you definitely don’t want to copy them, this research can give you inspiration and ideas for keywords you might not have thought of yet. It also helps you identify gaps in your competitors’ strategies—areas where you could offer your unique content.

CAUTION: There are many successful Pinterest accounts that are using outdated practices like hashtags or keyword stuffing. Do not be fooled into thinking that you need to do it too! Make sure to use current best practices for Pinterest.

5. Analyze Pinterest Search Results

Another easy way to discover relevant keywords is to analyze the search results themselves. Once you’ve typed a keyword into the search bar, take a look at the top pins that appear. These are often optimized for Pinterest’s algorithm, which means they’re likely using strong, high-performing keywords.

Click on some of these pins and check out their descriptions. What keywords do you see? What phrases are repeated across multiple top-ranking pins? These can be useful clues for what works on Pinterest and how you can incorporate similar keywords into your own pins and boards.

6. Use Pinterest’s Related Search Feature

Pinterest’s related search feature is a hidden gem. When you search for a term, Pinterest will display a series of additional keyword suggestions in the search results. These words are commonly searched alongside your original keyword, making them perfect for expanding your SEO strategy.

For example, if you search for “fall outfits,” related search may suggest keywords like “cozy fall outfits,” “fall outfits women,” or “early fall outfits.” These additional suggestions are great for uncovering more keywords that are highly relevant to your audience.

Finding the right keywords on Pinterest is crucial for getting your content in front of the right audience. Whichever strategy you use, there are plenty of ways to discover high-impact keywords for your business.

By using these tools to find keywords on Pinterest, you’ll not only improve your SEO but also build a stronger, more engaged audience. So, start exploring, testing, and refining your keyword strategy today!

Remember, if you ever need help with managing your Pinterest, I’m here to support you every step of the way!

Where to Find Keywords on Pinterest