Content Writer at SocialBee
Pinterest is becoming a go-to spot for businesses to get noticed and earn more by sharing products that fit with the creative content people love. With 578 million monthly active users and 85% of weekly U.S. users saying they’ve bought something they discovered on the platform, the opportunity for affiliate income is huge.
Think of Pinterest as a visual search engine: pins rank in search for months, clicks build over time, and unbranded searches dominate, so users are actively looking for new products, not just established brands.
In this guide, you’ll set up a business account, optimize your content for search, and build an affiliate marketing system that can scale. By the end, you’ll have a clear process for turning your pins into a revenue stream you can track and grow.
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Short summary
- Create captivating pins that incorporate your Pinterest affiliate links, and earn commissions when followers click through and make purchases. It’s a creative and effective way to monetize your passion.
- Leverage the platform’s strengths, such as its visual appeal and pin longevity. Pinterest is ideal for products that photograph well, like fashion items or home decor, because your content stays relevant and discoverable for a longer time compared to other social platforms.
- Kick things off by setting up a Pinterest business account and tailoring your profile with keywords that attract the right crowd. Find your niche and start building meaningful interactions within the Pinterest community.
- Diversify your pin portfolio to cater to different tastes and preferences within your audience.
- Always be upfront about your use of direct affiliate links to maintain transparency and trust.
- Regularly optimize your content for SEO, and keep tabs on which types of pins perform best to refine your approach.
- Keep your content fresh and engaging without being spammy.
- Respect copyright laws and maintain a positive presence by interacting constructively with your followers. This will help you build a supportive and engaged community around your brand.
What is Pinterest affiliate marketing?
Pinterest affiliate marketing is a method where marketers promote products on Pinterest and earn commissions from sales or actions (e.g. starting a trial, downloading a resource, etc.) through affiliate links.
Marketers start by joining affiliate programs to receive unique tracking links, then create engaging Pins that can include images, videos, or infographics.
These Pins incorporate the affiliate links either directly or in their descriptions. When Pinterest users click on these links and make a purchase or complete a designated action, the marketer earns a commission.
Example: A “Kitchen Essentials” Pin might link to a cookware set on an ecommerce site using your affiliate tracking code. If a user clicks that Pin and completes the purchase within the program’s set window (often 24 hours to 30 days), you receive a percentage of the sale as commission.
Why should affiliate marketers use Pinterest?
Pinterest is where people actively search for ideas and products, not just where they scroll for entertainment. On the platform, 96% of top searches are unbranded, which means users are open to discovering new products through affiliate links.
Here’s why affiliate marketers should prioritize Pinterest:
- Capitalize on purchase intent: Users often come ready to shop. Product Pins and the “Shop” tab shorten the path from discovery to purchase.
- Gain lasting visibility: Pins rank in search for months and continue driving incremental clicks without extra effort.
- Showcase products visually: Strong images and videos make it easy to highlight items like fashion, food, or home decor.
- Target searches directly: Because users search with specific goals in mind, you can create Pins that match keywords and interests.
- Reach a growing base: Among Gen Z, searches on Pinterest are up 30% year over year, and this group saves more Pins and creates more boards than any other generation.
Bill Ready, CEO of Pinterest, makes a great point of why it’s the go-to social media platform for marketing in an interview from 2024:
“Historically, Pinterest has been a platform for digital window shopping. Now, we’re enabling users to take action on the things they find, turning inspiration into reality.” He also stated that “We more than doubled the number of clicks we send to advertisers in Q4.”
How to create a Pinterest affiliate marketing strategy
If you’re looking to tap into Pinterest to boost your affiliate marketing efforts, crafting a strategic approach is essential.
In this section, we’ll guide you through creating a Pinterest affiliate marketing strategy that not only captures the attention of pinners but also drives clicks and conversions.
Here are the things you need to do to start affiliate marketing on Pinterest:
- Create a business account and claim your website
- Optimize your Pinterest profile
- Find your niche
- Join affiliate networks and programs
- Create multiple pins
- Pin to group boards
- Disclose affiliate links
- Optimize for SEO
- Analyze pin performance
- Tag products in pins
- Build an email list
- Don’t break the Pinterest marketing rules
1. Create a business account and claim your website
If you want to use Pinterest for affiliate marketing, start with a Business account. This unlocks analytics, ad tools, and features you won’t get with a personal Pinterest account.
To set it up:
- Create a Business account: Go to Pinterest Business, sign up, and choose a username that matches your brand.
- Claim your website: Add your domain to Pinterest and verify it. This step builds trust with users and gives you access to performance data.
- Configure privacy and analytics: Set your account preferences, connect tracking tools, and make sure you enable Pinterest Tag for conversion insights.
- Enable Rich Pins: Apply for Rich Pins so product details (like price and availability) appear automatically on your affiliate Pins.
2. Optimize your Pinterest profile
When setting up your Pinterest profile as an affiliate marketer, aim for a balance between personal and professional. Your profile is often the first impression, so it should look polished and keyword-friendly.
- Choose a strong username: Pick one that reflects your niche and brand. Use 1–2 primary keywords in your display name (e.g., “Luna Home Decor | DIY & Storage”).
- Add a clear profile photo: Use a crisp logo if you’re a brand, or a professional headshot if you’re a creator. Avoid blurry or overly casual images.
- Write a keyword-rich bio: Craft a short, engaging description that tells users what you offer. Include semantically related terms naturally—for example, “home decor, storage tips, and DIY ideas”.
- Optimize boards: Every board should have a descriptive title and a 1–2 sentence description written in natural language with relevant keywords.
- Use keywords in Pins: Add them to Pin titles and descriptions so your content is easier to find in Pinterest search.
3. Find your niche
Choosing the right niche on Pinterest helps you attract the right audience and share your expertise in a focused way. It also ensures you are building around topics that have search demand and affiliate potential.
A simple way to validate your niche is to look at three things: Pinterest Trends to see what topics are growing, existing Pin results to spot gaps you could fill, and affiliate programs to confirm there are enough products to promote.
Once you’ve chosen a niche, you can create boards and content that speak directly to your audience. For example, if your niche is fashion, you might discuss the latest runway trends, share outfit ideas, or curate boards for different styles. In tech, you could review new gadgets or create tutorials for popular apps.
Cool Mom Tech is a good example of a niche site that helps parents discover the latest gadgets and apps for family life.
Actively engaging with your followers will also help you refine your strategy. Responding to questions, testing new ideas, and paying attention to feedback ensure your Pinterest presence delivers value while supporting your affiliate goals.
4. Join affiliate networks and programs
Affiliate networks connect you with merchants looking to promote their products. They serve as a centralized hub where you can access a wide range of programs across different niches.
To start, look for networks that align with your interests, such as beauty, fashion, tech, or another niche. Popular options include ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, and Amazon Associates, which provide thousands of products to promote. Once your account is approved, you can browse programs and choose those that match your niche and audience.
Before you join an affiliate program, check a few essentials:
- Relevance to your niche and audience
- Commission rate and payment structure
- Cookie duration (how long you earn credit after a click)
- EPC (earnings per click, a measure of average program performance)
- Deep-linking support and access to brand-approved creative assets
This kind of due diligence ensures you’re promoting products that not only interest your followers but also offer solid earning potential.
As an example, SocialBee runs its own in-house affiliate program.
Partners earn a 20% recurring monthly commission for each customer they refer. Affiliates also receive access to SocialBee plans, partner badges, audience discounts, and other perks, illustrating how niche-specific or direct programs can complement broader networks.
5. Create multiple Pins
Start by crafting a variety of Pinterest pins for each product. Mix up your designs by using different images, layouts, and color schemes to capture attention and appeal to diverse preferences.
For example, if you’re promoting a beauty product, try creating affiliate pins with a close-up of the product, another showing it in use, and maybe a third featuring a glowing customer testimonial.
When writing your pin descriptions, keep them fresh and engaging by varying your language and emphasizing different product features or benefits in each. Always include a clear call to action like “Check this out!” or “Find out more here.”
You should also experiment with different pin formats to keep your content fresh and reach more people. Pinterest supports:
- Image pins: The standard format, best for clear, static product shots.
- Video pins: Short clips that demonstrate products in action.
- Idea pins: Multi-page pins ideal for tutorials, step-by-step guides, or product collections.
- Rich pins: Dynamic pins that automatically pull in product data like price and availability.
And don’t forget to schedule your pins to go out at different times; this keeps your feed lively and reaches more viewers as they come online.
SocialBee makes managing your Pinterest strategy a breeze, helping you create, schedule, and post diverse pins effortlessly.
With its AI tools, you can create visually appealing Pins and write engaging captions tailored to your audience’s interests. Plus, by scheduling your pins for the best times, you keep your feed lively and maximize your reach.
Manage your entire Pinterest strategy from one place: SocialBee.
6. Pin to Group Boards
Strong Pinterest boards help you attract and retain followers, but group boards add another layer of reach when used wisely.
Your own boards should stay cohesive. A board called Vegan Recipes should only include plant-based dinners, baking tips, and ingredient guides. Consistency builds trust and makes your boards easier to discover. Keep them fresh by adding new Pins, choosing clear cover images, and organizing content by theme or season.
Here’s a board for side-gigs for moms, for example:
When it comes to group boards, be selective. Join only those with:
- Active engagement, measured by regular saves and clicks
- Clear rules and consistent curation by the board owner
- Topics that match your niche and target audience
Avoid boards that allow spam or repetitive Pins. Low-quality boards can reduce your content’s reach and Pin engagement instead of boosting it.
7. Disclose affiliate links
When using Pinterest to drive affiliate sales, you should always disclose your affiliate content. Transparency is both ethical and required by the FTC, as well as Pinterest’s own guidelines.
When you create a Pin with an affiliate link, make sure the disclosure is clear, close to the link, and visible without extra clicks. A simple way is to start your Pin description with plain language such as:
“Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase through this link, at no extra cost to you.”
Adding disclosures this way builds trust with your audience while keeping you compliant. Followers appreciate knowing how you earn from the products you recommend.
8. Optimize for SEO
Optimizing your Pinterest content for SEO is a must since the platform functions as a visual search engine.
A smart Pinterest strategy begins with effective keyword research. Start by identifying keywords your target audience uses when searching for Pins like yours. Use Pinterest Trends to see which terms are gaining traction, then apply those insights to your Pin titles, descriptions, and board names.
Pay attention to on-Pin details:
- Titles: Aim for 40–60 characters that include your primary keyword.
- Descriptions: Write 1–2 sentences in natural language, weaving in both primary and secondary keyword variations.
- File names: Name image files with descriptive keywords before uploading (e.g., vegan-brownies-recipe.jpg).
- Alt text: Add concise, keyword-rich alt text for accessibility and extra search signals.
At the board level, reinforce topical relevance by creating clusters. Build 4–6 themed boards around each product category. For example, a fashion marketer might create boards for Workwear Basics, Evening Outfits, and Seasonal Trends.
Finally, pair strong keywords with strong visuals. Use crisp images and consider adding a text overlay with your targeted keyword. When you combine clear SEO signals with eye-catching design, your Pins are more discoverable and drive more consistent traffic to your affiliate links.
9. Analyze Pin performance
To refine your Pinterest strategy, start by reviewing data in Pinterest Analytics. The dashboard shows how your Pins perform and helps you understand what resonates with your audience.
Focus on these key metrics:
- Impressions: How often your Pins appear on screens, a measure of visibility.
- Saves: How many times people add your Pins to boards, a sign of quality and relevance.
- Outbound clicks: The number of users who leave Pinterest through your Pin.
- CTR (click-through rate): Outbound clicks divided by impressions, showing how well your message and image match user intent.
- Revenue per Pin: If tracked, this helps you connect performance directly to affiliate income.
Reviewing these numbers regularly highlights which types of Pins deliver the best results. Double down on what works, and refine underperforming Pins by adjusting visuals, copy, or keyword targeting.
Pinterest Business accounts provide built-in analytics for tracking Pin performance. But if you want to evaluate all your social channels together, it helps to use a centralized tool.
SocialBee lets you aggregate analytics from Pinterest and other platforms in one dashboard. You can compare how Pinterest performs against channels like Instagram or LinkedIn, then export weekly or monthly PDF reports to share with clients or team members.
If your affiliate program allows it, SocialBee’s UTM builder also makes it easy to create affiliate links that are trackable for your Pins. This way, you can see not only how many clicks you’re getting, but also which links drive actual conversions.
Monitor your Pinterest performance with SocialBee to improve your strategy in real time.
10. Tag products in Pins
Tagging products directly in your Pins makes it easier for users to shop without extra steps. Instead of sending someone to a generic landing page, they can click straight on the item they’re interested in. This shortens the path to purchase and increases the chance of earning a commission.
When you start creating Pins with products, use clear, high-quality images and tag only the items you’re actually promoting. Too many tags can feel cluttered and confuse your audience. Focus on showcasing a few products that are most relevant to the Pin’s theme, either from a Pinterest catalog or by simply pasting the product link.
You can also combine product tags with Rich Pins so details like price and availability update automatically. This gives users accurate information right when they’re considering a purchase.
11. Build an email list
Pinterest users often save ideas for later, which means they may not buy before your affiliate cookie expires. An email list solves this by giving you more time to build trust and guide them toward a purchase.
The simplest approach is to direct traffic to a landing page with an opt-in form. Offer something valuable in exchange for their email address, such as a free guide, checklist, or discount code. Make sure the incentive connects naturally to the content that brought them in. For example, a “7-day meal plan” for recipe boards or a “starter toolkit” for DIY niches.
Once they’ve joined, set up a drip email campaign that continues the conversation. Share practical tips, helpful resources, and product recommendations that match their interests. Over time, these touchpoints make your affiliate promotions feel more relevant and increase the chance of conversion.
12. Don’t break the Pinterest marketing rules
When using Pinterest for affiliate marketing, it’s important to play by the rules to keep your strategy effective and compliant.
A. Refresh your content regularly
Keep your content fresh and diverse. Avoid spamming by repeating the same pins too often or stuffing descriptions with irrelevant keywords. Instead, mix in new visuals and ideas that add value for your audience.
B. Disclose affiliate relationships
Always be upfront when sharing affiliate links. Clear disclosures are not only a legal requirement but also help build trust with your followers.
C. Honor copyright laws
Use only original or licensed images. If you use someone else’s work, make sure you have permission or give proper credit.
D. Follow Pinterest ad guidelines
If you run Pinterest ads, review and follow Pinterest’s community guidelines. Pinterest has clear rules on what is prohibited, and sticking to them ensures your ads run smoothly.
Compliance checklist for affiliate marketers:
- Avoid spam, such as rapid repeats of the same pin
- Don’t use misleading text overlays or unapproved health or financial claims
- Skip cloaking or non-compliant URL shorteners
- Always use original or properly licensed images
5 useful tools for Pinterest affiliate marketing
To get the most out of your Pinterest affiliate marketing strategy, it helps to use the right tools. These platforms can help you design engaging pins, schedule posts consistently, manage affiliate links, and track what’s working.
1. SocialBee
SocialBee makes it easy to plan and schedule your affiliate pins in advance so you can stay consistent without having to post manually. Beyond Pinterest, you can manage all your social platforms from one dashboard, track performance across channels, and export client-ready PDF reports. SocialBee also includes a UTM builder, so you can track which affiliate links generate the most clicks and conversions.
Build UTM links to track your Pinterest affiliate marketing strategy with SocialBee.
Start your 14-day free trial today!
2. Pinterest Analytics
Pinterest Analytics is built into every business account. It helps you track impressions, saves, clicks, and conversions, giving you a clear picture of what resonates with your audience. You can also see how content from your website performs compared to the pins you create natively.
3. Canva
Canva is a DIY design platform with templates tailored to Pinterest’s recommended size (1000 × 1500 px). You can create pins that stand out by customizing templates with your brand colors, fonts, and images. Canva is also useful for designing lead magnets that support your email list growth strategy.
4. CapCut
CapCut is a free video editing tool that helps you produce short, engaging product demos, reviews, or tutorials. With both mobile and desktop apps, you can easily create video pins or idea pins that bring affiliate products to life in a format that performs well on Pinterest.
5. Pretty Links
Pretty Links is a popular WordPress plugin that helps you manage, shorten, and track your affiliate links. It keeps URLs clean, lets you monitor clicks, and makes it easier to update links across multiple pins. For affiliate marketers who publish blog content alongside their Pinterest strategy, Pretty Links simplifies link management and tracking.
Frequently asked questions
It’s time to turn Pins into profits!
Are you ready to turn creative pins into tangible profits?
By now, you’ve seen how to set up a strong Pinterest profile, use affiliate links the right way, and apply proven strategies that keep your content visible and engaging. Pinterest keeps evolving, which means new opportunities to grow your affiliate income are always on the horizon.
Take the next step by simplifying how you plan, schedule, and measure your content. With SocialBee, you can organize affiliate campaigns, schedule pins in advance, and track performance across all your platforms, all from one place.
Start your 14-day SocialBee trial today and put these Pinterest affiliate marketing strategies into action.
