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Most Pinterest pins get ignored, but a few blow up. Have you ever wondered what makes a Pinterest pin go viral?
I can tell you, that’s not luck. It’s a few easy tactics that can immediately increase your impressions.
And by the time you finish reading this guide, you will know EXACTLY what those tactics are.
1. Eye-Catching Visuals Are Key for a Viral Pin
I said it before, but it’s worth repeating: If your pins look bad, your results will look bad too.
Ask me how I know đź¤
When I first started, I made the same mistake.
So when my pins didn’t take off?
I blamed the algorithm.
But the algorithm wasn’t the problem.
My pins were.
📌 If people don’t click, Pinterest won’t promote your pin. It’s that simple.
The thing is, you’re not just posting pins… you’re competing in an ocean of stunning images.
And for someone to stop and click yours? 🎨
It has to stand out.
Aspect Ratio
If you have never run social media ads, you might not know this. Professionals in advertising always recommend using the exact aspect ratio the platform requires. Not only that, but you need to use that entire space to tell your story. Don’t leave empty gaps that distract or confuse people.
On Pinterest, the ideal aspect ratio is 2:3 (1000×1500 pixels).
By now, you are probably curious. You might even want to peek at my account to see what kind of pins I post. And yes, I do use different aspect ratios for some pins.
But for my most important pins, especially blog pins, I always stick to 1000×1500. These pins get noticed and perform far better. Just this one small tweak can turn your pin into a viral pin, so don’t skip it.
Colors
Have you ever heard of a color wheel? If not, it’s a simple tool that shows which colors look good together. By using the color wheel, you can pick a few bright, strong colors and match them to grab people’s attention.
Fonts
I know, you love those cursive, romantic fonts.
So do I!
But here’s the problem. They are impossible to read. Almost all of us use Pinterest on our phones, and if we can’t quickly read what your pin says, it won’t grab our attention.
If it doesn’t grab attention, we won’t click. And if we don’t click the pin, we won’t click your link.
The rule is simple. Avoid those fancy, unreadable fonts on Pinterest at all costs.
Images
High-quality visuals are non-negotiable if you want to create a viral pin on Pinterest.
I have used some unique, edited images from my own websites and the pins featuring them perform really well.
Canva also has great images, but in my experience, the best-looking ones are paid. If you can invest in Canva Pro, I highly recommend it.
You can also use free platforms like Pexels or Unsplash. While many of those same free images are pulled into Canva’s library, Canva Pro makes the process faster. You just type what you need and you get a great image right there without wasting time searching for any color, any vibe, and style.
Truth is, money loves speed. The faster you make standout pins, the better. Tools that save time and keep quality are worth every penny.
2. Compelling Headlines
There are two ways to approach it.
One way is to use this title formula: what the reader wants, the worry taken away, and how soon it will happen. It is very powerful, but you have to use it carefully. Never make false claims. That is deceptive advertising. Use it, but use it responsibly.
Example: “How to Get More Impressions on Pinterest Without Spending a Dime on Ads This Month.”
- What the reader wants: More impressions on Pinterest
- Worry taken away: No need to spend money on ads
- How soon it will happen: This month
The other way is to read copywriting books. They teach psychological principles, formulas (like AIDA) that grab attention and drive action, which is exactly what a high-performing Pinterest pin needs to do.
I know when we are posting pins, we often do not care. We want to finish fast and move on with our day. But headlines are extremely important. Do not ignore them.
One of the main reasons someone clicks on your pin is the promise your headline makes.
You can also check out this blog on writing irresistible Pinterest headlines for more tips.
3. Keywords and SEO Matter
Pinterest is a search engine, just like Google or YouTube. If someone types something like “Pinterest templates for bloggers” into the search bar, and you optimize your pin for SEO, it can rank high.
If your pin ranks high, you can get most of the clicks and traffic.
But here is the problem. SEO is only part of the game. Platforms are smart. They know when you optimize your pin, and they will show it in the right place. But if people click on another pin more than yours, your ranking can drop.
Every platform wants to make money. They want users to stay longer, be satisfied, make purchases, and come back.
Everything I have been writing ties together to get that click while keeping everyone happy.
SEO alone is not enough. If your pins are not beautiful, all that SEO is wasted effort.
Pro Tip: If you’re new to this and need a complete breakdown of how to set up your account for success, I highly recommend reading my full guide on how to market digital products on Pinterest. It covers the foundation you need before you can focus on going viral.
4. Trends & Timing
Pinterest has an amazing free tool called Pinterest Trends. In fact, trends often happen on Pinterest first. If you catch them at the right time, you can win even on Etsy, because trends usually show up there later.
There is a reason Pinterest also has Pinterest Predicts. The platform is almost perfect at spotting both current and future trends.
Riding seasonal trends is one of the fastest ways to take your impressions from 100K to 1 million and achieve that viral pin status.
Timing
Timing is everything. ⏰
When you spot a trend, act immediately. Don’t wait. The faster you create and post your pin, the more traffic you can capture.
Take Inspiration from Others
Look at successful creators in your niche and see what works. Inspiration is legal and smart. Copying, however, is not safe. Use inspiration to understand what grabs attention and create pins that get clicks.
5. Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
If you don’t tell people what to do, they will do nothing.
If your pin leads to a blog or product, say something clear like “Click the pin,” “Read more,” “Learn more,” “Buy now,” “Download now,” or “Save for later.”
One of the main reasons people get low outbound clicks is that their pins do not tell users what action to take.
Do not overdo it. Confuse the user and you lose. Stick to one clear call to action per pin.
It has to be prominent, readable, and feature contrasting colors so that there is no way a user can miss it.
6. Test & Adjust
Some pins will outperform the rest.
When you have a pin like that, study it. Look at its keywords, its style, and its call to action.
Then replicate it. Create a few more pins just like it.
Do not waste time making pins that did not work. Focus on what works and double down on it.
Conclusion
- Use Good Colors and Fonts: Bright colors and fonts that are easy to read will make people stop and look.
- Pictures Are Important: Use the best-looking images.
- Write Interesting Titles: Make sure your title promises something good and actually gives it.
- Design is the Real Winner: Use the right keywords, but always make your pin look beautiful.
- Jump on Trends Quickly: The faster you use a new idea, the better!
- Tell People What to Do: Use a short, clear sentence to show readers what action to take.
- Find What Works and Do It Again: See which pins get the most clicks and make more just like them.
Try making a pin today using these tips. You might get your first viral pin sooner than you think!
You can also check out what Pinterest has to say about doing business on their platform and discover even more tips than I covered here!
Have an awesome day and good luck with your pins!
Gabi <3
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