Pinterest often gets overlooked when creators talk about making money online. Everyone's chasing TikTok virality or Instagram brand deals, but quietly, Pinterest is driving millions of dollars in creator income every single month. Unlike most social platforms, Pinterest is a search engine first — which means your content keeps working for you long after you post it. A pin you create today could be generating clicks, leads, and sales two years from now. If you're a creator, seller, or coach who hasn't seriously explored how to make money on Pinterest, you're leaving real revenue on the table. This guide breaks down exactly how to do it.
Why Pinterest Is a Goldmine for Creators (And Why Most Sleep on It)
Before diving into the tactics, it's worth understanding what makes Pinterest genuinely different from other platforms — because that difference is exactly what makes it profitable.
Pinterest has over 500 million monthly active users, and the platform's own data shows that 85% of weekly Pinners have made a purchase based on content they've seen there. These aren't passive scrollers. They're people in buying mode — searching for ideas, solutions, products, and inspiration with intent to act. That user behaviour is a creator's best friend.
Pinterest content also has an exceptionally long shelf life. On Instagram, a post might get engagement for 24–48 hours. On TikTok, a few days at best. On Pinterest, a single pin can circulate and drive traffic for months or years. That compounding effect means that the more you build on Pinterest, the more powerful your presence becomes over time — without constantly feeding the algorithm with new content.
For creators who sell digital products, run courses, offer coaching, or write blog content, Pinterest is one of the most underrated distribution channels available.
Setting Up Your Pinterest Profile for Monetisation
Getting your profile right is the foundation. A half-finished profile won't convert, no matter how good your pins are.
Switch to a Pinterest Business Account
If you don't already have a Business account, create one or convert your existing personal account for free. A Business account gives you access to Pinterest Analytics, rich pins, the ability to run ads, and the Pinterest Creator Hub. All of these are essential if you're serious about making money on the platform.
Optimise Your Profile for Search
Pinterest is a visual search engine, which means keywords matter — a lot. Use your target keywords in your:
- Display name — e.g. "Jane Smith | Digital Products for Creators"
- Bio — clearly describe who you help and what you offer
- Board names and descriptions — be specific rather than cute
Think about the words your ideal customer types when they're searching for what you offer. Those are the words you want woven into your profile and content.
Claim Your Website and Social Accounts
Claiming your website on Pinterest unlocks rich pins, adds your photo next to your content across the platform, and signals credibility. You should also claim your Instagram, YouTube, and Etsy accounts if you have them. This connects your ecosystem and strengthens your presence algorithmically.
Set Up Your Link in Bio Properly
Your Pinterest profile allows one clickable link. This is prime real estate. Don't waste it by linking to your homepage or a single product page. Instead, link to a well-structured link in bio page that directs your Pinterest audience to all the ways they can work with you — your digital products, your email list, your courses, your coaching offers. Tools like Linkrr make this easy, letting you create a clean, branded page that captures traffic and converts it.
How to Make Money on Pinterest: The Main Revenue Streams
There are several legitimate, proven ways creators earn income directly and indirectly through Pinterest. Here are the most effective ones.
1. Drive Traffic to Your Blog or Website
This is the most foundational Pinterest income strategy. Pinterest is one of the top sources of referral traffic on the internet. If you have a blog, website, or any content that earns through:
- Display advertising (Google AdSense, Mediavine, Raptive)
- Affiliate links embedded in your content
- Digital product sales pages
- Email list opt-in pages
...then driving Pinterest traffic to that content translates directly into revenue. Each pin you create should link back to a specific, relevant page on your site. The more traffic, the more ad impressions, the more affiliate clicks, and the more email subscribers you collect.
2. Sell Digital Products and Downloads
Pinterest users are actively looking for things to buy, and digital products sell exceptionally well on the platform. Printables, templates, Notion dashboards, Lightroom presets, e-books, meal plans, budget spreadsheets — these are all consistently high performers on Pinterest.
You can link your pins directly to your Etsy shop, Gumroad store, Payhip shop, or your own website. Create visually attractive pins that clearly show what the product is and who it's for. Overlay text matters here — "Free Budget Printable," "Canva Instagram Template Pack," or "30-Day Workout Plan PDF" perform well because they communicate the value instantly.
If you're a creator selling digital downloads, Pinterest should absolutely be part of your promotional strategy.
3. Promote Your Online Course or Membership
Course creators often find Pinterest to be a surprisingly effective top-of-funnel channel. Users searching for "how to start a Shopify store," "beginner photography tips," or "how to grow on Instagram" are exactly the kind of people who might enrol in a course on those topics.
Create pins that link to:
- Free lead magnets or webinars (to capture emails before pitching the course)
- Blog posts that showcase your expertise and link to the course
- Your course sales page directly
The educational intent of Pinterest users maps well to the course creator audience. If you're running a membership, use Pinterest to drive traffic to a free trial or a compelling landing page that explains the value.
4. Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest
Pinterest allows affiliate links in pins, which makes it one of the few social platforms where you can earn affiliate commissions directly without even needing a blog. When someone clicks your pin and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.
To do this well:
- Join affiliate programmes relevant to your niche (Amazon Associates, ShareASale, RewardStyle/LTK, Impact, etc.)
- Create pins that showcase the product in context — lifestyle imagery performs better than plain product shots
- Write compelling pin descriptions that include the keyword and a clear call to action
- Always disclose that your pin contains affiliate links (it's both legally required and builds trust)
Pinterest affiliate marketing works especially well in niches like home décor, fashion, beauty, fitness, food, and personal finance — but creative creators find ways to make it work in almost any niche.
5. Land Brand Deals and Sponsored Content
As your Pinterest following and monthly views grow, you become attractive to brands looking for sponsored content partnerships. Pinterest creators are increasingly being paid for sponsored pins, product collaborations, and brand ambassadorships.
If you want to pitch brands or attract inbound sponsorship enquiries, you need a professional media kit that includes your Pinterest stats alongside your other social metrics. Highlight your monthly views, your niche, your audience demographics, and examples of your top-performing content.
Don't wait for brands to come to you — proactively reach out to companies whose products genuinely align with your audience. A well-crafted pitch email with a clean media kit and clear rates goes a long way.
6. Grow Your Email List Through Pinterest
This might be the most underutilised Pinterest strategy of all, and arguably the most valuable long-term. Your email list is an asset you own — no algorithm can take it from you.
Use Pinterest to drive traffic to free lead magnets: checklists, templates, mini-courses, resource guides, anything genuinely useful to your target audience. Create pins specifically designed to promote these freebies, link them to your opt-in landing page, and watch your subscriber numbers climb.
Once someone is on your email list, you can market to them directly — promoting your paid products, courses, coaching offers, and affiliate partnerships. Pinterest becomes the top of a funnel that converts into sustained, platform-independent revenue.
Creating Pinterest Content That Actually Converts
Understanding the revenue streams is one thing. Creating pins that actually drive results is where most people fall short.
Focus on Vertical Images (1000 x 1500px)
Pinterest's feed is vertical, and taller pins take up more real estate — which means more visibility. The optimal ratio is 2:3, and the ideal size is 1000 x 1500 pixels. Use Canva (which has Pinterest templates built in) to design your pins efficiently.
Write Keyword-Rich Descriptions
Every pin you publish should have a description that includes the keywords your audience is searching for. Don't keyword stuff — write naturally, as if you're explaining what the pin is about to someone who can't see it. Include a clear call to action at the end, such as "Click to get the free template" or "Read the full guide on the blog."
Use Text Overlays Strategically
Most Pinterest users don't stop to read descriptions before clicking — they make decisions based on the image itself. That's why text overlays on your pin images are essential. Make the headline bold, clear, and benefit-driven. Think "10 Ways to Make Money From Home" not "Some Ideas for You."
Create Multiple Pins Per Piece of Content
One of the most effective Pinterest tactics is creating three to five different pin designs for each blog post, product, or landing page. Different colours, different headlines, different images — then test and see which performs best. This maximises the reach of every piece of content you create and gives you more chances to appear in search results.
Pin Consistently and Strategically
Pinterest rewards consistency. Aim to publish fresh pins regularly — daily if possible, but even three to five times per week will build momentum over time. Use a scheduling tool like Tailwind to batch your pinning and stay consistent without it consuming your entire day.
Focus the majority of your pinning on your own content, but you can also share others' relevant content to round out your boards and signal to Pinterest what your niche is.
Using the Pinterest Creator Fund and Monetisation Features
Pinterest has been rolling out native monetisation features for creators, and it's worth knowing what's available.
Pinterest Creator Rewards
Pinterest has run creator reward programmes that pay eligible creators for meeting specific engagement and content goals within the app. Availability varies by region and changes over time, so check the Pinterest Creator Hub regularly to see whether you qualify for active programmes.
Pinterest TV and Live Shopping
Pinterest has introduced live shopping features that allow creators to tag products and earn commissions on sales made during live broadcasts. If you're in a product-focused niche — fashion, beauty, home, fitness — this is a developing revenue stream worth keeping an eye on.
Product Tagging in Pins
If you sell physical or digital products through an integrated shop, you can tag your products directly in pins. This creates a seamless shopping experience where users can click through and purchase without much friction. Reduce the steps between discovery and purchase, and your conversion rates improve.
Tracking Your Pinterest Performance and Scaling What Works
You can't grow what you don't measure. Once you're consistently publishing content, use Pinterest Analytics to understand what's actually working.
Metrics That Matter
Pay attention to:
- Outbound clicks — the number of people clicking through to your website or links. This is the most important metric for driving revenue.
- Impressions — how many times your pins are being shown in search and feeds
- Saves — an indicator of how much people value your content
- Engagement rate — overall interaction with your pins
Identify your top-performing pins and double down on what's working. If a particular type of pin or topic drives significantly more outbound clicks than others, create more content in that vein.
Connect Pinterest to Google Analytics
Install Google Analytics on your website and use UTM parameters in your Pinterest links. This lets you see exactly how much traffic Pinterest is sending to your site, which pages that traffic is landing on, and how that traffic is converting into email subscribers, leads, or sales. This data is invaluable for making smart decisions about where to invest your content creation time.
Iterate and Improve
Pinterest growth is a long game. It typically takes three to six months of consistent effort before you start seeing significant traction — but once the momentum builds, it compounds. Keep testing different pin designs, headlines, topics, and posting frequencies. Every data point helps you get better faster.
Conclusion: Pinterest Is One of the Best-Kept Secrets in Creator Monetisation
If you've made it this far, you now know more about making money on Pinterest than the majority of creators out there. The opportunity is real, the platform rewards consistent effort, and the revenue streams are varied enough to work for almost any creator business model — whether you're selling digital products, running a course, building affiliate income, or growing an audience you can monetise in multiple ways.
The key is to treat Pinterest as the powerful search engine and evergreen traffic machine it is, not as another social media platform you need to perform on. Build your boards strategically, create content your audience is actively searching for, and make sure every click is going somewhere that converts.
Speaking of converting — when you're driving traffic from Pinterest, you need one central place to send people that showcases everything you offer. That's exactly what Linkrr is built for. Linkrr lets you create a beautiful, branded link-in-bio page that brings together your digital products, courses, affiliate links, email opt-ins, and more — all in one place. It's the perfect landing spot for your Pinterest audience, and it means every click you earn has the best possible chance of turning into real revenue. Sign up for Linkrr today and give your Pinterest traffic somewhere powerful to land.
