With hundreds of millions of users and an 11% CAGR, Pinterest is one of the most undervalued affiliate marketing platforms, especially for businesses targeting female audiences and Gen Z, representing 70% and 42% of users.
At the very least, Pinterest affiliate marketing is a great way to diversify beyond Instagram or TikTok and gain some long-term visibility. After all, did you know that over a third of Pinterest users have an annual income over $100k?
Read on to learn everything you need to know about Pinterest affiliate marketing.
Pinterest Affiliate Marketing Under the Microscope
Pinterest is a visual discovery engine where users browse themed pins – inspiration, home exterior ideas, wishlists, etc. – that may include links to other websites. By adding affiliate links to your pins, you can naturally share products with your audience.
Your task as an affiliate is not only to encourage users to pin your image, but also to direct them to follow your link. Therefore, you need to provide them with an initial value to capture their interest, as well as offer a solution to address their pain points.
Unlike Instagram or TikTok, affiliate marketing on Pinterest is more intent-driven. Users often come here to find visual inspiration. Since this network favors high-quality visuals and evergreen content, affiliate marketing on Pinterest is especially effective for niches such as fashion, beauty, lifestyle, food, and DIY. However, even solar and insurance affiliates can also find opportunities here.
Here are some content examples that work well on Pinterest:
- “How Health Insurance Saved This Family’s Finances” with a simple infographic
- “Before & After: Transform Your Roof with Solar Panels” with a classic comparison photo
- “Essential Car Insurance Checklist Before Your Next Road Trip” with a checklist-style visual
Source: Pinterest
If you’re passionate about a niche and can create compelling content around it, Pinterest affiliate marketing offers a powerful way to turn inspiration into income, without needing your own product.
5 Ways To Make Money as an Affiliate on Pinterest
Join Affiliate Programs
To get started with Pinterest affiliate marketing, you need to join affiliate programs that offer commission on product referrals. They will provide you with tracking links that enable the brand to identify customers who came from you.
You can join affiliate networks such as Rakuten Advertising, CJ Affiliate, Profitise, or ShareASale. You can also join brand-specific programs like Amazon Associates, Etsy Affiliate Program, Target, Walmart, Sephora, etc.
While examining affiliate programs, take a closer look at:
- Commission rates: How much you’ll earn per sale or lead.
- Cookie duration: How long the tracking cookie lasts (e.g., 24 hours, 30 days). The longer the window is, the better.
- Product relevance: Whether the products align well with your Pinterest niche and audience interests.
- Payment thresholds and schedule: Minimum payout amounts and the frequency of payments.
- Affiliate support and resources: Availability of marketing materials, training, or a dedicated affiliate manager.
- Program reputation: Reviews or feedback from other affiliates about reliability and ease of use.
- Restrictions on affiliate links: Whether direct linking on Pinterest is allowed, or if you need to link to your own site first.
- Conversion tracking and reporting: How detailed and transparent the program’s tracking tools are.
Checking these factors helps ensure that your affiliate marketing through Pinterest remains successful as long as you choose profitable and trustworthy options. Start with one or two programs that match your content, and focus on learning how their links work before scaling up.
Create And Optimize Your Pinterest Account
It will take less than an hour to set your Pinterest profile.
Here is what you should do:
- Change Personal account to a Business account: Go to Settings and change the profile type to gain access to Pinterest Analytics, paid ads cabinet, and Rich Pins.
- Optimize your account: Use your brand name with niche-related keywords. Write a concise bio and include a call-to-action or link to your main website/blog.
- Create relevant boards: Organize your pins into topic-related boards (e.g., “Outdoor lighting ideas,” “Off Grid Living,” “Minimalist Home Decor”). Write keyword-rich board descriptions to boost your visibility.
- Set up your website: Claim your site in Pinterest settings to access analytics on the pins linked to your site.
- Enable Rich Pins: Rich Pins add additional details to your pins, like pricing and product availability, helping you stand out. Connect your website and apply for Rich Pins through Pinterest’s developer tools.
The first step to achieving Pinterest affiliate success is to demonstrate that you are a legitimate business.
Create Captivating Content
It’s recommended to use vertical pins with high-resolution images and well-structured layouts. That way, you can be sure that your post will be correctly displayed both in the mobile app and on the PC’s display.
Source: Pinterest for Business
Text is as important as the actual pin’s main picture. However, ensure that you use readable fonts and that the text complements the picture.
Here are some examples:
- “Top 10 Budget Travel Essentials” for a health insurance affiliate that promotes insurance for travellers
- “Home Exterior Tips” for a solar affiliate that demonstrates how PV panels improve a house’s appeal
When using Pinterest for affiliate marketing, maintain consistent branding across your pins. Your regular followers should immediately recognize that they are viewing your pin on their “For You” page. So, you’ll make your content recognizable while building trust.
Pinterest users typically save pins for future reference, so your content should feel evergreen, helpful, and inspirational. While leveraging Pinterest for affiliate marketing, design multiple pin variations for the same affiliate product or blog post to test which formats perform best.
If you’re not a designer, consider using services like Canva, Adobe Express, or Tailwind to create visually appealing images. However, remember that value and clarity are as important as visuals.
Use humor to grab users’ attention. You can safely use memes to distinguish yourself from the “Picture-perfect” influencers. Not only does it help you to stand out, but it also shows that you are on the same page with your clients.
Source: Pinterest
Here is another example of a fun, yet professional Pin that shows users that you are going to provide them with some affordable healthcare insurance solutions.
Source: Pinterest
Meanwhile, this affiliate jokes about the life situation of Lightning McQueen from the Cars movie.
Source: Pinterest
If you are a more traditional affiliate, you can create informative infographics that explain to users the key differences between niche-specific staple terms.
Source: Pinterest
Add Affiliate Links
| Linking Method | Description | Pros | Cons |
| Direct Affiliate Links | Add your affiliate URL directly to the pin, linking to the product page. | Simple and quick setupDirect path to purchaseNo need to maintain a website | Some affiliate programs or Pinterest policies restrict direct affiliate linksLess control over the final user experienceHarder to build a personal brand |
| Link to Website or Blog | Link the pin to your own site where you embed affiliate links. | Gives more context and value to the visitorBuilds your authority and gives you backlinksBetter for long-term brand growth | Requires running and maintaining a website or blogAn extra step might reduce immediate conversionsYou need even more time to create content |
Let your audience know you might earn a commission by adding a quick note like “This pin contains affiliate links” or “#ad.” This way, you comply with Pinterest affiliate marketing guidelines and legal requirements (like FTC guidelines) and show your audience that you are worthy of trust.
Once you post the content with affiliate links, monitor those pins and boards. You need to regularly analyze your marketing efforts to determine what works best for you.
Leverage SEO to Reach the Correct Audience
Pinterest behaves more like Google than Instagram. If you want your pins to actually show up where they matter, you’ll need to make them search-friendly. You don’t need any complex descriptions or any extra visuals. Just ensure that your post is catchy and the text description encourages users to follow the link.
Source: Pinterest
Implement these 7 tips to reshape your Pinterest marketing:
- Let data shape your content: If you don’t understand what your audience is looking for, you may be posting into the void. Use Pinterest’s search suggestions or keyword planners to uncover what phrases people actually use.
- Optimize pin titles: Implement suitable keywords into the pin’s title and description. There is no need to overspam. It’s better to create 5-7 pins with different keywords than add multiple search phrases into a single post.
- Write detailed descriptions: Write a short (less than 50 words) description with relevant keywords to help Pinterest understand your content and match it with user searches.
- Use hashtags: You don’t need to overspam them. Adding 2-3 relevant hashtags along with text under each post will be enough for your Pinterest affiliate marketing.
- Board names and descriptions: Organize your pins into boards with clear, keyword-rich titles and descriptions. It improves your visibility, making the user experience with your brand even simpler.
- Consistent pinning: It shows Pinterest that you actively use your account, giving you more visibility than less active accounts.
By incorporating SEO best practices into your affiliate marketing on Pinterest, your pins will be more likely to appear in front of people searching for promoted products.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to do affiliate marketing on Pinterest
To start affiliate marketing on Pinterest, set up a business account, join affiliate programs, design niche-relevant pins, and add affiliate links either directly or via a blog or website. Optimize pins with relevant keywords, use visually appealing images, and clearly disclose affiliate partnerships. Stay consistent to grow and earn commissions.
How to do affiliate marketing on Pinterest without a website
Join affiliate programs that allow direct linking, create a business account, design pins, and add your affiliate links directly to the pins. Make SEO-friendly content and always disclose affiliate partnerships in the pin description.
Does affiliate marketing on Pinterest work?
Yes, there are millions of affiliates on Pinterest. This approach will work best with aesthetically pleasing niches, such as fashion, travel, home decor, exterior design, and solar.
How to set up Pinterest for affiliate marketing
Create a business account, optimize your profile, claim your website (optional), create niche-specific boards, and design eye-catching pins. Add affiliate links directly or via your website, and use SEO in titles and descriptions.
