Pinterest is not just a platform for saving recipes or home decor ideas—it’s a powerful tool for affiliate marketers.
Over the years, I’ve helped many clients and friends use Pinterest affiliate marketing strategies to earn passive income consistently.
Unlike other platforms, Pinterest works like a visual search engine. That means one pin can keep bringing you sales for months—or even years. Below, I’m sharing real strategies that have worked for real people.
1. Optimize Your Pinterest Profile for Affiliate Sales
Before you start pinning, your profile needs to be set up the right way. Many people skip this part and end up struggling later.
- Switch to a Business Account – It’s free and gives you access to analytics and ad tools.
- Write a Clear, Keyword-Rich Bio – Example: “Helping beginners earn with affiliate marketing | Top-rated products & guides | Follow for daily tips.”
- Enable Rich Pins – These show real-time product info like pricing, which builds trust.
One of my clients doubled her click-through rate just by updating her bio and turning on Rich Pins.
2. Keyword Research: The Backbone of Pinterest Traffic
Pinterest is a search engine, so keywords are super important. If you skip SEO, you’ll get low views and clicks.
- Use Pinterest’s Search Bar – Start typing and look at the suggestions. Like: “best budget laptops” → “best budget laptops for students.”
- Try Free Tools – Google Keyword Planner or Pinterest Trends are great for finding good keywords.
- Mix Broad & Long-Tail Keywords – Example: “Affordable workout gear” (broad) vs. “Best resistance bands under $20” (long-tail).
A friend of mine who runs a fitness blog made 40% more from affiliate links just by using better keywords.
3. Create High-Converting Pins That Drive Clicks
Not all pins perform the same. Some just sit there, others bring in traffic and sales for years. Here’s what works best:
- Use Vertical Pins (2:3 Ratio) – Pins sized 1000x1500px stand out more.
- Bold Text Overlays – Try something like: “This $30 gadget saved me hours—click to see how!”
- Use Real Images – Skip the boring stock photos. Even simple real-life pics work better.
- Add Clear CTAs (Calls to Action) – Say things like “Tap for discount” or “Get it here.”
A friend in the beauty niche saw a 300% increase in clicks by designing pins with bold CTAs.
4. Smart Board Strategy for Maximum Exposure
Boards are like categories for Pinterest. They help your pins get found. Too few or too many boards can hurt your reach.
- Make 10–15 Niche Boards – Example for a travel affiliate: “Budget Travel Gear”, “Luxury Hotel Deals”, “Packing Essentials.”
- Use Keywords in Board Titles & Descriptions – Think about what people are searching for.
- Mix Pins – A 70/30 split of helpful content vs. affiliate pins keeps your profile organic and trustworthy.
A parenting blogger I know organized her boards like this and got 50% more clicks on her affiliate links.
5. Consistency & Scheduling: The Traffic Multiplier
Random pinning doesn’t work. Pinterest loves consistency. But doing it all manually takes time.
- Pin 10–15 Times a Day – Spread your pins across different boards.
- Use Tailwind or Pinterest Scheduler – These tools help you post at the best times, like evenings and weekends.
- Re-use Evergreen Content – Share your top-performing pins every few weeks.
One client tripled her affiliate income in 90 days just by scheduling 10 pins a day.
6. Track, Test & Scale What Works
Guessing doesn’t help. You need to look at your numbers. I’ve seen people keep using bad strategies just because they didn’t check what was working.
- Check Pinterest Analytics Each Month – See which pins, boards, and audiences perform best.
- Test Different Designs & CTAs – Try new colors, fonts, or messages.
- Focus on What Works – Update or remove pins that aren’t doing well.
One guy I know switched to video pins after noticing they got 5x more conversions. His earnings skyrocketed after that.
Final Thoughts
Pinterest affiliate marketing does work—but only if you treat it like the search engine it is. From setting up your profile to tracking results, every step matters.
The best part? Pinterest content keeps working long after you post. A pin you made last year could still bring in sales today.
Start with one step, see what happens, and build from there. A lot of my clients made their first affiliate sale within a few weeks of starting. Maybe you’re next?
