It’s Easy to Spiral…
When I first opened Pinterest years ago, I was lost.
I made a little personal account, poked around, and quickly left. It wasn’t anything like Facebook… and I didn’t understand pinterest hashtags, how to use hashtags, or whether they even mattered.
I kept wondering, do hashtags work on pinterest or am I supposed to focus on something else?
If you’re brand new, it’s easy to spiral. You see blog posts pushing best hashtags for pinterest, most popular hashtags, hashtag ideas, even hashtags for likes and trending hashtags… and your brain goes, “Cool… so I need a giant list of hashtags to win?”
Meanwhile you’re trying to plan a soft launch of your blog and wondering if blog hashtags or motivation hashtags will magically bring traffic.
I’ve been there… confused, overwhelmed, and ready to quit before I even started.
Do Hashtags Work on Pinterest?
(The Simple Truth)
Here’s what finally clicked for me: Pinterest is a search engine first. People type words into the search bar. That means your keywords in the pin title, pin description, and board matter far more than hashtags.
So… do hashtags work on pinterest?
- They’re optional. If you use them, they won’t make or break your reach.
- Keywords (the natural phrases people search for) are what actually help your pins get discovered.
When Hashtags Can Help (optional, not required)
- branded tags: a short brand or campaign tag (ex: #lifewithsusieq) to group your stuff.
- events or series: a live challenge or limited series you want to track.
- clarity add-on: 1-3 clear tags that match the words already in your title/description.
Keep it tiny: 0-3 tags max. No stuffing. Let your keywords do the heavy lifting.
What to Do Instead of Chasing “Popular Hashtags”
You’ll see posts promising popular hashtags, most popular hashtags, and hashtags for likes. On Pinterest, “popular” doesn’t equal “profitable.” Go after search intent instead:
- Find phrases people actually search
Use a Pinterest keyword tool (My favorite for Pinterest keywords!) to discover phrases like “content creation for beginners,” “easy weeknight dinners,” “budget wedding ideas,” etc. Read here to find out more about this Pinterest keyword tool. - Write for humans, not hacks
Pin title: “how to post on pinterest (even if you’re brand new)”
Pin description: a 2-3 sentence, human-sounding summary that naturally repeats your key phrase once. - Match your board
Save that pin to a tightly relevant board. Board titles and descriptions are part of your SEO.
Example board: “pinterest for beginners” with a description that includes your main phrase. - Be consistent
Pinterest rewards creators who show up with helpful, searchable content over time. You don’t need a giant list of hashtags… you need clear topics and steady pins.
Copy-and-Paste Mini Templates
Pin Title:
How to use Pinterest for business (beginner setup guide)
Pin Description:
New to pinterest for business? in this quick guide, I’ll show you how to set up your account, pick keywords, and publish your first pin… no tech headaches.
Optional Hashtags (0-2):
#pinterestforbeginners #lifewithsusieq
Board:
Pinterest for beginners… learn how to use Pinterest, do Pinterest seo, and publish your first pins with confidence.
My Turning Point
Once I stopped stressing over Pinterest hashtags and focused on clear topics + strong keywords, everything felt lighter. I finally saw saves, clicks, and traffic… without memorizing hashtags for Pinterest or chasing trending hashtags that didn’t fit my audience.
If you’re just starting, breathe. You don’t need perfect. You need clear.
Quick Start Checklist (for true beginners)
- Pick one audience and one problem you can help with (Read how to find your niche here)
- Brainstorm 5-10 keyword phrases they’d search
- Create one board per topic (use those phrases!)
- Design a simple pin: bold headline, readable, clean
- Write a human description using your phrase once
- (optional) Add 1-3 simple tags… then publish
This post walks you through how to post on Pinterest, even if you have no idea what you’re doing.
If you want hand holding step-by-step, the Pinterest Marketing Academy is my favorite beginner friendly path. It teaches strategy you can use even with zero followers.
You’ve got this. And if you felt seen reading this… same. I’m so glad you’re here. 💜
Until next time…