When thinking of search engines, Google is usually the first option that comes to mind. But did you know that Pinterest is used by many for a similar purpose as a search engine? While many people think of Pinterest as a social network, it also has search engine functions, making it a hybrid platform that combines the best aspects of social networking sites and search engines. And while search engine like Google gives information on a topic, Pinterest is known to inspire people by showing them visual and innovative designs and ideas for their queries.
So, is Pinterest a search engine? In recent years, Pinterest has established itself as a strong search engine. Users are increasingly using Pinterest to discover new products and services, and businesses are taking notice.
In this post, we will take a deep dive into the world of Pinterest and explore its potential as a search engine. We will also look at how Pinterest has an impact on the search, how it works, its evolution and what makes it so important among other details.
What impact Pinterest is having on search?
Pinterest has had a major effect on search, developing a more visual, user-friendly, and enticing way to discover the world around us. It has transformed how we find and explore content online by bringing a feast of visuals to the world of search. By providing an exclusive blend of inspiration and practicality, Pinterest has made looking for solutions and products a simpler and more intuitive experience.
Since the time Pinterest was introduced to the world, many changes have been made which have truly and drastically impacted search results. These changes mainly include images and video and the standard search engine result page.
You can now search for anything on Google, and before you get the regular search listings, you’ll first be presented with videos, images, promotions, and even snippets. The best thing is… Google uses Pinterest as a source of inspiration when determining what information to provide users who search for a query online, particularly when it comes to anything creative.
With its focus on visual content, Pinterest has increased the importance of images in search, enabling users to find what they’re looking for quickly. Its sophisticated search engine makes it simpler to find new ideas and items by using modern algorithms to give tailored results based on a user’s interests, past searches, and interaction habits.
But if you believe Pinterest to be nothing more than a search engine, think again! Users can gather and arrange their favorite ideas on this platform for artistic expression and personal growth. With the help of Pinterest, people can now explore their interests and discover new means to express themselves.
How does Pinterest search work?
Just like any search engine that works on the interests of the users, Pinterest’s algorithm works the same way and finds and presents pins related to the user’s interest. To decide how relevant pins are, the algorithm considers a variety of parameters. The user’s behavior, search phrase, and pin content are examples. Pinterest often concentrates on the following four key aspects to improve the effectiveness of their algorithm and search:
Quality of domain
Because Pinterest works almost exactly like Google does, even Pinterest rates the quality of your domain. Domain quality is used to determine whether or not your domain is quality-worthy. Often Pinterest identifies the level of popularity of the pin that will appear on your website. Additionally, Pinterest will view your website as a high-quality source of content if it can produce well-liked pins.
There are several steps you can take to improve your domain quality:
• You have the option to change your account from private to business, which will allow you to access more extensive information on website visitors, repining a pin, and other metrics.
• You can claim your website by letting rich pins that constantly receive updates on your blog and that are packed with additional data passed on from your website. This will prove to Pinterest that the site is an established authority and that you are an active pinner.
Quality of pins
While the quality of the domain is crucial, the quality of the pins should not be overlooked. In fact, the quality of the pins might be considered even more significant than the quality of the domain. Generally, a pin’s popularity and level of engagement determine its quality. The more likes saves, and comments your pin receives, the more opportunities you’ll have to rank higher for quality.
To improve the quality of your pin, follow these pointers:
• Decide on an intriguing and appealing title that will grab your target audience’s attention and leave a lasting impression.
• Whether it’s a stock photo or one you took yourself, use high-quality images.
• Make sure you stick to the image size criteria, 1000×1500 pixels, as image size counts on Pinterest pins.
Quality of pinner
The impact and content of your pins, how frequently you communicate with your audience, and how much engagement your pins usually get determine the quality of the pinner. The more interesting and intriguing your pin is, the more likely it will be shared. To improve the quality of the pinner, you should:
• Make sure that the content you pin is trendy, which will bring more users to your profile.
• Consistency is key when pinning because it will keep you engaged regularly.
• You can use Pinterest analytics to identify popular subjects and new trends to raise user engagement.
Relevancy of the topic
The relevance of the topic influences whether Pinterest wants to show you the content when a user searches for a topic or not. This is usually done by analyzing the hashtags and keywords you use on your pins. It works similarly to Google; that is, when users type in a topic, Google only shows information that is relevant to the keyword.
To make your pins more relevant:
• Use a Pinterest search query to carry out a keyword search.
• Use popular keywords in the titles of your Pinterest boards, descriptions, and pins.
• Use relevant keywords to boost your profile and inform users about what your business does and stands for.
Evolution of Pinterest until 2023
Pinterest has changed considerably since it was initially presented to the world. Over the years, Pinterest has evolved and is now an improved version of what it once was. Nevertheless, we must first understand its origins and history to understand what it was previously and how it evolved. This timeline can help you better understand Pinterest and its development:
2010- This was the year when Pinterest first came into being. In 2010, three partners developed Pinterest with the goal of assisting enthusiastic and creative individuals in idea collection. It started off as a place for ideas but quickly evolved into a platform where friends could share ideas on each other’s boards. Up until 2014, the users who followed you on the platform received new ideas, pins, or images chronologically.
2014- In 2014, Pinterest advanced and cleared the door for advertisements. Suddenly, a distribution algorithm for content emerged, and the Pinterest visual search came to life. The use of Pinterest keywords has been crucial in defining how information should be delivered, and soon an algorithm focused on pinner behavior replaced the previous method of distributing chronological content.
Also, in the same year, vertical images replaced horizontal ones because lengthier images occupied more of the area, which did not favor the new algorithm and user engagement. The ultimate decision on the image size was a 2:3 ratio.
2015- In 2015, Pinterest began displaying local search results that were simplified and focused on the closest location. So if you are looking for interior design ideas, you will be shown results from your country.
2016- Things started to change a little more this year. The pin button was changed to the save button, and the aspect ratio of the pin was reduced to 1:2:8 from 1:3:5. Any larger image would be automatically cropped. In addition, the rich pin description concept was dropped and only used in closeups.
2017- The year 2017 was a revolutionary one for Pinterest users. Users of Pinterest who had previously been penalized for using hashtags could now do it freely. To allow users to categorize their thoughts, a board section was added. Beginning this year, users could also use cameras to use fresh ideas influenced by actual items.
2018- There were also new features like “Profile Covers,” which collected the most recent pins as profile covers, and “Following Tab,” which displayed the users and boards you follow. When the monthly reach was publicly revealed, everyone could access the metrics on your profile. Finally, a new activity tab was introduced that stored pins from your website.
2019-This year, Pinterest underwent a more significant transition when it went public and shifted its focus to eCommerce by introducing shopping features. It evolved into a platform where users could not only find ideas and inspiration but also buy such ideas.
2020- This year, Pinterest created the “Today tab,” which featured popular topics and newly published pins to generate more leads. To increase the variety of content kinds, a new algorithm was introduced that gave preference to recent pins.
2022- In 2021, Story Pins, later known as Idea Pins, were created. But, because they took up a lot of room, regular pins were less viewed.
To give users a better experience, Pinterest frequently changed its algorithm in the past years. But, there will be a lot more changes in 2023 that are already planned. There are more options as far as lifestyle, wellness, and the beauty industries are concerned that will satisfy everyone’s goals regardless of age. The best part is that Pinterest is integrating Augmented Reality (AR) to give its users a more seamless experience.
How to use Pinterest for SEO?
Seo for Pinterest is just as same as you would have done for Google. However, for Pinterest, you just have to do a little additional research on the important keywords for your pins. By improving your business’s Pinterest and making the necessary changes, you can boost the probability of finding your content more easily by the target audience. You will have better visibility when you add the relevant keywords into your pin’s description as a part of sentences rather than hashtags.
You can start doing Pinterest keyword research by using their guided search which you can find at the top of their website. When you do that, you will also be prompted with keyword suggestions that you can use.
You will be shown several suggestions, but don’t go greedy; choose all the keywords you find as suggestions. Instead, only choose the one’s that you find are the most relevant.
There are two most effective ways in which you can use SEO in Pinterest:
Pinterest Pins
While searching for something on Pinterest, many users check for specific pins. To ensure that your image shows first in the majority of searches, there are a few crucial criteria you should stick to.
• Set the name of your image as the name of your blog or the item you are selling, and begin the pin description with your main keyword. After seeing the suitable keyword, description, and image, people will instantly click on your board.
• Keep the description of pins as casual as possible in a conversation format so it is easier for your users to understand.
Pinterest Boards
Pinterest boards are important for any brand as they show the content in one place. These are a collection of related content that users can create on their Pinterest accounts. Users can collect and organize images, videos, and links relating to a specific topic or interest on each board, similar to a virtual bulletin board. To get more people to follow your Pinterest board, follow the tips gives:
• Organize your boards so that the top boards sit in the initial two rows on a desktop site representing your business and describing who you are and what you do. Then, from the most important moving from left to right, bring the most significant ones to the middle.
• Don’t just keep to the desktop version of pinning your board since the majority of Pinterest users will be mobile users. Instead, make the boards mobile-friendly as well.
• Make sure your boards have at least six pins because any fewer may result in empty spots.
• Along with your blogs and products, you should pin other people’s work to your boards since it will provide more varied and versatile content.
What makes Pinterest so important?
Because it has both a search engine and a social network, Pinterest is growing in popularity and now has approximately 100 million monthly active users worldwide. It’s an excellent tool for improving and promoting visual content and finding inspiration for original projects.
You can use Pinterest as a search engine and obtain great results if you want to expand your company or your blog.
More than 65% of users have used Pinterest to make purchases, spotting a range of products from home decor to outfit and dressing ideas like semi-formal wedding attire while conducting searches on the site.
With its feature of Guided Search, it has become beneficial for business owners to find what their target audience wants, making it a blend of targeted advertising tools and search engines.
One way to describe Pinterest is as a place where people can dream and plan what they can do to add creativity to their lives. And in return, Pinterest, through its search, sends a response by searching for products for their user to bring their dreams into reality.
Pinterest as Social Media
Now, there has always been a battle about whether or not Pinterest can be regarded as a social media platform. Well, yes, Pinterest can be regarded as a social media as it has the features to create a network, discuss information and share ideas and videos, collaborate, and connect with people. But when it comes to classifying Pinterest as a social network, that’s where the difficulty rises.
Despite having all the qualities of a social network, Pinterest’s CEO has said that he does not consider the site to be a social media platform. This is because, in his opinion, the purpose of Pinterest was exploration rather than connection. And since the real purpose has nothing to do with building connections or starting interaction, Pinterest cannot be classified as a social network.
Conclusion
Businesses are increasingly using Pinterest as a platform for advertising. It can be an excellent way to connect with potential customers due to its distinctive search algorithms and user-friendly design. Understanding your objectives, spending limit, and target market is ultimately what will determine if Pinterest is the ideal platform for your business. Pinterest might be the platform for you if you’re searching for a practical and focused strategy to connect to customers and drive more traffic to your website. With the right content, time, and resources, businesses can find success on Pinterest.
FAQ
How Pinterest SEO works?
Pinterest SEO is the process of improving the visibility of your content, also known as pins, in search results. Additionally, this will raise the position of your website’s pins in search results.
How Pinterest works for business?
Because Pinterest generates clickable links, there is a good probability that you will receive free traffic when someone pins a picture from your website’s blog. The more people save your images from your Pinterest website, the more consistent visitors you will get for months.
Why is Pinterest the best social media?
The reason Pinterest is the best social media platform is that you can get various information there, including recipes, fashion advice, and outfit inspiration. It is a platform that allows you to share, explore, and discover new ideas and sources of inspiration.
Why Pinterest is good for marketing?
Pinterest is good for marketing as it acts as a highly versatile tool for business and helps turn more leads, boost brand awareness, and drive more traffic to your website.
