Guide to Deleting a Pin on Pinterest

At some point, every Pinterest user or business will face the need to clean up their profile, whether it’s to remove outdated or underperforming Pins, correct mistakes, or simply maintain a cohesive brand image. As your Pinterest strategy evolves, regular content management becomes an essential best practice for long-term success.

‍

By removing outdated or underperforming Pins and updating links, you ensure your content stays relevant, polished, and on-brand. This not only boosts your account’s visual appeal but also signals to Pinterest’s algorithm that your profile is active and high-quality, improving your reach and engagement.

‍

A well-maintained profile prevents broken links and irrelevant Pins from frustrating your audience, building trust, and encouraging repeat visits. Ultimately, consistent clean-up helps you showcase your best content, strengthen your brand presence, and keep your Pinterest marketing strategy performing at its best.

‍

In this article, let’s learn the step-by-step process for deleting pins, challenges in deleting pins and alternatives for deleting pins. 

Understanding Pinterest Pins

A Pin is simply an individual piece of content; an image, video, or Idea Pin, that you upload or save to Pinterest. Each Pin can link to your website, blog, online store, or any destination you want to drive traffic to. 

Pins are discoverable via search, recommendations, and the home feed, making them your primary tool for content distribution.

Now that you understand how to manage your Pins and Boards for optimal organization and reach, let’s uncover the reasons for deleting Pins.

Reasons to Delete a Pin on Pinterest

While Pinterest flourishes on evergreen content, there are situations where deleting Pins is not just justified but strategic for your business. Here’s when and why you should consider removing a Pin:

1. Outdated or Irrelevant Content: Remove Pins tied to old promotions, discontinued products, expired trends, or content that no longer aligns with your brand. This keeps your boards current and prevents misleading your audience.
2. Rebranding or Visual Updates: If you’ve refreshed your logo, color scheme, or brand messaging, deleting Pins with outdated visuals ensures your Pinterest profile remains cohesive and reflects your new identity.
3. Accidental Uploads or Duplicates: Delete mistakenly uploaded images or duplicate Pins quickly to maintain a clean and professional profile.
4. Profile Quality & User Experience: Eliminating low-quality or underperforming Pins declutters your boards, making your best content stand out, and providing a better experience for your followers.

Before deleting, always review Pin analytics to make sure you’re not removing content that’s quietly performing well. When possible, update existing Pins rather than delete, especially if the content is evergreen.

Now that you understand the key reasons for removing outdated, duplicate, or underperforming Pins from your boards, let’s walk through the simple steps to delete a Pin on Pinterest.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Delete a Pin on Pinterest (Desktop)

Deleting a Pin on Pinterest is straightforward when you know where to look. Here’s exactly how you can do it from your desktop:

1. Navigate to Your Pinterest Account

• Log In: Open your preferred browser and go to pinterest.com. Enter your credentials to log in to your account.

• Access Your Profile: Click your profile icon in the top-right corner. This will bring you to your Pinterest home profile, where all your boards and Pins are organized.

2. Locate the Pin You Want to Delete

• Go to Boards: Browse through your boards to find the Pin you want to remove. You can also use the search bar within your profile to search for a Pin by its keywords or description.
  

• Open the Board: Click on the board that contains the Pin.
• Find the Pin: Scroll through the board or use “organize” mode to quickly locate the specific Pin.

3. Delete the Pin: Step-by-Step

• Hover Over the Pin: When you find the Pin, hover your mouse over it. Three dots (•••) or an “edit” icon will appear on the corner of the Pin.
  

• Click on the Dots/Edit Icon: Select this icon to open a dropdown menu of options.
• Choose “Edit Pin” (if required): In some layouts, you’ll need to click “Edit Pin” first.
• Select “Delete”: Within the options, click the “Delete” button (it may be labeled as “Delete Pin”).
  

• Confirm Deletion: Pinterest will prompt you to confirm that you want to delete the Pin. This step prevents accidental deletions. Click “Delete” again to finalize.

4. What Happens After Deletion?

• Permanent Removal: Once deleted, the Pin is permanently removed from your board and Pinterest. It cannot be restored, so double-check before you confirm.
• Effect on Repins: If your Pin was saved by other users, only the original on your board is deleted. Copies saved by others remain on their boards unless they choose to remove them.

If you prefer managing your Pinterest account on the go, you’ll be glad to know that deleting Pins is just as simple from your mobile device. 

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Delete a Pin on Pinterest (Mobile App)

Deleting Pins you no longer want on your Pinterest boards is quick and easy, whether you’re decluttering your account or simply removing outdated content. Here’s how to do it using the Pinterest app on iOS or Android:

1. Open the Pinterest App on Your Mobile Device

• Launch the Pinterest app from your iPhone or Android device.
• Ensure you’re logged in to the account where the Pin is saved.

2. Navigate to Your Profile

• Tap your profile picture icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
• This will open your Pinterest profile, displaying your boards and saved Pins.
  

3. Locate the Pin You Want to Delete

• Browse your boards or use the search bar at the top to quickly find the board containing the Pin.
• Tap to open the relevant board.
• Scroll through the board and tap on the specific Pin you wish to delete.
  

4. Access the Pin’s Options Menu

• Long-press on the pin.
• Tap the menu to see more options related to this Pin.
  

5. Select “Edit Pin” or “Delete Pin”

• In the menu, you’ll see several actions. Choose “Edit Pin” or directly “Delete Pin” depending on your app version.
• On some devices, you may need to tap “Edit” first, and then find the Delete option at the bottom.
  

6. Confirm Deletion

• The app will ask for confirmation to prevent accidental deletions.
• Tap “Delete” (or “Yes, Delete”) when prompted.

Note: This action cannot be undone. The Pin will be permanently removed from your board.

Now that you know how to delete Pins on mobile, let’s explore how to delete multiple Pins all at once.

How to Delete Multiple Pins at Once (Bulk Deletion)

Bulk deletion is an efficient way to maintain a polished Pinterest presence without the tedium of removing Pins one by one.

When Should You Use Bulk Deletion?

Bulk deletion makes sense in several scenarios:

• Outdated Campaigns: Seasonal promotions or limited-time events that are no longer relevant.
• Brand Refresh: Updating your Pinterest boards to align with new branding or product offerings.
• Improving Engagement: Removing Pins with consistently low engagement to focus on top performers and keep your analytics accurate.
• Housekeeping: Clearing duplicate Pins or reorganizing cluttered boards.

How to Use Pinterest’s Built-In Bulk Selection Tools

Pinterest offers built-in tools for selecting and deleting multiple Pins at once, saving you valuable time.

Step-by-Step Process for Bulk Deletion:

1. Navigate to Your Board: Go to the board containing the Pins you want to delete.
   

1. Select Organize: On the board page, click the “Organize” button.

3. Choose Pins: Click on each Pin you want to delete. You’ll see a checkmark appear as you select them.

4. Delete Selected Pins: Once you’ve selected all the Pins for removal, click the “Delete” option at the bottom of the screen. Confirm your choice to permanently remove the selected Pins.
   

Warnings and Cautions

• Deletion is Permanent: Once you delete Pins, they cannot be recovered. Double-check your selection before confirming.
• Analytics Impact: Deleting Pins can affect your analytics history, especially if the Pins being deleted have historical engagement or contributed to previous campaign results.
• Link Loss: If any Pins you delete were driving referral traffic, you’ll lose that source of visitors.

Before you bulk delete, consider exporting your Pinterest analytics for reference. This way, you’ll still have access to engagement metrics for Pins you’re about to remove.

While bulk deletion is straightforward, users sometimes encounter challenges, such as Pins that won’t delete, glitches in selection, or accidental removals. Let’s explore how to troubleshoot common issues while deleting pins.

Troubleshooting Common Challenges When Deleting Pins

You may encounter a few obstacles when trying to remove Pins from your account. Let’s address the most common issues and how to resolve them:

1. Pin Not Deleting or Reappearing: Occasionally, a Pin may not disappear immediately after you delete it. This is often due to caching issues or temporary glitches on the platform. If you notice a deleted Pin reappearing:

• Refresh your browser or app and check your board again.
• Log out and log back into your Pinterest account.
• Clear your browser’s cache if you’re on desktop, or restart the app on mobile.
• Wait a few minutes; sometimes, changes take time to sync across devices.

2. Unable to Delete Pins on Mobile: If you’re having trouble deleting Pins on the Pinterest mobile app:

• Ensure your app is updated to the latest version.
• Try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data, as network issues may interrupt changes.
• If the delete option doesn’t appear, long-press on the Pin, select "Edit," and look for the delete (trash can) icon.
  
  

3. Pins Linked to Group Boards: If you’re not the owner of a group board, you may be unable to delete Pins from it. In this case:

• You can only remove Pins you personally added.
• To completely remove a Pin from the group board, ask the board owner to delete it, or remove yourself as a collaborator if necessary.

4. Accidentally deleted the Wrong Pin: Once a Pin is deleted, it’s typically permanent and cannot be recovered. If you’ve accidentally deleted an important Pin:

• Check your browser history for the image or linked URL to recreate the Pin.
• If you used PinMaker or another tool to schedule your Pins, check your content library for backup copies.

5. Bulk Deletion Not Working: Pinterest allows you to delete multiple Pins at once, but this feature may not always work as expected:

• Make sure you select Pins in the correct board and use the "Organize" feature, then tap "Delete."
• If you encounter errors, delete Pins in smaller batches.

6. Error Messages or Account Restrictions: If you receive error messages when deleting Pins or your account seems restricted:

• You may have hit Pinterest’s rate limits. Wait an hour or two and try again.
• Review Pinterest’s Community Guidelines to ensure your account is in good standing.

Multiple users have reported similar challenges on platforms like Quora and Reddit, where they describe Pins reappearing after deletion or the delete option not showing at all.

In many of these cases, the issue is temporary or tied to device-specific bugs or app version mismatches. To resolve them:

• Try updating the Pinterest app to the latest version.
• Switch to desktop if mobile deletion fails or vice versa.
• Clear your cache or log out and log back in.
• Report the issue to Pinterest support if it persists.

These real-world discussions show that even experienced users occasionally run into technical hiccups. By proactively addressing these common challenges, you can keep your Pinterest boards organized and aligned with your business goals.

If you’re reconsidering how your Pins are organized or want to optimize their performance, it’s not always necessary to delete existing Pins. Let’s explore the alternatives to deleting pins.

Alternatives to Deleting Pins

You can consider these smarter alternatives to maximize the value of your existing content while keeping your profile organized and relevant, instead of deleting them.

1. Archive Pins or Boards for Seasonal or Temporary Content

• Archiving removes Pins or boards from public view and search results, but retains all the engagement data and repins associated with them. 
• This approach keeps your profile tidy without sacrificing the historical value of those Pins. When the season rolls around again, simply unarchive to restore visibility.

2. Edit Pin Details Instead of Deleting

• Sometimes, a Pin underperforms not because of the image, but due to outdated descriptions, weak calls-to-action, or irrelevant links. 
• Before deleting, try refreshing the Pin by updating its title, description, or URL. Optimizing these elements with relevant keywords or current offers can give the Pin a new lease on life and help it rank better in search results. 
• Pinterest rewards active and improved content, so simple edits can often lead to a surge in engagement.

3. Move Pins to Secret Boards for Future Use

• If you want to declutter your public boards but aren’t ready to part with certain Pins, moving them to secret boards is an effective way. 
• Secret boards are visible only to you (and any invited collaborators). Use them to store Pins you may want to repurpose, update, or bring back later. 
• This way, you retain access to creative assets, analytics, and inspiration without crowding your public-facing profile.

Taking advantage of these alternatives not only preserves the hard-earned value of your Pins but also supports a more strategic, sustainable approach to content management on Pinterest. Now, let’s explore the common mistakes to avoid while deleting pins.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Deleting Pins

Deleting Pins on Pinterest may seem like a quick fix for cleaning up your boards, but it can backfire if you aren’t strategic. Avoiding these common mistakes ensures you protect your traffic, engagement, and hard-earned results:

1. Accidentally Deleting High-Performing Pins: One of the biggest pitfalls is removing Pins that continue to generate clicks, saves, or website traffic. Always check your analytics before deleting any Pin. A Pin that looks outdated to you might still be a top traffic driver.

2. Not Checking Analytics First: Don’t rush into deleting. Review your Pinterest Analytics to identify Pins with strong performance metrics such as high impressions, saves, or outbound clicks. If a Pin is still delivering results, even if it’s older, leave it up.

3. Removing Content That Still Drives Traffic or Engagement: Some Pins have a long shelf life and continue to bring visitors months after posting. Deleting such Pins interrupts ongoing referral traffic and can reduce your overall board authority.

4. Deleting Pins Without Updating Links or Content Elsewhere: If you must delete a Pin due to broken links, expired offers, or product discontinuation, make sure you update or replace the destination content first. Redirect users where possible to avoid broken experiences and lost potential leads.

Before you hit delete, ask yourself: Is this Pin still bringing value to my audience or my brand? If the answer is yes, consider leaving it up, refreshing the design, or updating the link/content instead of deleting.

Managing and optimizing your Pinterest presence requires time and strategic effort, but the right tools can make all the difference. PinMaker helps you streamline everything from Pin creation to scheduling and analytics so you can grow your business efficiently and with confidence. 

How PinMaker Can Help With Pinterest Content Management

Managing and optimizing your Pinterest presence can feel overwhelming, especially as your content library grows. PinMaker makes it easy to keep your Pinterest strategy fresh, effective, and data-driven.

1. Effortlessly Redesign and Update Pins: Instead of deleting underperforming or outdated Pins, PinMaker lets you quickly redesign and refresh them with new visuals, headlines, or calls to action. 

2. Schedule Fresh, Optimized Pins for Ongoing Growth: PinMaker’s advanced scheduling features empower you to plan and automate your pinning strategy with precision. This consistency not only boosts your visibility but also supports long-term account growth.

3. Leverage Built-In Analytics for Smarter Decisions: PinMaker’s built-in analytics dashboard provides actionable insights into your Pin performance. Easily track which Pins are driving traffic, engagement, and conversions. With these insights, you can make informed decisions about which Pins to update, repurpose, or retire, ensuring your content strategy always aligns with what works best for your audience.

4. Streamline Content Repurposing: Repurposing high-performing content is easy with PinMaker. Simply duplicate a successful Pin, change the design or description, and schedule it for a new board or audience segment. This allows you to maximize the value of your top Pins without starting from scratch every time.

5. Collaborate and Scale With Ease: PinMaker supports multi-user collaboration, so your team can work together on content creation, scheduling, and analytics, all in one place. Assign roles, track revisions, and maintain brand consistency across every Pin your business publishes.

Ready to streamline your content management on Pinterest? Sign up with PinMaker

FAQs

Q1. Why should I delete Pins from my Pinterest account?
A: You should consider deleting Pins that are outdated, irrelevant, underperforming, duplicated, or no longer align with your brand. Regularly removing such Pins helps maintain a clean, cohesive, and high-performing profile.

Q2. Will deleting a Pin remove it from other people’s boards?
A: No, deleting a Pin only removes it from your own board. If others have saved or repinned it, their copies will remain unless they choose to delete them.

Q3. Can I recover a Pin after I delete it?
A: No, deleting a Pin is permanent and cannot be undone. Always double-check before confirming deletion, and consider alternatives like editing or archiving.

Q4. What’s the difference between deleting and archiving a Pin or board?
A: Deleting removes the Pin or board permanently. Archiving hides it from public view while preserving analytics and engagement data, making it useful for seasonal or temporarily inactive content.

Q5. Can I delete multiple Pins at once?
A: Yes, Pinterest allows bulk deletion using the “Organize” feature within a board. Simply select multiple Pins and click “Delete.” Be cautious, as this action is also permanent.

Q6. Why do some Pins reappear after I delete them?
A: This usually happens due to temporary platform glitches or cached data. Refresh your page, log out and in again, or clear your browser/app cache to fix the issue.

Q7. What should I do if I can’t delete a Pin from a group board?
A: You can only delete Pins you added yourself. If you’re not the owner of the group board, ask the board owner to remove it or remove yourself as a collaborator if needed.

Q8. Is it better to delete or update an underperforming Pin?
A: Whenever possible, update the Pin instead of deleting it. You can refresh the design, description, or URL to boost its performance while preserving its existing engagement.

Q9. What happens to analytics data after deleting Pins?
A: Once a Pin is deleted, its performance data will no longer be available in your analytics. If you want to keep a record, export your analytics before deletion.

Q10. How can PinMaker help with Pinterest content management?
A: PinMaker simplifies your Pinterest strategy by offering tools for redesigning Pins, scheduling posts, analyzing performance, repurposing content, and collaborating with your team, all in one dashboard.