How to Get Started with Pinterest Affiliate Marketing

Do you know your favorite platform for creative ideas could also help you make money? Turn those Pinterest sessions into a chance to earn money with affiliate marketing!

Pinterest is a powerful platform that helps marketers drive traffic through visual discovery. Unlike other social media platforms, users on Pinterest are often in a purchasing mindset, actively seeking inspiration and products. With the right strategies, you can turn Pinterest into a channel for affiliate marketing success.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to get started with Pinterest affiliate marketing.

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based strategy where you earn a commission by promoting someone else’s product or service. Instead of owning the product, your role is to connect potential buyers with it through your unique affiliate link.

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Affiliate marketing works as follows:

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• You sign up for an affiliate program: This gives you access to special tracking links.
• You share those links: On platforms like Pinterest, your blog, or social media.
• You earn a commission: When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase.

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The beauty of affiliate marketing lies in its low barrier to entry and passive income potential. You don’t need to handle inventory, shipping, or customer service. Once your content is out there, it can continue to drive traffic and earn commissions over time, especially on Pinterest, where content has a long shelf life.

Pinterest: A Platform For Affiliate Marketing

Here's why Pinterest stands out for affiliate marketing success:

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1. Pinterest users have purchase intent:  85% of Pinterest’s weekly users have purchased the products after using Pinterest. Users seek ideas for shopping, events, and creative projects.
2. Many Pinterest users are shopping: 89% of Pinners use Pinterest to plan purchases, while 50% frequently use Pinterest to shop. Compared to platforms like Instagram or TikTok, Pinterest users are often further along in the buying journey, making them more likely to convert.
3. Users view Pinterest as a valuable shopping site: 90% of weekly active pinners say Pinterest helps them decide what to purchase, and 70% use the site to find new products. This unique shopping mindset makes Pinterest an ideal platform for affiliate marketing campaigns in lifestyle, home improvement, and fashion.

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By tapping into Pinterest’s high-intent audience and leveraging strategic design elements, you can set yourself up for affiliate marketing success. Let’s now understand the user demographics of Pinterest.

Understanding The Pinterest User Demographics

Knowing who’s on Pinterest helps you align your affiliate strategy with the audience most likely to engage and convert. Let’s explore:

• Millennials (25–34): Home, finance, fashion.
• Gen Z (18–24): Self-care, creative inspo.
• Gen X (35–54): Parenting, lifestyle, seasonal ideas.
• Women: 70% of users, often household decision-makers.
• Men & Non-Binary Users: Growing, especially in tech, fitness and finance.
• Income Levels: Middle to high-income users who plan purchases

Now that we understand the Pinterest user demographics, let’s explore the benefits of Pinterest for Affiliate Marketing.

Benefits of Pinterest for Affiliate Marketers

1. Visual-First Platform

Pinterest’s visual layout makes it easier for marketers to showcase products creatively, increasing the likelihood of engagement and clicks.

2. Evergreen Content Model

Unlike social media posts that fade within hours or days, Pinterest pins continue driving traffic for months or even years, providing long-term value.

3. High-Intent Audience

Pinterest users actively seek solutions and ideas, making them more receptive to well-positioned product recommendations and affiliate links.

4. Search-Based Discovery

As a visual search engine, Pinterest allows marketers to optimize pins for discoverability using keywords, hashtags, and SEO techniques.

But before jumping in, it's essential to craft a thoughtful plan tailored to your audience and goals. Let's craft your perfect marketing plan!

Building Your Pinterest Affiliate Marketing Roadmap

For promoting your own products and driving traffic to third-party sites, proper planning is required. Here's how to get started:

Drive Traffic to Third-Party Affiliate Sites

• Partner with affiliate networks like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or CJ Affiliate to monetize your Pinterest content.
• Share engaging, solution-oriented content that provides genuine value and links users to products on external sites.
• Create comparison pins, product round-ups, or tips-and-tricks visuals to offer context around the affiliate product you're promoting.

Affiliate Networks That Work Best on Pinterest

When choosing an affiliate network for your Pinterest strategy, it’s important to match the platform’s strengths with your niche:

• Amazon Associates is a go-to for everyday items and trending products. It's beginner-friendly and performs well on Pinterest due to the wide product variety and trust factor.
• If you're in the fashion or beauty niche, RewardStyle (LIKEtoKNOW.it) is practically made for Pinterest. With its curated, aesthetic product feeds and built-in Pinterest integrations, it’s a top choice for visual-first content.
• ShareASale is great for niches like home décor, kitchen gadgets, and DIY. Many of its partner brands align perfectly with the Pinterest audience’s interests and intent.
• For niches like tech and finance, Impact can be a good fit, though it’s more effective if you have strong visuals or educational-style content. Pinterest-friendliness here depends on how well you creatively frame the offer.

Feeling ready to take that next step on your Pinterest journey? Let's discuss the key considerations you need to keep in mind before starting your Pinterest affiliate journey.

Steps to Start Pinterest Affiliate Marketing

By carefully following the steps outlined below, you’ll be equipped to drive meaningful traffic and generate affiliate sales on one of the world’s leading visual discovery platforms.

1. Understand Pinterest's Affiliate Guidelines

Before getting deeper into affiliate marketing on Pinterest, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the platform's rules:​

• No Link Cloaking: Pinterest prohibits shortening or concealing affiliate links. Ensure your links are transparent so users know where they're being directed.
• Clear Disclosure: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) mandates that affiliate content be labeled appropriately. Use disclaimers like "sponsored" or "affiliate" on your pins and landing pages.
• Avoid Fake Accounts: Creating alias accounts to repin your content violates Pinterest's guidelines.​

Non-compliance can lead to reduced visibility or account suspension. Always prioritize transparency and value in your content.​

2. Create Multiple Pins for Each Affiliate Link

Don’t rely on just one Pin per link. Creating multiple visually distinct Pins boosts your reach and increases the chances of getting noticed by different audiences.

How to Do It:

• Switch Up the Visuals: Use varied layouts, colors, and image styles (e.g., flat lays, product-in-use, lifestyle scenes)
• Try Different Headlines: Highlight unique benefits in each Pin.
  
  • “Top 5 Skincare Picks Under ₹999”
  • “This Serum Transformed My Skin in 7 Days”
• Use Unique Keywords: Tailor titles and descriptions to different search intents using long-tail keywords and niche hashtags.
• Track What Works: Use Pinterest Analytics or affiliate dashboards to monitor clicks and conversions for each variation.

Use PinMaker to generate multiple SEO-optimized Pins and titles automatically.

By diversifying your Pin designs and descriptions for each affiliate link, you increase your visibility, boost engagement, and give your content more opportunities to go viral.

3. Experiment with Various Pin Formats

Engage users by utilizing different pin formats:​

• Standard Pins: Single images with descriptions.​
• Video Pins: Short videos showcasing products or tutorials.​
• Carousel Pins: Multiple images that users can swipe through.​
• Story Pins: Multi-page pins that tell a story or provide step-by-step guides.​

Testing various formats can help identify what resonates best with your audience.​

4. Enable Rich Pins

Rich Pins pull additional information from your website, enhancing the pin's value:​

• Product Pins: Display real-time pricing, availability, and where to buy.​
• Article Pins: Show the headline, author, and story description.​
• Recipe Pins: Include ingredients, cooking times, and serving sizes.​

To enable Rich Pins, you'll need to add specific meta tags to your website and validate them through Pinterest.

5. Schedule Pins in Advance

Consistency is key on Pinterest. Use scheduling tools to maintain a regular posting cadence:​

• PinMaker: A Pinterest optimization tool that helps you generate SEO-optimized titles, descriptions, and smart hashtags while also offering scheduling features to keep your content consistent and searchable.
• Pinterest's Native Scheduler: You can schedule pins up to two weeks in advance directly on the platform.​

Regular posting keeps your content fresh and increases visibility.

6. Pin to Group Boards

Group boards help you amplify reach by tapping into audiences beyond your followers.

How to Use Group Boards:

• Find Active Boards: Search keywords in your niche.
• Request Access Respectfully: Follow the board’s instructions for joining.
• Be a Quality Contributor: Pin your best content, follow the rules, and engage occasionally with other contributors.

With PinMaker, you can prepare a batch of SEO-optimized pins and titles in advance, making it easy to keep your group board contributions consistent and high-quality.

Joining and contributing to group boards strategically can accelerate your Pinterest affiliate marketing by putting your content in front of new, highly targeted audiences.

7. Optimize for SEO

Pinterest is a powerful search engine. To ensure your pins reach the right audience and gain visibility in search results, optimizing for Pinterest SEO is non-negotiable.

SEO Essentials:

• Use Targeted Keywords in Pin titles, descriptions, boards, and profile bio.
• Write Benefit-Driven Descriptions that include your keywords and a subtle CTA like “Click to shop.”
• Add 3–5 Relevant Hashtags to help Pinterest categorize your content.
• Don’t Skip Alt Text: Use a descriptive sentence that includes your keyword.

When your pins are optimized with Pinterest’s search algorithm in mind, you’re far more likely to appear in search results, suggested content, and smart feeds, bringing consistent traffic to your affiliate links.

Along with optimizing your pins for keywords and search, staying aligned with what’s trending can further increase your pin visibility.

8. Pinterest Trends & Seasonal Content Strategy

Pinterest is a seasonal search engine. From “fall outfit ideas” to “New Year fitness goals,” user searches spike around holidays, events, and changing seasons. 

Pinterest is built around planning. Users often search weeks, sometimes months, before major events. Tapping into these trends means you can place your affiliate content right in front of users when they’re most likely to buy.

How to Use Pinterest Trends for Affiliate Strategy:

• Discover What’s Rising: Use Pinterest Trends to find out what topics are currently popular or gaining traction. Filter by region and time frame to localize your efforts.
• Align Content With Seasonal Peaks: Plan your content calendar around high-intent seasonal topics like “summer skincare,” “Diwali gifts,” or “back-to-school essentials.”
• Match Products to Trends: Promote affiliate products that solve seasonal needs or tie directly into trending topics. For example, if “home office setup” is trending, link to ergonomic chairs or lighting solutions.
• Create Seasonal Pin Variations: Update headlines and visuals to reflect the current season, even for evergreen products. A fresh seasonal spin can make a familiar item newly relevant.

Combine Pinterest Trends insights with PinMaker's keyword generator to create optimized titles and pin descriptions that sync with what people are already searching for.

By staying on top of Pinterest Trends, you can keep your content timely, relevant, and in front of buyers, right when they’re ready to make a purchase.

9. Optimize Your Pinterest Profile

A well-optimized profile builds instant trust, boosts credibility, and signals to Pinterest and users that you’re a serious content creator or business.

Here’s how to polish your profile to make a strong first impression:

• Professional Profile Picture: Use a high-quality headshot if you’re a personal brand, or a clean, recognizable logo if you represent a business. Ensure it’s consistent with your branding across other platforms for recognition and trust-building.
• Keyword-Optimized Bio: In 160 characters, clearly state who you help, what you offer, and why people should follow you. Example: “Helping busy moms find affordable, stylish home decor. DIY tips, budget hacks & cozy vibes.” Don’t forget to include niche keywords like “DIY home decor” or “budget-friendly recipes” to improve search visibility.
• Clickable Website Link: Add a link to your affiliate landing page, blog, or store. If you don’t have a full site yet, use tools like Linktree to direct users to multiple affiliate destinations. This helps drive traffic directly from your profile to your monetized pages.
• Branded Cover Image: You can feature a Pinterest board as your cover, choose one that reflects your niche, showcases your best Pins, or introduces new followers to your content theme.

Keep your profile and bio updated seasonally or when launching new content campaigns to stay relevant and timely.

10. Build an Email List

While Pinterest can drive massive traffic to your affiliate content, an email list helps you convert that traffic into loyal followers and repeat buyers. Unlike social media platforms where visibility is algorithm-dependent, your email list is audience-owned, giving you direct access to potential customers anytime.

Here’s how to use Pinterest effectively to grow your email list:

• Offer Irresistible Lead Magnets: Create free, high-value resources that solve a specific problem for your audience. Think along the lines of:
  
  • eBooks (e.g., “10 Quick Keto Recipes for Beginners”)
  • Printable checklists (e.g., “Home Declutter Checklist”)
  • Free templates or planners
  • Exclusive discount codes or product trials. Promote these lead magnets through dedicated pins that drive users to your opt-in form.
• Use Dedicated Landing Pages: Instead of linking directly to affiliate products in every Pin, guide users to a high-converting landing page designed to capture email addresses. Keep the layout simple, include a clear CTA, and focus on one goal: getting that subscription.
• Create Pinterest-Specific Funnels: Once someone signs up, set up an email sequence that educates, nurtures, and subtly introduces affiliate offers. These funnels can include tutorials, curated product recommendations, and personal stories building trust before asking for a sale.

Simple 4-Step Email Funnel for Affiliate Success:

• Email 1: Welcome + Freebie Delivery
  Thank your new subscriber, deliver the promised lead magnet, and give a quick intro to who you are and how you help.
• Email 2: Problem/Solution

Identify a common pain point related to your niche and introduce an affiliate product as a helpful solution.

• Email 3: Personal Story or Testimonial
  Share your experience using the product or a relatable story from a user. Authenticity boosts trust and click-throughs.
  
  
• Email 4: Product Comparison + Call-to-Action
  Break down two or three product options and explain which one you recommend and why. End with a strong CTA to check it out.

This simple funnel keeps your subscribers engaged and primes them for conversion, all while delivering genuine value. Combine it with Pinterest traffic, and you’ve got a powerful passive income engine.

Building an engaged email list through Pinterest traffic not only increases conversions but also diversifies your income potential beyond a single platform.

11. Analyze Pin Performance

To grow your Pinterest affiliate marketing efforts effectively, you need to go beyond creating and posting content, you need to analyze what’s actually driving results. Pinterest Analytics gives you a data-backed understanding of how your Pins are performing, so you can replicate success and fix what’s not working.

Key Metrics to Monitor:

• Impressions: This shows how many times your Pins appeared in users’ feeds or search results. A high impression count indicates good keyword usage and SEO, but it’s not enough on its own.
• Saves (Repins): This metric reflects how valuable users find your content. If people are saving your Pins, they’re interested enough to return later or share with others, this boosts organic reach through Pinterest’s algorithm.
• Outbound Clicks: The most critical metric for affiliate marketers. Outbound clicks tell you how many users clicked through to your blog, landing page, or affiliate product. A high click-through rate (CTR) indicates your visual, title, and description are aligned and persuasive.

Tips for Using Analytics Effectively:

• Identify Top Performers: Look at which pins consistently receive the most clicks and saves. Repurpose or re-promote these high-performing Pins with updated designs or captions to extend their reach.
• A/B Test Designs: Try posting multiple versions of the same affiliate content with different headlines, image styles, or CTAs. See which design converts better.
• Refine Your Posting Schedule: Use engagement data to determine the best times and days to post. Scheduling tools like PinMaker can help automate posting based on when your audience is most active.
• Evaluate SEO Impact: Review which keywords are associated with your top-performing Pins. This can guide your future keyword targeting in descriptions, titles, and board names.

Analyzing your Pin performance consistently allows you to evolve your Pinterest affiliate strategy with precision, maximizing traffic, engagement, and ultimately, conversions.

12. Promote High-Performing Pins

Don’t let your best-performing Pins fade into the background. Once you’ve identified the content that’s gaining traction, whether through saves, clicks, or conversions, it’s time to amplify that success strategically.

Here’s how to get more mileage from top Pins:

• Repin to Multiple Relevant Boards: Re-sharing your high-performing Pins across different boards with related themes increases their exposure to new audiences. Just ensure each board is relevant to the Pin topic to maintain engagement and avoid looking spammy.
• Refresh the Design & Messaging: Update the visual appeal of your top Pins with new colors, layouts, or imagery while keeping the core content the same. Refresh the headline, tweak the description, or update the CTA to make it timely (e.g., aligning with seasonal promotions or current trends).
• Utilize Lifecycle of a Pin & Repurpose Content: Pinterest content can live for months or years. Knowing when and how to refresh or re-share older pins can drastically improve ROI. Repurpose old pins with updated designs, seasonal headlines, or new keywords to keep them fresh, and use analytics to identify declining pins and re-optimize them.
• Create Variations of the Same Pin: Design 2–3 different versions of the same Pin linking to the same affiliate product or blog post. Each version can target different keywords or feature different selling points, increasing your chances of reaching a broader audience.
• Leverage Pinterest Ads (Promoted Pins): Consider investing in Promoted Pins to get your best content in front of highly targeted users. Pinterest’s ad platform allows you to define your audience by interests, keywords, demographics, and behaviors, which is perfect for affiliate marketers looking to scale.
• Combine organic promotion with paid amplification for exponential visibility. Promote Pins that are already performing well instead of starting from scratch.

By consistently repurposing, refreshing, and strategically promoting your most successful Pins, you turn top-performing content into long-term traffic and sales drivers.

13. Tag a Product

Pinterest's product tagging feature can dramatically increase conversions by making it easier for users to shop directly from your Pins.

What Is Product Tagging on Pinterest?

Product tagging allows you to tag specific products within your standard Pins or Idea Pins using affiliate links or catalog-connected product URLs. When users tap on these tags, they’re taken directly to the product page, reducing friction in the buying process and improving the chances of a sale.

Benefits of Tagging Products:

• Increase click-through rates by making your Pins interactive and actionable.
• Helps users discover and purchase affiliate products faster.
• Enhances shopping experience by clearly connecting visual inspiration with purchasable items.
• Aligns with Pinterest’s push toward becoming a full-funnel shopping platform.

How to Tag Products on Pinterest:

1. Create or Edit a Pin (Standard or Idea Pin).
2. Select “Tag Products” during the creation or editing phase.
3. Paste your affiliate link or product URL (ensure it follows Pinterest’s affiliate policy and is from an approved source).
4. Pinterest will auto-pull product information from the link. You can confirm and place the tag directly on your visual.
5. Save and publish the Pin. Users will now be able to click or tap the tag to shop instantly.

Use product tagging in lifestyle or tutorial-style pins where the product feels naturally integrated. For example, in a “Fall Home Decor” Pin, tag the throw pillows, blankets, or lighting featured in the image.

By tagging products smartly and strategically, you make your affiliate content not just engaging but instantly actionable.

Want to up your Pinterest game even further? Here's how GetPinMaker.com can be your ultimate ally.

How PinMaker Helps Pinterest Affiliate Marketing

PinMaker is a pioneer in creating high-quality, attention-grabbing pins that convert. With its user-friendly design tools, you can easily craft visually stunning pins for your affiliate marketing campaigns.

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The platform offers customizable templates, built-in call-to-action buttons, and mobile-responsive designs, ensuring your pins stand out and drive clicks. 

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Additionally, PinMaker helps optimize your pins for SEO, so they’re discoverable in Pinterest’s search results. Pinmaker will insert Amazon affiliate links to your articles, eliminating the need for manual linking. Whether you're promoting your own products or affiliate links, it simplifies the process and boosts your chances of affiliate success on Pinterest.

Start crafting stunning, high-performing pins with ease. Visit PinMaker now and take your Pinterest marketing game to the next level.

FAQs

Q: Is affiliate marketing allowed on Pinterest?

A: Yes, Pinterest allows affiliate marketing. However, it's essential to follow their guidelines and disclose affiliate links appropriately.

Q: Do I need a website to do affiliate marketing on Pinterest?

A: While having a website can enhance your credibility and provide a platform for more in-depth content, it's not mandatory. You can direct users straight to affiliate links or product pages.

Q: How often should I post on Pinterest?

A: Consistency is key. Aim to post regularly, but focus on quality over quantity.