How to Do Pinterest Keyword Research

If you've started using Pinterest for your ecommerce business, you've probably heard people talk about keywords.

But then you open Pinterest and think...

"Where do I actually find them?"

I remember feeling exactly the same when I first started using Pinterest. I was used to SEO and Google, but Pinterest worked differently. Once I understood how Pinterest tells you exactly what people are searching for, everything became much simpler.

Now, keyword research is one of the first things I do for every ecommerce client because it helps us create content that gets found months after it's published.

The good news?

You don't need expensive software or years of SEO experience.

Pinterest gives you most of the information for free.

---

The short answer

Pinterest keyword research is simply finding the words your customers are already typing into Pinterest.

Those words help Pinterest understand what your Pins, boards and blog posts are about, making it much easier for the right people to discover your products.

Think of it like putting the correct label on a storage box.

If the label is accurate, people can find what's inside.

Why keyword research matters

Unlike Instagram, where most people discover content while scrolling, Pinterest works much more like Google.

People actively search.

They already know what they're looking for.

That means your job isn't to convince Pinterest what your content is about.

It's to match the language your customers are already using.

If someone searches for:

• minimalist living room ideas

• neutral bedroom decor

• wedding guest dresses

• leather crossbody bag

Pinterest wants to show the most relevant content.

If your keywords match that search, you've got a much better chance of appearing.

Step 1: Start typing into Pinterest

This is the easiest place to begin.

Go to Pinterest and start typing something related to your products.

Don't press Enter.

Just watch what Pinterest suggests underneath.

Those suggestions aren't random.

They're based on real searches people are making.

For example, if you sell handbags, you might type:

handbag

Pinterest may suggest:

• handbag outfit

• handbag organisation

• handbag essentials

• luxury handbag

• black handbag

Each suggestion is a keyword people are already searching for.

Write them all down.

Step 2: Look at the coloured keyword tiles

Now search one of those phrases.

At the top of the results page you'll usually see small coloured keyword boxes.

These are related searches.

They help you understand exactly what people want.

For example, someone searching for:

luxury handbag

might also be searching for:

• outfit

• capsule wardrobe

• travel

• work

• everyday

These extra words can become future blog topics, board names and Pin titles.

Step 3: Study what Pinterest is already showing

Don't just collect keywords.

Look at the Pins ranking at the top.

Ask yourself:

• What words are they using?

• What style of images appear most often?

• Are they tutorials?

• Product photos?

• Lifestyle images?

• Blog graphics?

Pinterest is already showing you what it believes people want to see.

That's valuable information.

Step 4: Think like your customer

One mistake I see a lot is businesses using internal product names.

Your customer probably isn't searching for:

"The Porto Collection." or whatever YOU call YOUR collection

They're searching for:

• men's weekend bag

• leather travel bag

• overnight bag

• luxury holdall

Always think about what someone would type before they've discovered your brand.

If they don't know you exist yet, they can't search for your product names.

Step 5: Keep your keywords organised

Once you've gathered your keywords, save them somewhere you'll actually use them.

I recommend creating a simple spreadsheet with columns for:

• Primary keyword

• Related keywords

• Blog idea

• Pin title

• Pinterest board

That way, every time you create new content, you already know which keywords you're targeting.

It also stops you researching the same topics over and over again.

Where should you use your keywords?

Finding keywords is only half the job.

You also need to use them naturally.

Good places include:

• your Pin title

• your Pin description

• your board names

• your board descriptions

• your blog title

• blog headings

• image file names where appropriate

Don't try to squeeze every keyword into every sentence.

Write naturally.

If it sounds forced, it probably is.

Common keyword research mistakes

1. Only targeting broad keywords

Broad keywords are often very competitive.

Instead of targeting handbags, you might target small leather crossbody bag or black work handbag.

Specific searches usually attract people who know what they want.

2. Guessing instead of checking

Don't assume you know what customers search.

Pinterest tells you.

Use the search bar first.

3. Chasing search volume

The biggest keyword isn't always the best one.

A smaller, more specific search often brings visitors who are much closer to buying.

4. Researching once and forgetting about it

Pinterest trends change throughout the year.

Refresh your keyword research regularly, especially before seasonal events like

Christmas, summer holidays or wedding season.

Quick recap

Pinterest keyword research doesn't have to be complicated.

Remember these five steps:

• Start typing into Pinterest and collect the search suggestions.

• Look at the related keyword tiles.

• Study the Pins already ranking.

• Think like your customer, not your brand.

• Keep everything organised so you can reuse it.

That's it.

The more you practise, the quicker it becomes.

Before long, you'll start spotting content ideas everywhere.

What to do next

If you're tired of researching the same keywords every time you create a Pin, I've put together a Pinterest Keyword Workbook that makes the process much quicker.

It's the same workbook I use in my Pinterest Search to Sales System before planning content for ecommerce brands, with space to organise your keywords, group them into topics and turn them into blog posts, boards and Pins.

Or, if you'd rather start with the basics, download my free Pinterest Starter Kit. It'll walk you through the first steps so you can start building a Pinterest account that attracts the right people.

The important thing is to start.

Open Pinterest.

Type in your first keyword.

See what your customers are already searching for.

You might be surprised by what you find.

Need Help Applying This to Your Brand?

If Pinterest keyword research feels confusing, inconsistent, or frustratingly slow, this is exactly the kind of problem we can diagnose quickly.

Book a free 30-minute discovery call and we can explore your niche, your search opportunities, and your visibility gaps.

Book your free call here!