Pinterest isn’t just a social network; it’s a visual search engine that can send a steady stream of traffic to your blog for months or even years after you hit “Pin.” While the platform’s algorithm changes often, some timeless strategies can dramatically increase your pins’ reach. If you’re ready to see your content take off, these 17 simple hacks will help you craft pins that get noticed, clicked, and saved.
Table of Contents(Click to Toggle)
Why Pinterest Virality Matters for Bloggers
Pinterest is unique because it acts as a discovery engine. Unlike other platforms where content has a short lifespan, a well-optimized pin can generate clicks and saves for months. The key to virality is understanding what makes a pin stand out in a crowded feed and how to leverage the platform’s algorithm to your advantage. Let’s dive into the tools and strategies that can turn your pins into traffic magnets.
1. Canva : Design Eye-Catching Pins Effortlessly
What it is: A free graphic design platform with thousands of Pinterest-specific templates.
Category: Design Tool
Why it stands out: Canva’s drag-and-drop editor lets you create pins in minutes, even if you’re not a designer. You can customize templates with your brand colors, fonts, and logos. The platform also offers a “Magic Resize” feature that instantly adapts your design to different pin sizes (e.g., standard, tall, square), saving you time and ensuring your pins look great everywhere.
Best for: Bloggers who want to create professional-looking pins without hiring a designer.
2. Tailwind : Schedule Pins at Optimal Times
What it is: A Pinterest-approved scheduling tool that also offers analytics and SmartLoop features.
Category: Scheduling & Analytics
Why it stands out: Tailwind analyzes your audience’s activity to suggest the best times to pin. Its SmartLoop feature automatically re-pins your evergreen content, giving it multiple chances to go viral. You can also join Tailwind Tribes (now called Communities) to share your pins with other bloggers and increase your reach.
Best for: Bloggers who want to maintain a consistent pinning schedule without being online all day.
3. Pinterest Trends : Discover What’s Hot Right Now
What it is: A free tool by Pinterest that shows trending searches and topics.
Category: Trend Research
Why it stands out: You can see what users are searching for in real-time, filter by country and time period, and even get trend predictions. This helps you create content that aligns with current interests, giving your pins a higher chance of being seen and saved.
Best for: Bloggers who want to stay ahead of the curve and create timely content.
4. Buffer : Simplify Cross-Platform Scheduling
What it is: A social media management tool that supports Pinterest scheduling.
Category: Scheduling
Why it stands out: Buffer’s clean interface lets you schedule pins along with your other social media posts. The free plan includes up to 10 scheduled posts per channel, making it a great entry-level option. You can also analyze performance with basic analytics to see which pins drive the most clicks.
Best for: Bloggers who manage multiple social media accounts and want a unified scheduling dashboard.
5. PicMonkey : Advanced Photo Editing for Stunning Pins
What it is: A comprehensive photo editor with templates and graphics.
Category: Design Tool
Why it stands out: PicMonkey offers more advanced editing features than Canva, such as touch-up tools, effects, and a library of high-quality stock images. You can create pins with a unique look that stands out in the feed. It also integrates with Dropbox and Google Drive for easy file management.
Best for: Bloggers who want to add a professional touch to their pin images.
6. Unsplash : Free High-Resolution Stock Photos
What it is: A vast library of free, high-quality images contributed by photographers worldwide.
Category: Stock Photos
Why it stands out: Using visually appealing images is crucial for Pinterest. Unsplash offers a wide range of beautiful, royalty-free photos that you can use in your pins without worrying about copyright. The search function is robust, allowing you to find the perfect image for your niche.
Best for: Bloggers who need stunning visuals on a budget.
7. Google Trends : Validate Your Content Ideas
What it is: A free tool from Google that shows search interest over time.
Category: Trend Research
Why it stands out: While Pinterest Trends gives you platform-specific data, Google Trends helps you see broader search patterns. You can compare different keywords, see seasonal spikes, and identify evergreen topics. This insight helps you create pins that are more likely to be searched for and saved.
Best for: Bloggers who want to make data-driven content decisions.
8. BoardBooster : Automate Your Pinning Strategy
What it is: A Pinterest automation tool that offers smart scheduling and looping.
Category: Automation
Why it stands out: BoardBooster lets you schedule pins to multiple boards, set up looping campaigns to re-pin your best content, and even select specific boards for each pin. It also provides detailed analytics to track your growth. While it’s a paid tool, many bloggers find it worth the investment for the time saved.
Best for: Bloggers who want to automate their Pinterest marketing without constant manual effort.
9. Pixlr : Free Browser-Based Photo Editor
What it is: A free online photo editor that requires no installation.
Category: Design Tool
Why it stands out: Pixlr offers a range of editing tools, including layers, filters, and overlays, similar to Photoshop but simpler. It’s perfect for quick edits on the go, and you can create pins directly from your browser. The free version has ads but is still fully functional.
Best for: Bloggers who need a quick and free editing solution.
10. Keyword Tool : Find Long-Tail Pinterest Keywords
What it is: A keyword research tool that generates suggestions from Google, YouTube, and Pinterest autocomplete.
Category: SEO Research
Why it stands out: By entering a seed keyword, you get hundreds of long-tail keyword ideas that people actually type into Pinterest search. Using these in your pin titles, descriptions, and board names can significantly boost your visibility in Pinterest’s search results.
Best for: Bloggers who want to optimize their pins for search engines.
11. ViralTag : Auto-Post and Schedule Pins
What it is: A social media scheduler that supports Pinterest and Instagram.
Category: Scheduling
Why it stands out: ViralTag allows you to schedule pins, auto-post from your RSS feed, and even repin your own content. It also offers a “Smart Schedule” feature that picks the best times to post. The tool is user-friendly and integrates with your existing workflow.
Best for: Bloggers who want a simple way to keep their Pinterest boards active.
12. Later : Visual Planning for Pinterest
What it is: A visual content planner that supports Pinterest, Instagram, and other platforms.
Category: Scheduling
Why it stands out: Later’s drag-and-drop calendar lets you see your entire pin schedule at a glance. You can also use its “Best Time to Post” feature and analytics to refine your strategy. The free plan supports up to 30 posts per month, which is great for beginners.
Best for: Bloggers who prefer a visual approach to scheduling.
13. Stencil : Quick and Easy Graphic Creation
What it is: A simple graphic design tool focused on speed and simplicity.
Category: Design Tool
Why it stands out: Stencil is perfect for creating text-overlay pins quickly. It has a large library of icons and images, and you can resize your design for different platforms with one click. The free plan includes 10 images per month, which is enough to test the waters.
Best for: Bloggers who want to create simple, effective pins without a learning curve.
14. Pinterest Lens : Discover Visual Trends
What it is: A feature within the Pinterest app that lets you search using your camera.
Category: Trend Research
Why it stands out: By taking a photo of an object, you can see related pins and trends. This can inspire content ideas based on what people are currently pinning. For example, if you snap a photo of a cozy blanket, you might see popular pins for home decor or DIY projects.
Best for: Bloggers who want to tap into visual discovery trends.
15. CoSchedule : Marketing Calendar for Content Promotion
What it is: A comprehensive marketing calendar that includes Pinterest scheduling and analytics.
Category: Project Management
Why it stands out: CoSchedule helps you plan your entire content marketing strategy, including pin creation and promotion. You can see your blog posts, social media updates, and Pinterest pins in one place, ensuring you stay organized. It also offers a ReQueue feature to automatically reshare your best content.
Best for: Bloggers who want to manage their entire content pipeline in one tool.
16. Snappa : Create Pins Without Design Skills
What it is: A design tool with a vast library of templates and graphics.
Category: Design Tool
Why it stands out: Snappa offers a simple interface where you can create pins using pre-designed templates. It includes access to over 5 million stock photos and 200+ fonts. You can also resize your designs for different social channels instantly.
Best for: Bloggers who want to create professional pins quickly and easily.
17. Fiverr : Hire Freelancers for Custom Pin Design
What it is: A freelance marketplace where you can hire designers for custom pin graphics.
Category: Outsourcing
Why it stands out: If you’re struggling with design or want to scale your Pinterest marketing, Fiverr offers affordable options. You can find designers who specialize in Pinterest pins, and many offer gigs starting at just $5. This can save you hours of time and ensure a professional look.
Best for: Bloggers who want to outsource design work to focus on content creation.
Bonus Mentions
Pinterest Analytics : Track Your Performance
Don’t forget to use Pinterest’s native analytics to see which pins are performing best. This data is invaluable for refining your strategy and creating more of what your audience loves.
Pexels : Another Free Stock Photo Source
Pexels offers a huge collection of free stock photos and videos that can be used to create stunning pins. It’s a great alternative to Unsplash, especially if you need more variety.
Remove.bg : Remove Image Backgrounds Instantly
This tool lets you remove the background from any image in seconds, which is useful for creating clean, professional-looking pins with transparent backgrounds.
WordStream : Free Keyword Tool
WordStream’s free keyword tool can help you find high-volume keywords for your pin descriptions and board names, boosting your SEO on Pinterest.
Grammarly : Polish Your Pin Descriptions
Clear and error-free pin descriptions are essential for professionalism. Grammarly ensures your text is mistake-free and easy to read, which can improve engagement.
Your Viral Pinterest Strategy Starts Now
Making your pins go viral isn’t just about luck—it’s about using the right tools and strategies. From designing eye-catching graphics with Canva to scheduling with Tailwind and researching trends with Pinterest Trends, these 17 hacks give you a solid foundation to grow your Pinterest presence. Start implementing a few of these today, and watch your traffic soar. What’s your go-to tool for creating viral pins? Share in the comments below!
