Imagine this: Emma is a small business owner who just launched a handmade jewelry brand. She knows Pinterest is a goldmine for driving traffic, but her pins barely get any clicks. Meanwhile, her competitor’s pins go viral, racking up thousands of repins and website visits. What’s the secret?
Pinterest isn’t just a social platform—it’s a visual search engine. That means designing the perfect pin isn’t just about making it pretty. It’s about leveraging psychology, search intent, and untold design strategies to make it irresistible.
If you’ve been struggling to get traction on Pinterest, you’re about to uncover the hidden techniques that will skyrocket your engagement and visibility. Let’s dive in!
1. Understand Pinterest’s Visual Hierarchy
Pinterest users scroll fast. Your pin needs to stop them in their tracks within seconds.
Untold Trick: The Zig-Zag Eye Movement
Studies show that users scan Pinterest in a zig-zag pattern. That means placing key elements—text, images, and branding—strategically to follow this flow.
How to Apply This:
- Place the most important words at the top third of the pin—this is where the eye first lands.
- Guide attention using arrows or subtle directional cues.
- Avoid centering everything—offset elements slightly to create a dynamic, scroll-stopping effect.
Example: Instead of stacking text neatly in the center, angle it slightly, leading the viewer’s eyes toward your call to action.
2. The Power of Color Psychology
Pinterest is a sea of images—but not all colors perform equally.
Hidden Color Hacks:
Warm colors (red, orange, yellow) = High energy, urgency, and attention-grabbing.
Cool colors (blue, green, purple) = Calm, trust, and reliability—best for educational or wellness content.
High contrast colors = Make your text pop and stand out from competing pins.
Pro Tip: Avoid using too much white—Pinterest’s background is already white, so your pin may blend in and be overlooked.
3. Text Overlay: Make Every Word Count
Text on your pin should be minimal yet powerful. If users can’t grasp your message in 2 seconds, they’ll scroll past.
NLP-Powered Copywriting Tricks:
✅ Curiosity Gap: “The One Pinterest Hack No One Talks About!”
✅ Emotional Triggers: “Struggling with engagement? Try this.”
✅ Power Words: “Secret, Free, Instantly, Exclusive, Proven”—these words subconsciously trigger action.
Example: Instead of “Best Breakfast Recipes”, try “5 Breakfast Ideas You NEED to Try Today!”
4. Image Selection: Stand Out Without Overloading
Your image should be relevant, high-quality, and convey emotion. Avoid stock-photo stiffness—Pinterest favors real-life, relatable images.
Secret Hack: Human Elements Convert Better
Pins with people’s faces or hands performing an action get 23% more engagement than abstract designs.
Example: Instead of just a flat-lay of a cake, show hands cutting a slice—this invites the user into the experience.
5. Call-to-Action (CTA) That Actually Works
If you don’t tell users what to do, they won’t take action. A strong Call-to-Action (CTA) is non-negotiable.
Best CTA Styles for Pinterest:
For Traffic: “Click to Read More!”
For Sales: “Shop Now & Save 20%!”
For Engagement: “Pin This for Later!”
Secret CTA Trick:
Instead of placing the CTA at the bottom, test putting it in the middle of the pin. This disrupts the usual flow and catches attention.
Example: Try a CTA in a speech bubble or a handwritten font for a personal touch.
6. Optimizing for Pinterest SEO
Pinterest is a search engine—meaning your pins should be optimized for discovery.
Hidden Pinterest SEO Hacks:
Use keywords in your pin title and description.
File names matter! Instead of “IMG1234.jpg,” rename it to “best-pinterest-design-tips.jpg”.
Hashtags aren’t just for Instagram! Use 2-5 relevant hashtags in your pin description.
Example: Instead of “Summer Outfit Ideas,” optimize it as “10 Trendy Summer Outfit Ideas for Women | Casual & Chic Looks”.
7. The Magic of A/B Testing
Not every pin will be a hit. That’s why testing multiple designs is crucial.
A/B Testing Checklist:
✔️ Try two different color schemes (warm vs. cool tones).
✔️ Test text placement—does top or bottom perform better?
✔️ Compare two fonts (bold, modern vs. elegant, script).
✔️ Run both versions for 7 days and analyze engagement.
Example: If one version gets higher saves but lower clicks, refine the CTA for a stronger pull.
8. The Power of Animated Pins
Static pins work, but animated pins stand out even more.
Why Motion Works:
It disrupts the scrolling pattern (making users pause).
It grabs attention quickly (especially with text appearing in sequence).
It looks more interactive, boosting engagement.
Pro Tip: Use simple animations like fading text, slight zoom effects, or moving arrows to guide the eye.
Conclusion: Create Pins That Get Clicks, Saves, and Shares
Designing for Pinterest isn’t just about making things look nice—it’s about understanding psychology, leveraging SEO, and optimizing visuals for engagement.
By using these untold tricks, you’ll create pins that stop the scroll, attract more clicks, and drive massive traffic to your website.
So, what’s the first strategy you’ll implement?