Author Nation Live 25 G-44: Pinterest for Authors
Pinterest is one of the most underutilized platforms in an author's marketing toolkit—and according to digital marketing strategists Kiana and Louise, that's exactly what makes it a competitive advantage right now. Unlike Instagram or TikTok, Pinterest functions as a visual search engine where readers arrive with active intent, searching for genres, tropes, aesthetics, and character art. With 578 million users—70% women, a third earning over $100K annually—the platform hosts a reader demographic that is 87% more likely to make a purchase while browsing. Critically, Pinterest content doesn't expire the way social posts do: a single optimized pin can surface in search results months or years after it was published. For authors, this means evergreen discoverability that compounds over time without ongoing effort. The session covers how Pinterest's algorithm rewards keyword strategy and consistency over viral moments, positioning it as the top of an author's reader funnel—quietly converting browsers into newsletter subscribers, ARC requesters, and book buyers.
Tools / Software
Pinterest: Visual search engine and content platform; primary subject of the session
Pinterest Trends: Built-in trend tracker showing keyword search volume over time; accessible at Pinterest.Trends.com
Pinterest Predicts: Pinterest's forward-looking trend forecasting tool; reportedly 80% accurate in annual predictions
Canva: Recommended for creating platform-neutral pin graphics without watermarks
CapCut: Recommended for creating and editing video content outside of TikTok/Instagram to avoid platform logos
Pinterest Product Tagging / Affiliate Links: 2025 update allowing US and UK creators to link directly to Amazon without spam flagging
Rich Pins: Pin type that automatically syncs title, metadata, and product info from a linked website
Key Concepts
Visual search engine: Pinterest's core function—users search with intent, not scroll passively
Fresh pins: Any new image or video Pinterest hasn't indexed before; triggers preferential algorithmic treatment
Evergreen content: Pins that remain discoverable and drive traffic for months or years after posting
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) on Pinterest: Strategic keyword placement in pin titles, descriptions, board names, and alt text
Tag topics: Up to 10 categorical labels assignable to each pin to help Pinterest index content
Repins: When users save someone else's pin; functions as organic, automated content distribution
Reader intent: The concept that Pinterest users arrive already searching for specific genres, tropes, and aesthetics
Keyword stuffing: Overloading descriptions with keywords; penalized by Pinterest's algorithm
Static pins: Single-image pins; make up 89% of viral Pinterest content
Idea pins: Up to 20-image carousel or slideshow format
The content funnel: Pinterest as the top of the author marketing funnel leading to newsletter signups, purchases, and fan relationships
Amazon affiliate link transparency: Pinterest's 2025 requirement to disclose Amazon links in pin captions
Key Strategies
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle content: Repurpose existing TikToks, reels, and graphics into Pinterest pins without platform watermarks
Keyword-first planning: Research and finalize keyword lists before writing any pin descriptions or board names
Consistent daily pinning (1–2 pins/day) over sporadic bulk posting
Multi-board pinning: Pin one graphic to multiple relevant boards to expand reach
Minor visual tweaks = fresh pins: Changing font, color, or layout of an existing graphic counts as new content
Pinterest Trends planning: Use trend data to anticipate seasonal and genre-based search spikes before they peak
Profile as billboard: Optimize display name, bio, username, and banner with searchable keywords
🔒 Unlock the Full Replay
In the full session replay, Kiana and Louise walk through a live side-by-side pin comparison—revealing which pin dramatically outperformed the other and exactly why. The results challenged conventional design wisdom, and the breakdown of what Pinterest's algorithm actually rewarded (hint: it wasn't the prettier pin) will change how you approach every visual you create going forward.
Q: How long does it take for Pinterest to start driving consistent traffic to an author's content?
A: Approximately 90 days minimum, sometimes several months. Kiana and Louise emphasized that Pinterest's algorithm requires time to learn an account's audience before it begins distributing content consistently. They advised authors not to be discouraged by slow early traction and to focus on steady, daily posting while the algorithm calibrates.
Q: What percentage of Pinterest searches are unbranded? A: 97% of Pinterest searches are unbranded.
A:Louise cited this statistic to illustrate that readers aren't searching for specific author names—they're searching for genres, tropes, and aesthetics. This means keyword optimization around reader intent (not author identity) is the primary discoverability lever on the platform.
Q: What image format performs best on Pinterest, and what percentage of viral content is static images?
A: The 2:3 vertical aspect ratio, with 89% of viral Pinterest content made up of static (still) images. Louise shared this during the visual strategy segment, noting that while video pins are encouraged, authors should prioritize strong static image pins first and use video as a supplementary enhancement rather than a primary strategy.
Q:Can I fix a messy, unfocused Pinterest account or do I need to start over?
If your existing Pinterest account lacks focus—mixing personal content like recipes or travel with your author content—the speakers recommend deleting off-brand boards and starting fresh with new, keyword-optimized content rather than trying to salvage and re-optimize old pins. One important caveat: editing existing pins does not help them re-rank, so there's no value in updating old descriptions. Delete what doesn't serve your author brand and build forward. You don't need a new account—just a reset strategy.
Q: Can I link directly to Amazon from Pinterest without getting flagged or banned?
Yes, as of 2025, Pinterest has rolled out product tagging with affiliate links available to creators in the US and UK, allowing direct links to Amazon without the spam flag that previously got accounts suspended. The only requirement is transparency: include a note in your caption indicating the link goes to Amazon or your Amazon storefront.