How to Make Money on Pinterest – Easy Guide for Beginners
Published: 21 May 2025
Did you know you can make money on Pinterest without a blog or a large following? Pinterest is not just a place for ideas but a powerful platform for earning money online. If you are a beginner, blogger, or affiliate marketer, Pinterest offers multiple ways to generate income.
You can promote affiliate products, sell digital or physical goods, or earn from the Pinterest Creator Fund. Many users make passive income by posting images, sharing links, and driving traffic to their offers. The best part? You don’t need thousands of followers to start.
This guide will teach you how to make money on Pinterest using simple and proven methods.
How Does Pinterest Work for Making Money?
Pinterest is not like other social media platforms. It works like a visual search engine where users look for ideas, products, and solutions. This makes it a great place to earn money online by sharing helpful content.

1. How Pinterest’s Algorithm Works
Pinterest ranks content based on relevance, engagement, and SEO. When you create a pin, Pinterest shows it to users who are searching for similar topics. The more people engage with your Pin (click, save, or share), the more Pinterest boosts its visibility.
- SEO matters – Use keywords in Pin titles, descriptions, and hashtags.
- Fresh content wins – Consistently posting new Pins helps you reach more people.
- Engagement boosts reach – The more users interact with your Pins, the better they perform.
2. How Pins Drive Traffic and Engagement
Each Pin on Pinterest acts like a mini advertisement. When users click a Pin, they land on a website, product page, or affiliate link. This is why many bloggers, businesses, and marketers use Pinterest to drive traffic and sales.
Example: If you post a recipe Pin linking to your food blog, users will click to read the recipe. Similarly, if you share an Amazon affiliate product, users can click and buy, earning you a commission.
3. Why Followers Aren’t Necessary for Making Money
Unlike Instagram or TikTok, Pinterest does not rely on follower count to display content. If optimized well, your Pins can reach millions of users even with zero followers.
Here’s why:
- Pinterest shows content based on search queries, not followers.
- Well-optimized Pins rank higher and stay visible for months.
- Anyone can start earning with the right strategy.
Many Pinterest creators make money through affiliate marketing and other services without a huge audience. This makes Pinterest one of the best platforms for beginners to start an online income.
Best Ways to Make Money on Pinterest
Pinterest offers multiple ways to earn money, whether you are a beginner or an experienced marketer. Let’s explore the best methods.
Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to make money on Pinterest. You promote products using special links and earn a commission when someone buys through your link.
How to Promote Affiliate Links on Pinterest
- Choose a profitable niche – Popular niches include beauty, fitness, home decor, and personal finance.
- Find the best affiliate programs – Join programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and CJ Affiliate.
- Create eye-catching pins – Use Canva to design engaging Pinterest graphics.
- Write keyword-rich descriptions – Add relevant keywords and a call-to-action (CTA).
- Direct traffic to your affiliate link – Use link shorteners like Bit.ly or redirect users to a landing page.
Selling Products or Services
Pinterest is an excellent platform for selling both digital and physical products.
Selling Digital Products
You can create and sell:
- E-books (Self-improvement, budgeting, recipes)
- Printables (Planners, coloring pages, wedding templates)
- Design templates (Social media graphics, business cards)

Selling Physical Products with Etsy, Shopify, or Amazon
- Please set up an Etsy or Shopify store and link it to your Pinterest account.
- Use Pinterest product pins to drive traffic to your store.
- Sell items like jewellery, home decor, or handmade crafts.
Pinterest Creator Fund
What is the Pinterest Creator Fund?
Pinterest pays selected creators to post original content. It’s an invite-only program that rewards users based on engagement.
How to Qualify and Apply
- Have an active Pinterest business account.
- Post high-quality, original content (Idea Pins).
- Meet Pinterest’s eligibility requirements.
- Apply when Pinterest opens applications.
Using Pinterest for Blog Monetization
Pinterest is a traffic powerhouse for bloggers. If you have a blog, you can monetize it through ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate links.
How Bloggers Use Pinterest for Traffic
- Create SEO-optimized pins with keyword-rich titles.
- Use group boards to expand reach.
- Pin consistently using scheduling tools like Tailwind.
Steps to Monetize a Blog with Pinterest
- Join Google AdSense or Mediavine to earn from ads.
- Write sponsored posts for brands in your niche.
- Use affiliate marketing within blog posts.
Making Money Without a Blog or Followers
You do not need a blog or thousands of followers to make money on Pinterest. Here’s how you can start today.
How New Users Can Start Without a Blog
- Join affiliate programs and share direct links on Pinterest.
- Post Idea Pins with engaging visuals.
- Use Pinterest SEO to rank your pins.
Posting Images and Repins for Engagement
- Create high-quality pins that link to affiliate offers.
- Repin trending content to attract views.
- Engage with other users by commenting and saving their pins.
How Many Followers Do You Need to Make Money on Pinterest?
Many people think you need thousands of followers to earn on Pinterest. But that’s not true! Unlike social media platforms where followers impact reach, Pinterest is a search engine. Your content can go viral even with zero followers if it ranks well in search results.
Reality: Engagement and Reach Matter More
Pinterest rewards high-quality Pins that get clicks, saves, and shares. Even if you have a small audience, you can make money by:
- Creating SEO-optimized Pins that rank in Pinterest search
- Using affiliate links to earn commissions (Keyword: how to make money on Pinterest affiliate marketing)
- Driving traffic to your blog, store, or landing pages
- Selling products or services directly through Pins
Conclusion
Pinterest offers many ways to make money online, even if you are a beginner. You can start with affiliate marketing, sell digital or physical products, or earn from the Pinterest Creator Fund. You can post engaging pins and drive traffic to your offers even without a blog or followers.
The key to success is taking action. Start by choosing a method that suits you. Experiment with different pin designs, keywords, and strategies. Track your results and improve along the way.
Here is a simple tip: Focus on consistency. Post valuable content regularly, optimize your pins, and stay patient. Over time, you’ll see growth and income.

- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks

- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks