Have you ever thought about all the wonderful images you find on Pinterest? Are those images really pin-worthy? When creating a Pinterest account, did you wonder the possibilities to business activity? I know I didn’t even think of that when I created my account. Actually I created my Pinterest account before I started my business.
You’ll find recipes galore in my account because that’s what I mainly used it for before my business. Of course I pinned away to my heart’s desire! Chocolate cake? Yes, of course! Every single type of cake, pastry, dessert in the world is pinned to “for my tummy” board. With business, using a Pinterest account is so much more!
I use Pinterest to find articles on every subject I need for my clients and it never leaves me disappointed. For business, Pinterest should be used as a search engine not a social media platform. People don’t chat in the comments, they may acknowledge your pin with clicking the heart or pinning and be on their way. Very few people take the time to say, “Thanks for pinning!” in the comments.
Anyway I’ve come across some really bad pins lately in my client’s feed and I want people to be aware of what should be considered a pin-worthy pin on Pinterest. Here we go!
Pin-Worthy Pins for Business
Does the link work on the pin?
The most frustrating type of pin I come across is one that goes no where. How disappointing is it when you find a pastry shop, and they have the most delicious pastry displayed on their window just to find out they don’t have the pastry anymore. It’s so sad! This is how pins work. You find a beautiful graphic that resonates with you and want to learn more about it and click. Nothing.
Every time you pin, ALWAYS check that the link works. If you don’t have time to pin it or it’s too soon to pin it. Click the little heart to like it then you can go back to it later to check it out.
When you’re ready to check out the pin. Go to your profile where all your Likes are placed.
If the link does not work, you can report it by clicking on the 3 circles when you’re on the pin. Take a look below.
You can now report the pin. Then a box will pop-up asking what’s wrong with it. See below:
These are the reasons to report a pin:
- I can’t find the image on the site
- The Pin’s link is broken
- The site doesn’t have any instructions
- The item is out of stock or not available to buy
Interesting, right? I’ve reported on pins mostly because the pin’s link isn’t working.
Once you click on the Next button it will give you a thank you box, letting you know your pin has been reported.
Can’t find the image on the site.
There are times when the image you click on is not on the site it’s been linked to. Now that is disappointing too. Sometimes the link goes to a home page rather than to the exact article or product page. Then people are searching all over the site to find that image. Another time waster!
The site doesn’t have any instructions.
This is regarding pins that have giveaways or contests. Many people will post images on Pinterest for their blog contests or giveaways. When you click on the pin it should link to the blog or article regarding the contest with instructions on what steps to take to enter. Again another disappointing pin!
The item is out of stock or not available to buy.
There are many pins that are product pins for businesses with the price readily available on the pin. These rich pins are wonderful and give you exactly what you want from the image. There’s no searching around a website, it’s ready to click on and you can buy. However what if the item is out of stock and you can’t purchase it. Again it’s another disappointment.
Pinning is like recommending an article, story, or product
Ask yourself, would I recommend this item to a family member, friend, or client? This should trigger if the pin is worthy of pinning. You wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone so why would you pin something that’s not useful.
You may say, “BUT wait! I use it for inspiration, I like the image and I’m not going to the link. I just like the picture!” I get that. I’ve pinned many images because they’re pretty and then find out it goes to a really bad site like pornographic bad. Really think twice before pinning!
[tweet_box inject=”Not all pins are pin-worthy!”]Not all pins are pin-worthy![/tweet_box]
When you pin bad pins you start getting more in your feed because Pinterest’s algorithm then thinks that’s what you’re looking for. Crappy, spammy, no good pins… I know it’s bad. You want to fill your feed with great pins that you’ll want to recommend to others.
Even if you find a pin that links to a simple image that’s fine. It’s better than getting to a bad site or no site at all. Image pins can be used for inspiration. Of course, isn’t that why most people go on Pinterest anyway, to pin some inspiration for their next project or article.
Other Clues to Find Out If The Pin is Pin-Worthy
Is the pin a rich pin? What are rich pins you may ask? Well… these are pins that people have taken the time to enter a bit of code onto their website and now their pins become rich with their little avatar on them. Nothing really fabulous or rich about them.
So why is a rich pin pin-worthy?
They just let you know the person who’s pinning really takes themselves seriously and means business. That’s all.
However you should still click through to make sure it’s working.
Vertical or Long Pins
People like pinning vertical or long pins because they’re eye-catching and takes up some prime Pinterest feed. However this doesn’t make horizontal pins bad, just not as pinnable as vertical pins.
I talk about the importance of having blog title images and using sizes accordingly in this post along with a link to the Ultimate Guide for Pinterest from Olyvia.co. Check it out!
Wrap this ‘Pin Overview for Pinterest’ Up
Basically not every pin is equal. Each pin could be the next product you buy, a product you recommend, or incredible article on business you’ve read. They all should mean something to you or if you don’t have time for it that moment, then Like it so you can check on it later.
[tweet_box inject=”Please pin responsibly. @tigerlilyva11″]Please pin responsibly.[/tweet_box]
Now I sound like an alcoholic beverage commercial! haha
Question for you – Do you check on the pins that you’re pinning?
Better take a look and see what you have pinned. You may have a great image hiding something horrible behind it.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments about pinning on Pinterest.
Take care,
Tigerlily 
Hi Lillian,
this is very interesting ,I did not know
about all this and never paid attention
to the pins ,if the links work and all the
other things you mentioned here.
Thank you for sharing this information.
Erika
Hi Erika,
I’m so happy you learned about pins and their links! You just never know what’s behind a pin when you’re pinning.
Thanks for stopping by!
Take care,
Lillian
Hi Lillian,
Thank you for these tips. I always check my links to make sure they work
but I did not know about checking my profile ” where all your Likes are placed.
three circles to report a pin, or code on websites for pins that become rich with their little avatar on them” Great article !
Hi Kathryn,
I’m so glad you learned about the Likes area. It’s a great feature to track pins before pinning.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Take care,
Lillian
Hi Lillian,
when I started using Pinterest years back, I thought it to the be the sources of seeing the good images. But then I came to know about the advantages about it for traffic and then I used it for the good of my site.
And also you have done some great efforts in your post, and I have learned some new things.
Thanks for the share.
Hi Robin,
Yes, I think Pinterest has really evolved into a source of business opportunities rather than just personal needs. I’m so glad you’ve learned some new things from this post.
Take care,
Lillian
Some great tips here, Lillian! I never thought about going back to see what I’ve Liked to maybe pin later. And I didn’t know you could report pins! I bet I’ll use that feature. I think the worst is when you click thru to the site and the pin isn’t there – because the pinner purposely misled you to their site! I don’t see that as often any more, but I’ll definitely report it when I do. As well as those broken links.
Thanks!
Hey there Louise!
It’s just so disappointing to see great images with poor link usage or worse they purposely do it to lead you elsewhere. Plus whenever you pin from these types of pins, Pinterest saves this type of pinning so then you’re stuck with junk in your feed. It’s very annoying! So please do report them.
I’m glad that you’ve learned a few things from this post. Love to spread the word to clean up Pinterest to get quality pins.
Take care,
Lillian
Hi Lillian,
I’ve used Pinterest on and off, and lately I’ve been putting more effort into it. I pin information about my books, my podcast and my interests. I have to admit I haven’t always clicked through on a pin, but a few times I have done so, I haven’t gone directly to the post I was hoping to see. Didn’t know I could report the pin, so this is all very good information!
Hi Deborah,
That’s great you’re using Pinterest more often! It really is great for authors and podcasters.
You have to be careful because you just never know what’s behind that pin. Just today, I clicked on a pin and found a virus. Now if I would’ve pinned it, then others would have to worry about getting viruses on their computer. I was able to remove the virus and go back to that pin to report it. Also if someone gets a bad pin from you and report it they will most likely block you potentially losing a follower (even though the original pin wasn’t from you). It’s a total domino effect.
I’m glad you learned something from this post!
Take care,
Lillian
Hi Lillian,
How are you my friend. I hope well… I see pinterest as a digital work of art. So I think the images should be of good quality. You have provided some guidelines to follow . I have not used Pinterest much, but hope to soon. The “Pin it” button – did you design that or is that a Pinterest button? I like it.. 🙂
Hi Lesly,
I’m doing well! Thank you. I hope you’re doing fantastic!
I’m very surprised you haven’t been using Pinterest that much. It’s definitely something I see you using to express your artistic side.
Yes, I did design my own Pinterest button. I’m actually writing a post about designing the Pin It button in Canva. So stay tuned! I’m glad you like it. 🙂
Take care,
Lillian
Thanks Lillian
I confess I’ve been a bad pinner
Time definitely to make a change in my pinning style
Hi Mary,
I love that you admit it! I’m so glad you recognize that there needs to be a change in your pinning style. Believe me, I’ve been there! Pinning just willy nilly is absolutely not the way to do it, and there must be a bit of follow through to check on the pin.
Have a great week!
Lillian
Well, you made a good point here – not all pins are pin-worthy and we should choose what to pin and what not. Also, we need to post images on blogs that are actually pin-worthy. Good post 🙂
Hi Pankaj,
You’re right! People should have images on their blog that are pin-worthy.
Take care,
Lillian 🙂
I don’t disagree with you there, so many people just pin anything they see. I find it hard to keep up with them all and many are not worth the trouble to follow through. I wish people would be more discerning.
Enjoy the journey!
Hi Mandy,
I’m so glad you agree! I’ve done this post so people can be aware of their actions. It takes time to report pins when there are so many that are bad.
Thanks for stopping by!
Take care,
Lillian
Hi Lillian,
Thanks for these useful tips – I must admit I don’t use Pinterest as much as I should do.
Trouble is, it’s just so tempting to spend forever and a day on there. And not just on the “tummy” board – love that expression.
However, when I do go back onto Pinterest I’ll certainly pay more attention to your useful tips.
Have a great week, Joy – Blogging After Dark
Great Article! I just never thought about checking the pins – I save them and check them later but I am sure I need to clean them up… Thanks Aganin
Hi Lillian
I must say that I am not consistent with checking my pin links but you have made me aware about this and I am off to check right now.
Thanks for sharing. Take Care
Hi Ikechi,
I’m so glad you’ll check your pins. You never know what you’ll find on the other side of the pin!
Take care,
Lillian
Hi Lillian,
Great post. I am starting to use Pintrest more to market my new book. No results yet, but I know there coming.
Hi Alicia,
Pinterest is a great way to market a book. Be sure to have keywords in the description of your pins.
Take care,
Lillian