Pinterest Ads 101: How to Set-Up & Run a Successful Paid Campaign on Pinterest

If you think Pinterest is for cutesy pictures for DIY-ers or ideas to just spark inspiration, you are grossly mistaken. Pinterest is more than just an online board. It is a powerful advertising platform that can bring tons of targeted traffic to your website or store. Ready to turn those Pins into profits? Grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s explore Pinterest Ads 101: How to Run a Successful Paid Campaign on Pinterest.

How to Setup Pinterest Ads

Ready to jump in? First, set up your Pinterest business account if you haven’t already. Then, link your website to your Pinterest account. This allows Pinterest to track visitors and conversions accurately.

Next, enable Rich Pins and Pinterest Tags. Rich Pins give additional context to your pins, increasing visibility and clicks. Pinterest Tags track user interactions and conversions, helping you optimize campaigns based on what’s working.

Note: While optimizing your campaigns, always follow Pinterest’s ad guidelines. Practices like pinterest ads cloaking — where the content shown to the platform differs from what users actually see — can lead to account suspension. Stay transparent and focus on authentic, user-focused ad strategies.

How to Create Ads on Pinterest

Here’s how you can create ads on Pinterest

1. Log in to your Pinterest Business account.
2. Click your profile picture located in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Locate the Pin you want to promote. Hover over it and click Promote in the top-right corner of the Pin. (Note: Only Pins eligible for promotion will display the Promote button.)
4. You will be directed to the Create Campaign page, which defaults to the Automated Campaign view.
5. To switch to a Manual Campaign, click the Automated Campaign dropdown in the top-right corner and select Manual Campaign.
6. Complete the setup for your Manual or Automated campaign as needed.

Pinterest Ad Types

Choosing the right ad type depends on your business goals and target audience. Pinterest offers several types of ads, each tailored to different goals:

• Carousel: If you want to show multiple images in a single ad to showcase different products, highlight specific features or tell a story in chapters, then a carousel is the way to go.

• Collections: This will help you curate a mix of images and video in the same ad unit to help people explore and shop more from your brand.

• Idea: Show ideas in action with multimedia assets and then nudge people to take next steps.

• Image: Hold everyone’s attention by using a single image that represents your brand or products.

• Premiere Spotlight: Get maximum impact with premium takeover video placements in the most highly trafficked parts of Pinterest.

• Quiz: You can increase engagement through interactive content that provides quiz-takers with personalised results.

Examples of Pinterest Ads

Need some inspiration? Let’s look at some examples of Pinterest Ads done right:

• Home Décor Brands: Carousel Pins highlighting various room setups.
• Beauty Products: Video pins showcasing tutorials or before-and-after results.
• Fashion Retailers: Shopping ads directly linking users to product listings.

These examples show how diverse and creative Pinterest Ads can be, each tailored perfectly to engage specific audiences.

How Much Do Pinterest Ads Cost?

Businesses, creators have complete control over how much they want to spend. You can also choose to set your own bids or Pinterest has its automatic bidding tools  which do it for you. Pinterest doesn’t pay creators directly for their content, but you can monetise your presence through Pinterest Ads focused toward customer acquisition, conversions and sales. They also offer dedicated support programmes for creators. However, on an average, businesses might spend anywhere from 0.10 USD to 1.50 USD per click. Start small, measure performance, and then scale your investment based on results.

Benefits of Pinterest ads

Here are some benefits of Pinterest Ads:

Boost Local Visibility

Pinterest’s geo-targeting features make it ideal for reaching nearby customers. By using location-specific keywords and targeting options, you can connect with users actively searching for products or services in your area.

Visual Appeal

As a highly visual platform, Pinterest is perfect for showcasing eye-catching products or services. Well-designed, high-quality Pins can capture attention and draw in potential customers through compelling imagery.

Drive Targeted Website Traffic

Pinterest enables direct linking to your website, blog, or online store. Sharing valuable, visually appealing content can drive qualified traffic to your site, increasing the likelihood of conversions and inquiries.

SEO Advantages

Pinterest functions as a visual search engine. By optimizing Pins and boards with relevant keywords, you can improve your visibility on Pinterest itself as well as on traditional search engines like Google.

Foster Community Engagement

Pinterest allows you to engage with local users, influencers, and businesses. If you participate actively, it will open doors to partnerships, collaborations, and broader local exposure.

Leverage Cost-Effective Advertising

Pinterest offers budget-friendly advertising solutions like Promoted Pins. These ads can be customized to your objectives and help extend your reach to a targeted local audience.

Showcase Reviews and Testimonials

Highlighting positive local experiences can influence potential buyers researching your business.

Pinterest SEO Best Practices

Think of Pinterest as a visual search engine rather than just a social platform. To maximize your ad visibility, follow these Pinterest SEO best practices:

• Use relevant keywords in your pin titles and descriptions.
• Include hashtags strategically to boost discoverability.
• Make sure your visuals clearly depict your product or service.
• Consistency is key. Regular pinning enhances your overall account visibility.
• Incorporate these tips into your Pinterest strategy, and watch your ads soar in the search results.

Why Pinterest Backlinks Matter

Pinterest backlinks play a crucial role in driving traffic to your website. Every pin you create provides a backlink, boosting your SEO and driving targeted traffic directly from Pinterest to your website. The more valuable and engaging your pins, the higher your chances of generating consistent and relevant traffic through Pinterest backlinks.

Winding Up

Your Pinterest Ads Checklist for Success is simple. Create and complete a Pinterest Business Account, upload your product catalog with ad format, campaign objective, campaign start and end date, upload creative assets and copy and monitor and optimize your performance.

So now you know how to run a successful paid campaign on Pinterest from reading this blog. However, acing it like a pro is a different ball game. Whether you’re a small business owner, a savvy marketer, or just obsessed with perfectly curated boards, you’re in the right place. Choose GTECH – one of the best SEM agencies in UAE and watch your business soar on Pinterest.