Making Pinterest Trends Work for You

If you include Pinterest in your social media marketing mix, understanding how Pinterest differs from other social networks, as well as what is popular on the platform, can help you get more out of pinning.

Understanding the differences

Pinterest is similar to Instagram in that it is visually oriented, with an emphasis on graphics and photographs although it does accommodate videos which can add visual interest to your Pinterest boards and feeds. Pinterest also allows hashtags in the captions, and they are clickable leading to similar content.

Captions on Pinterest are less about telling a story and are typically shorter than on most other social networks. The focus should be on the image, but the image should "tell the story." Pinterest captions are more effective if they contain specific descriptions with trending keywords so instead of saying "Travel to Spain" you might say "Travel and explore Spanish cuisine on a trip through Andalusia, Spain."

Pinterest users are generally less in search of social connections, as they usually are on Facebook. They are more interested in discovering products, accessing easy how-to instructions, and keeping up on trends. While there can be some interactions between Pinterest users, the main way they engage is to re-pin one another’s pins. Your goal is to make your pins more enticing to compel your followers, and their followers, to re-pin them.

Identifying the trends

Paying attention to trends on Pinterest can help you create content that is more relevant to the Pinterest audience. Some of the places where you can gain knowledge about Pinterest-specific trends include:

Pinterest’s website. The social network includes an entire Business section where they provide detailed information to help you optimize your Pins.

Pinterest news. When you sign up for a Pinterest business account, you should receive regular emails from them containing tips and trends. You can also visit the Newsroom on the Pinterest website for the most current news.

Pinterest reports. Look for the latest copy of the report "Pinterest Predicts" that is released on an annual basis, usually toward the end of the previous year. The 2025 report, for example, points to using colors such as cherry red and gold or styles like nostalgia, mermaid, and rococo.

Trends Page. Pinterest also has a Trends page where you’ll see a ranking of trending content that is updated more frequently than their more formal reports. At a glance, this list typically consists of fashion, beauty, home décor, travel, and seasonal ideas. You can modify the parameters of the list (date range, interests, age, and gender) as well as export it or create an ad campaign directly from it.

Best practices for leveraging trends

Some things to consider when using trends as your guide for creating Pinterest pins include:

Build your strategy first. Know what your business goals are as well as your calls to action and where you want to send your Pinterest audience to take those actions. Then look for trends you can use to elevate your pins and help achieve your goals.

Stay on brand. While it may be tempting to jump on every trend, not all of them will be appropriate to your brand. However, don’t shy away from being creative and finding ways to use what might not seem relevant. For example, if you’re a florist but the major trend is Spring Nails, you could set up a photograph of a beautiful manicure with spring flowers painted on each nail.

A benefit of tapping into Pinterest trends is that you have the potential to reach new audiences. Your pins will receive more organic visibility the more your pins are re-pinned, landing in the feeds of people who are not yet following you.

Remember to track your Pinterest analytics to see which trend-oriented pins you’ve posted worked and which ones didn’t. Understanding what your audience wants and is willing to re-pin will help you zero in on the trends that resonate with them.