Pinterest Hashtags vs Key phrases in 2025: What Truly Drives Discovery (and When to Use Every)

Right here’s the shortest plan that’s working proper now—and you’ll put it to work at this time.

Do Hashtags Nonetheless Matter on Pinterest in 2025?

Key phrases—not hashtags—drive Pinterest rating in 2025. Hashtags can nonetheless assist occasional topical discovery, however they don’t act like a particular rating lever. Deal with them like supplemental phrases. Prioritize natural-language key phrases in titles, descriptions, boards, and on-image textual content for dependable visibility over time.

TL;DR steering for busy entrepreneurs

• Concentrate on phrases actual folks search.
• Put major key phrases in titles; add 2–4 associated phrases in descriptions; align board names.
• Skip hashtags more often than not; whenever you use them, comply with the utilization guidelines under.
• Preserve descriptions readable—quick sentences beat partitions of tags.
• Publish persistently—recent Pins and regular cadence add up.

In order for you deeper programs and examples, our superior Pinterest search engine optimization & key phrase technique information ties the items collectively: Superior Pinterest search engine optimization & Key phrase Technique (2025 Version) (/weblog/pinterest-seo-strategy).

Why the confusion persists

A variety of us keep in mind 2018–2020 steering. Pinterest flirted with hashtags. Creators noticed momentary wins tagging trending subjects. Recommendation unfold, and habits calcified. However the platform matured into a visible search engine. That shifted the sphere from “tag every little thing” to “match the way in which folks search.” Many older blogs by no means up to date, and a few networks nonetheless normalize heavy hashtagging—so the parable survives.

This text reconciles the outdated and the brand new: you don’t want hashtags to rank on Pinterest in 2025. Key phrases win as a result of that’s how folks search.

Present consensus (what credible sources say now)

• Pinterest’s personal positioning is evident: it’s a visible search engine pushed by natural-language queries, not a hashtag listing. See Pinterest’s framing in The Way forward for Search is Visible—discovery begins with intent, not tags. The Way forward for Search is Visible
• Exams from practitioners present the identical sample. In 2025, Sarah Burk’s testing discovered that keyword-focused Pins can enhance attain by as much as 70% versus hashtag-forward posts—as a result of searchers sort phrases, not tags.
• Practitioners have documented a shift away from hashtags since 2022 as Pinterest leaned into intent-led visible search. For an summary, see this practitioner abstract of the pattern: documented shift in 2022.

How Pinterest Search Works Now (and why key phrases dominate)

Pinterest is a visible search engine. It matches textual content alerts with visuals and engagement to rank Pins. Pure-language key phrases carry many of the weight. When hashtags seem, they’re usually parsed like regular phrases—with out particular enhance. Write for the precise phrases folks sort.

Rating inputs: textual content, visuals, and engagement

4 inputs matter most:

• Textual content relevance: titles, descriptions, and board context inform Pinterest what a Pin is about.
• Visible match: the picture ought to reinforce the theme implied by your textual content.
• Engagement and high quality: saves, clicks, and constant exercise sign usefulness.
• Area and pinner historical past: regular, high-quality output builds belief.

These decide whether or not your Pin seems—and sticks—for the queries you goal. Titles and descriptions act like your “question match.” Photographs and engagement validate that match.

In case your phrases say “cozy fall porch,” your picture ought to scream “pumpkins and plaid,” not “trendy neon patio.”

For examples and field-by-field steering, our information to Pin descriptions and titles breaks down placements and phrasing: Pin descriptions & titles for search engine optimization (/weblog/pin-description-optimization).

Why natural-language queries beat hashtags

Actual customers search with phrases. “Small laundry room concepts.” “Sheet pan hen dinner.” “Minimalist nursery artwork.” You’ll hardly ever see “#” within the search bar. If you mirror these phrases in your title and opening sentence, you meet the consumer the place they’re. Hashtags may be acknowledged, however they don’t replicate how folks truly question the platform.

The 19% knowledge level (what it actually implies)

In Tailwind’s 2025 benchmark research, solely 19% of viral Pins used hashtags. That doesn’t imply hashtags block virality. It means most viral Pins earned distribution with out them—as a result of the rating engine matched nice photos, robust phrases, and regular engagement. In different phrases, hashtags are non-obligatory. Correlation ≠ causation; the takeaway is that key phrases are ample on their very own.

The place Key phrases Win vs The place Hashtags Nonetheless Assist

Use key phrases in every single place rating alerts matter: titles, descriptions, boards, and on-image textual content. Think about 1–3 related hashtags solely after they add readability (occasions, campaigns, area of interest phrases) and don’t cut back readability. In the event you’re uncertain, skip tags and strengthen your phrasing.

Excessive-impact key phrase placements (title, description, board)

Prioritize these:

• Title: lead with the first phrase customers search.
• Description: help with 2–4 pure variations and a easy name to motion.
• Board identify: reinforce the theme on the board stage.
• On-image textual content: add the top time period or a good profit for fast recognition.

This trio—title, description, board—does the heavy lifting. On-image textual content provides a useful nudge and improves readability within the feed. For patterns and annotated examples, see our information to Pin descriptions & titles (/weblog/pin-description-optimization) and the hub on superior Pinterest search engine optimization (/weblog/pinterest-seo-strategy).

Edge instances the place a hashtag helps

• Reside occasions or cultural moments: a well timed tag can disambiguate the second.
• Branded campaigns: one branded tag can tie belongings collectively.
• Micro-niche disambiguation: uncommon phrases or abbreviations typically profit from a clarifier.

In the event you add any, comply with the utilization guidelines under.

Readability and spam threat

Partitions of tags look spammy and crowd out the phrases folks learn. Additionally they increase the chances of repeating the identical time period. Preserve descriptions scannable. Unfold out recent Pins to keep away from bursty patterns that look automated.

Pin Spacing helps you keep a minimal—not actual—interval between related Pins. SmartSchedule and the queue might shift actual placement because it balances your calendar. Use each in Pin Scheduler to guard account well being whereas staying seen.

The Sensible Combine: Placement, Density, and Fashion That Rank

Undertake a keywords-first model. Lead titles with the top time period. Write conversational descriptions with 2–4 semantic variants and a transparent subsequent step. Use boards to cluster associated subjects. In the event you embody hashtags, cap them at 0–3 on the finish of the outline. Check, don’t stuff.

I maintain one rule taped to my monitor: “Write what the client would sort.”

Titles that earn impressions

A easy sample you possibly can repeat:

• Entrance-load the top time period: “Cozy Fall Porch Concepts.”
• Add a promise or angle: “on a Funds.”
• Optionally embody a secondary variation after a splash or colon.

Examples:

• “Cozy Fall Porch Concepts on a Funds: Pumpkins, Plaid, and Heat Lighting.”
• “Sheet Pan Rooster Dinner Concepts – Simple, Wholesome, Weeknight-Pleasant.”
• “Minimalist Nursery Artwork: Black-and-White Prints for Small Areas.”

In order for you repeatable constructions, our title template patterns define codecs that maintain head phrases upfront whereas inviting clicks: Pin title templates with dynamic key phrases (/weblog/title-templates-pinterest).

Descriptions that convert

Assume three elements:

1. Open with the first phrase in a pure sentence: “In search of cozy fall porch concepts that really feel heat and welcoming?”
2. Help with 2–4 associated phrases woven naturally: “pumpkin porch styling,” “price range fall decor,” “entrance stoop wreaths.”
3. Finish with a easy CTA: “See the total how-to and product checklist.”

In order for you assist drafting that duplicate in seconds, Ghostwriter can generate keyword-first titles and descriptions inside Pin Scheduler. Add non-obligatory key phrases and a CTA, then edit evenly for voice. It could even use your model settings when enabled. For examples of phrasing, our information to Pin descriptions & titles has annotated samples (/weblog/pin-description-optimization).

Secure hashtag utilization guidelines (non-obligatory)

• Default to zero.
• Cap at 0–3 whole.
• Use solely hyper-relevant tags that add readability (occasion identify, area of interest time period, or model marketing campaign).
• Place them on the very finish of the outline.
• If a phrase is already in your title/first sentence, skip making it a tag.
• Keep in mind the 19% benchmark above: hashtags are non-obligatory, not required.

Implement It in Tailwind (quick): From copy to cadence

Use Ghostwriter to generate keyword-rich titles/descriptions, SmartPin to create recent Pins weekly from URLs, and Pin Scheduler + Pin Spacing + SmartSchedule to publish at secure intervals and really helpful occasions. This stacks rating alerts whereas avoiding spammy patterns—no hashtag stuffing required.

Generate on-brand, keyword-first copy with Ghostwriter

Right here’s a fast stream you possibly can run in minutes:

• In Pin Scheduler, click on “Generate with Ghostwriter” subsequent to title or description.
• Present your URL and add non-obligatory key phrases you need included.
• Select a “Posting About” sort to steer tone.
• Edit evenly for voice, then insert.

Ghostwriter can pull in your model voice settings (when enabled), helps bulk creation, and integrates with SmartPin whenever you desire a full picture + copy set in a single go. Month-to-month AI credit are included on all plans.

Preserve “recent Pins” coming with SmartPin

Contemporary content material wins distribution. SmartPin turns a URL right into a ready-to-publish Pin—with picture and replica—so you retain new inventive flowing with out ranging from scratch each time.

• It’s auto-generated weekly per enabled URL (toggle anytime).
• You may choose photos SmartPin attracts from and specify key phrases it ought to embody.
• Every SmartPin makes use of three AI credit.

Generate, tweak, and schedule—staying keyword-first by default.

Publish safely and at the very best occasions

• Pin Scheduler: batch every little thing directly, then let the queue deal with consistency.
• Pin Spacing: set a minimal interval between related Pins to keep away from dangerous clusters (minimal—not actual—spacing).
• SmartSchedule: create a calendar with really helpful time slots so that you don’t guess.

Be aware: In Pin Scheduler, SmartSchedule auto-assigns time slots. In Multi-Community Scheduler, it gives really helpful occasions you possibly can apply.

Fast-start guidelines (10–half-hour):

• Choose one URL.
• Draft 3–5 titles and one description utilizing the sample above (or generate with Ghostwriter).
• Create or generate two recent photos that clearly replicate the key phrase theme.
• Schedule 3–5 Pins over the following two weeks utilizing Pin Spacing and SmartSchedule.
• In the event you design in Tailwind Create, ship your photos straight to scheduling, then use Ghostwriter to complete the textual content—no file juggling.

Check, Measure, and Iterate With out Hurting Rankings

Run managed exams. Change titles and descriptions (and non-obligatory, tiny hashtag units) whereas holding photos and boards fixed. Observe impressions, saves, CTR, and key phrase look over 14–28 days. Prune losers, scale winners, maintain spacing intact, and doc your learnings in a residing key phrase pipeline.

A/B the precise method on Pinterest

• One variable at a time: both the title or the primary sentence of the outline.
• Preserve the identical picture and board for clear read-outs.
• Publish each variants inside your regular cadence; Pin Spacing will stop clustering.
• Let the take a look at run 2–4 weeks so search can settle.
• Use SmartSchedule to scale back timing bias between variants.

For a step-by-step framework, see our playbook on A/B testing key phrase variations on Pins (/weblog/ab-testing-keywords-pinterest).

Measure what issues (and when)

• Early: impressions and saves.
• Mid: CTR and saves-to-outbound clicks ratio.
• Later: constant search look for goal phrases.

Keep away from snap calls within the first few days. Pinterest discovery usually takes time. For timelines and a easy dashboard mannequin, use our information to efficiency monitoring and key phrase ROI (/weblog/performance-tracking-pinterest).

Construct a residing key phrase pipeline

Deal with key phrases like a backlog:

• Seed concepts from Pinterest Tendencies and your individual analytics.
• Promote winners to board-level themes.
• Retire or rework underperformers.
• Preserve a rolling calendar of recent Pins tied to your lively set.

For a full walkthrough, use Construct a Multi-Stage Key phrase Pipeline for Pinterest (/weblog/advanced-keyword-pipeline). It pairs nicely with SmartPin for ongoing inventive and Ghostwriter for batch copy.

FAQ & Fable-busting for 2025

Most creators don’t want hashtags to rank. In the event you insist on them, add a small quantity on the finish of the outline—and by no means on the expense of readability. Concentrate on titles, descriptions, board context, and picture relevance; publish persistently with secure spacing and robust timing.

“Does Pinterest nonetheless suggest hashtags?”

There isn’t a present emphasis on hashtags in platform steering. Practitioners broadly default to a keywords-first method whereas Pinterest positions itself as an intent-driven visible search engine. For context, see The Way forward for Search is Visible and a practitioner view of the 2022 shift: The Way forward for Search is Visible | documented shift in 2022

“What number of hashtags ought to I exploit—if any?”

Default to zero. If a tag provides readability—occasion, marketing campaign, or area of interest time period—use a small handful and place them on the finish of the outline. For specifics, comply with the secure utilization guidelines above. The 19% benchmark reveals you don’t want tags to succeed.

“Can hashtags harm my attain?”

They’ll harm readability and make descriptions look spammy—particularly in a block. Overuse may correlate with low-quality patterns Pinterest tries to keep away from. Preserve copy human. Publish on a gentle cadence. Use Pin Spacing (minimal—not actual—intervals) and SmartSchedule to keep away from bursts that look dangerous. Each reside inside Pin Scheduler. Pinterest rewards relevance and consistency; a keywords-first method offers your content material the clearest path to discovery.