Ever noticed one thing wonderful whereas scrolling Pinterest and puzzled the place you could possibly discover extra prefer it? Possibly you’ve seen a stunning espresso desk in somebody’s feed or a shocking outfit that caught your eye, and conventional key phrase searches simply weren’t slicing it.
That’s precisely the place Pinterest’s picture search function is useful.
Pinterest picture search enables you to use pictures as an alternative of phrases to find precisely what you’re searching for. Whether or not you’re looking for dwelling decor inspiration, attempting to establish a thriller plant, or looking for merchandise just like one thing you’ve photographed, Pinterest’s visible search know-how (referred to as Pinterest Lens) makes it extremely straightforward to search out what you want.
What’s Pinterest Picture Search?
Pinterest picture search is powered by Pinterest Lens, which may analyze photographs and discover related content material throughout Pinterest’s large database. As a substitute of typing in key phrases and hoping you stumble throughout what you’re searching for, you’ll be able to merely add a photograph or level your digital camera at an object, and Pinterest will present you associated Pins.
This can be a game-changer in comparison with conventional key phrase searches as a result of visible search understands context in ways in which textual content alone can’t seize. For instance, in the event you seek for “blue costume,” you’ll get 1000’s of outcomes. However in the event you add a photograph of a selected vintage-style blue costume with intricate lace particulars, Pinterest Lens will present you related clothes with these actual traits.
The actual magic occurs in on a regular basis conditions. You is likely to be at a pal’s home and fall in love with their eating room setup, or you could possibly see an fascinating architectural element whereas strolling round your neighborhood. With Pinterest Lens, you’ll be able to seize these moments and immediately discover related concepts, merchandise, or tutorials.
Methods to Search by Picture on Pinterest (Cellular App)
The Pinterest cell app gives probably the most strong picture search expertise. Right here’s the way to use it:
Step 1: Open the Pinterest app in your cellphone or pill.
Step 2: Faucet the search bar on the high of your display, then search for the digital camera icon on the suitable aspect of the search bar.
Step 3: You’ll see three choices:
- Take a photograph: Level your digital camera at any object in real-time
- Add from gallery: Select an present photograph out of your cellphone
- Search your screenshots: Pinterest will robotically counsel latest screenshots that is likely to be good for visible searches
Step 4: After importing or taking your photograph, Pinterest will analyze the picture and present you related Pins. You possibly can faucet on totally different components of the picture to focus your search on particular components.
Utilizing Pinterest Lens in Actual Life
Listed here are some sensible methods I’ve seen associates use Pinterest Lens successfully:
- Scanning furnishings at a espresso store to search out related items for his or her condo
- Photographing vegetation at a botanical backyard to establish species and care directions
- Capturing outfit particulars from road type to recreate appears to be like on a funds
- Taking pictures of fascinating tile patterns throughout dwelling renovations to search out suppliers
The secret’s to get good, clear pictures with first rate lighting. Pinterest Lens works finest when it will probably clearly see the main points of what you’re attempting to establish.
Methods to Search by Picture on Pinterest (Desktop)
Sadly, Pinterest’s desktop expertise for picture search is way more restricted in comparison with the cell app.
The total Pinterest Lens performance isn’t out there on desktop browsers, which suggests you’ll be able to’t merely drag and drop photographs into the search bar for visible searches.
Your finest workaround is to make use of the cell app or cell browser model of Pinterest for picture searches, even in the event you favor searching on desktop for different Pinterest actions. Many customers I do know will take a fast photograph on their cellphone to go looking with Pinterest Lens, then proceed searching the outcomes on their laptop.
You too can choose the “Discover” possibility on the backside of the picture to disclose related photographs.
Pinterest has been focusing closely on mobile-first options, which is smart since visible search naturally works higher with digital camera performance that’s at all times in your pocket.
Advantages of Utilizing Pinterest Picture Search
Pinterest picture search gives a number of distinctive benefits that make it extremely helpful for discovery:
- Quicker, extra correct discovery: When what one thing appears to be like like however can’t describe it in phrases, visible search is infinitely quicker than attempting numerous key phrase combos. That is particularly useful for summary ideas like “that particular shade of inexperienced I noticed in {a magazine}” or “furnishings with clear strains however some curved components.”
- Buying made easy: Pinterest picture search is incredible for purchasing inspiration and discovering merchandise. In line with Tailwind’s 2025 Pinterest Advertising and marketing Benchmark Examine, shopping-related content material performs exceptionally nicely on Pinterest, with Style, Decor, and Magnificence content material seeing notably sturdy engagement.
- Inventive inspiration with out inventive blocks: Visible search helps whenever you’re creatively caught. As a substitute of observing a clean temper board questioning what type course to take, you’ll be able to search with photographs that symbolize the sensation or aesthetic you’re going for.
- Discovering associated concepts: Pinterest Lens doesn’t simply discover actual matches — it finds conceptually associated content material. Search with a photograph of a country picket desk, and also you may uncover farmhouse eating room setups, DIY wooden ending strategies, or complementary rustic decor concepts you hadn’t thought-about.
Troubleshooting Pinterest Picture Search
Typically Pinterest Lens doesn’t work as anticipated. Listed here are frequent points and options:
Digital camera icon not displaying up: Be sure your Pinterest app is up to date to the most recent model. Older variations of the app won’t have the total visible search performance. Additionally, verify that Pinterest has digital camera permissions enabled in your cellphone’s settings.
Poor or irrelevant outcomes: This often comes right down to photograph high quality. Pinterest Lens works finest with:
- Good lighting (pure gentle is good)
- Clear, targeted photographs
- Pictures the place the principle topic takes up many of the body
- Minimal background distractions
No outcomes in any respect: Attempt cropping your picture to give attention to the precise aspect you need to seek for. Typically Pinterest Lens will get confused by busy backgrounds or a number of objects in a single photograph.
Various strategy: If Pinterest Lens isn’t providing you with what you want, attempt beginning with a broad key phrase search after which utilizing Pinterest Lens on the outcomes you discover. This mixture strategy typically yields higher outcomes than both technique alone.
Suggestions for Higher Pinterest Picture Search Outcomes
Getting nice outcomes from Pinterest picture search is an element artwork, half science. Listed here are methods that persistently work nicely:
- Use good lighting and clear angles: Pure lighting nearly at all times produces higher search outcomes than synthetic lighting. When photographing objects, attempt to keep away from harsh shadows or excessive angles which may confuse Pinterest’s picture recognition.
- Crop strategically: Earlier than looking out, crop your picture to give attention to the principle aspect you’re excited about. If you wish to discover related espresso mugs, crop out the background café scene and focus simply on the mug.
- Mix strategies for precision: Begin with Pinterest Lens to get in the suitable ballpark, then use key phrase searches to refine your outcomes. For instance, use visible search to search out related eating room types, then add key phrases like “small area” or “funds pleasant” to slim down the outcomes.
- Attempt totally different components of the identical picture: Pinterest Lens enables you to faucet on totally different sections of your photograph to focus the search. For those who add a photograph of an outfit, you’ll be able to faucet particularly on the sneakers, the jewellery, or the general type to get totally different units of outcomes.
- Save and set up as you search: Create devoted boards to your visible search discoveries. This makes it straightforward to match choices and refer again to concepts later. Utilizing Tailwind’s Pinterest Extension may also help streamline this saving course of whenever you’re researching throughout a number of sources.
Discovering Pinterest Key phrases Via Visible Search
One often-overlooked advantage of Pinterest picture search is the way it may also help you uncover efficient key phrases to your personal content material. Whenever you search with a picture and discover profitable Pins in your area of interest, take note of the language these creators use of their Pin titles and descriptions.
That is notably priceless for content material creators and companies attempting to know how their viewers searches for merchandise or concepts. Visible search outcomes can reveal key phrase combos you won’t have thought-about, serving to you optimize your individual Pinterest technique.
For those who’re trying to dive deeper into Pinterest key phrase analysis, Tailwind’s free Pinterest key phrase software may also help you uncover trending search phrases and optimize your content material for higher discovery.
Regularly Requested Questions About Pinterest Picture Search
Can I take advantage of Pinterest picture search to search out the unique supply of a picture?
Pinterest picture search is designed to search out related content material reasonably than observe down authentic sources. When you may often discover the unique Pin that approach, Pinterest Lens is primarily targeted on displaying you associated concepts and merchandise reasonably than functioning as a reverse picture search engine.
Does Pinterest picture search work with screenshots from different social media platforms?
Sure! Pinterest Lens can analyze screenshots from Instagram, TikTok, or different platforms. Actually, Pinterest particularly suggests latest screenshots whenever you open the digital camera function, recognizing that many customers need to discover Pinterest-friendly variations of concepts they’ve seen elsewhere.
Why do my Pinterest picture search outcomes generally embrace merchandise I can’t afford?
Pinterest’s algorithm doesn’t filter outcomes by value vary throughout visible searches. To seek out extra budget-friendly alternate options, attempt including key phrases like “inexpensive,” “funds,” or “DIY” to your search after utilizing Pinterest Lens, or search for related Pins which may hyperlink to totally different retailers or tutorials.
Can Pinterest picture search establish textual content or phrases in photographs?
Pinterest Lens focuses totally on visible components like objects, colours, and types reasonably than studying textual content inside photographs. For those who’re looking for one thing primarily based on textual content you’ve seen in a Pin, you’ll have higher luck typing these phrases straight into Pinterest’s search bar.
