How to Research Keywords on Pinterest
This blog shares information about SEO Keywords and how to find Pinterest Keywords. When starting out in the online space and using Pinterest, I heard these words used often. I really didn’t know much about SEO or what these magical keywords were. In this blog I am going to break down the basics of what Keywords and SEO are, how to find them and how to use them on Pinterest.
Keywords and SEO are extremely important to your success when using Pinterest Marketing for your business. But, SEO and Keywords are also important in your overall marketing plan. I will talk more about how you should be using them all over your biz!
Note: I am giving you the basics here. SEO is a very in-depth specialty. My goal is to provide you with some tips to research keywords for your content and use them on Pinterest.
Let’s start with the definitions:
SEO - Search Engine Optimization
SEO is the process of increasing the quality and amount of your website, shop, blog, or in our case, Pinterest traffic. It is a way of ranking higher in organic (meaning not paid) search. It is the process of adding information (keywords) on your website, content, Pinterest account that helps search engines (and people) find you or be correctly matched with what you are offering. It allows people to find you when they type something they are looking for in search.
Good SEO research allows businesses to find these important words and phrases that let them know what their ideal customer is searching for and then in turn, they can offer content, products or services that meet the needs of that customer. SEO research helps us understand the questions our customers need answers to, what they want to purchase and desire.
When you know WHAT they are looking for, then you can provide that to them. AND, when you are using those commonly used words and phrases to describe what you are offering, it helps search engines match you with the people making the search.
Here’s an example: I knew I wanted to write this post about Keywords on Pinterest and where to use keywords to increase reach and traffic on Pinterest. What I didn’t know was exactly what words someone would use to search for an answer to their question. “How to use Keywords on Pinterest?” “Where to Use Keywords?” “What are SEO Keywords?” So I did some research and I am making sure to use the most commonly used words and phrases here in my post. I will also use those words in my Pin Graphics, Titles and Descriptions (but more on that later).
By using these Keywords, I am optimizing my post (and later Pinterest graphics) to be found in search more easily when someone uses those words and phrases in their search.
Keywords
Keywords are the words and phrases used in a website, blog, shop or on Pinterest that make it possible for people to find relevant content when using search engines (Pinterest is a visual search engine). Websites, blog posts, product descriptions and Pinterest Accounts that are well optimized for search with keywords will be more easily and often found when someone is searching for that item.
Here is an example, when writing a blog post about keywords, I will use the word “keyword” or phrases like “keyword phrases” or “how to find keywords”. These are all commonly used phrases for people searching for information about using keywords. I will also use these in my Pinterest Graphics for the blog post.
How to Research and Pick Keywords
When researching Keywords, I recommend looking in a few places. It can be super easy. Start by doing some research on Pinterest and Google.
Pinterest - On Pinterest, start your search by typing something relevant to the information you are looking for into the search bar. In the graphic to the right, I am using the example of searching for Mother’s Day Gifts. You will see that when I typed mothers day gift, Pinterest automatically indicated below other related, commonly used search words and phrases. These are great keyword phrases. When you click and go a step further, Pinterest will provide word bubbles below. These are also keywords. (note, not all searches will produce these bubbles but Pinterest will still show these bubbles for many niche’s).
Google - On Google, start your search by typing something relevant into the search bar. I use the same example, mothers day gift, in the example in the graphic. Google will produce a list of commonly used search terms relevant/similar to what you are searching for (see the middle section of the graphic). Then, when you hit enter, scroll to the bottom of the page and you will see a list of commonly used searches similar to what you are looking for. These are all keywords and keyword phrases for the topic you are searching.
Using Pinterest and Google to help research keywords is easy. Both will guide you towards the most commonly used words and phrases for your content. Tip: I create a spreadsheet for my keywords. Each column is for a particular piece of content, blog post, Pinterest board. And I list all of my possible keywords in that column. I review and update this list as needed. And always refer back to it as I am creating new content for my business.
Where to Use Keywords
When you conduct keyword research in any of these ways, you are coming up with words that you should use in your content - in your blogs, on your website, in your product descriptions and on Pinterest. Let’s review where you should use your keywords:
Keywords will help you to be found in search on Pinterest. There are quite a few places to use them in your Pinterest Marketing efforts.
Profile - As you complete your Pinterest Profile, make sure to include keywords for your business where possible. Your profile description should tell viewers what your business about and what you offer. Try to carefully and naturally weave in keywords that will help searchers find you.
Board Titles - Your account will include relevant boards for your content. The names of those boards should be easy to understand, clear and should include relevant keywords. While fun, cute names may seem appealing when you are creating your titles, I suggest something more straight forward. Remember, Pinterest is attempting to match you and your content to searchers. You want to be sure it is clear to the search engine what can be found in the board.
Board Descriptions - Once you have added a board to your account, fill in the description with a clear explanation of what can be found in the board. I usually start out with a couple sentences to explain a board and then include a listing of various keywords and keyword phrases to fill out the descriptions. Always fill your description, don’t leave empty space. This is another area where Pinterest is looking to understand what your account and board are about so they can send searchers your way.
Pin Graphics - There are quite a few areas of your pins to use keywords.
Text Overlay - As you create your pin graphics, if you are including text overlay, it’s the perfect place to add keywords. The text you use on your pins should be clear and easy to understand.
Pin Title - The Pin Title is one of the first things viewers see. It is the perfect place to include keywords. I often use the same words I use in my text overlay. Being consistent and clear helps Pinterest and viewers understand what they will get when they click on your pin.
Pin Description - The Pin Description is another place to include information about your pin and what people will get when they click. Use keywords in your description as well. This will help viewers understand your content but will also help Pinterest direct people to your Pin.
Other Locations for Keywords
While this blog post provides information primarily about keywords for Pinterest, I think it’s important to mention that there are lots of other places you should use keywords. Remember that keywords help search engines (Google, Pinterest, etc.) match you with people searching for content like yours. A few recommendations for keyword usage:
Website SEO - If you have the opportunity to include SEO on your website or shop site, you need to. This could be on images, in page descriptions, blog descriptions.
Shop Site - If you have on online shop, use keywords in your shop description, about page, product titles and descriptions.
Blog Posts - If you include a blog on your site, be sure to use keywords throughout the blog to help search engines identify what your blog is about. This will help match you with people looking for content like yours.
Other Website Pages - Use keywords on your About Page, Business Description, Services Page and anywhere appropriate.
Keyword Stuffing - Don’t do it!
I have talked a lot about how important it is to use keywords. BUT, it is also very important that you don’t OVERUSE your keywords. When visitors see your content, whatever it is, you want them to have a positive user experience. This means it’s important to provide easy to view or read, natural feeling content. It is incredibly obvious when someone is over using or “stuffing” keywords for the purposes of attracting search engine results. Don’t do this. You will very quickly lose your viewers! As you use keywords, do so naturally and you will accomplish both results in search and a positive user experience.
Conclusion
SEO and Keywords are extremely important to your success when using Pinterest Marketing for your business. I am hopeful that the basics provided here will get you started and help you understand what SEO and keywords are all about. Using your keywords on Pinterest will help Pinterest match your potential customer with you in search.