Have you ever spent hours scrolling through Pinterest, saving ideas, and planning your dream life? What if you could turn that time into a money-making opportunity? Welcome to Pinterest affiliate marketing, where eye-catching pins meet passive income.
Whether you’re new to affiliate marketing or looking to expand your income streams, Pinterest is one of the most powerful platforms to drive traffic and generate sales. This guide will walk you through the essentials, from using affiliate links effectively to designing high-converting pins and attracting an engaged audience. No fluff, no jargon—just a clear, step-by-step strategy to help you make money with Pinterest.
Why Pinterest is a Goldmine for Affiliate Marketing
Think of Pinterest as more than just a social media platform—it’s a visual search engine where users actively look for inspiration, solutions, and products to buy. Unlike other social networks where posts quickly disappear in a feed, Pinterest pins have a long lifespan, continuing to drive traffic for months or even years.
Key Pinterest Stats That Matter for Affiliate Marketers
- Millions of Active Users – Pinterest boasts millions of users worldwide, with a strong presence across different demographics.
- 42% of Pinterest’s Global Audience is Gen Z – If your target market includes younger shoppers, this platform is a prime opportunity to reach them.
- Pins Drive Long-Term Traffic – Unlike Instagram or TikTok posts that fade within hours, Pinterest pins can generate consistent clicks for months.
- Affiliate Links Are Allowed – Unlike some social platforms that restrict direct affiliate links, Pinterest allows them, making it easier to monetize.
How to make money on Pinterest with affiliate marketing: 5 Steps for success
Pinterest isn’t just for DIY projects and recipe inspiration—it’s also a powerful platform for affiliate marketing. With the right strategy, you can turn your pins into passive income by promoting affiliate products that align with your niche.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to scale your affiliate earnings, this guide will walk you through five essential steps to making money on Pinterest with affiliate marketing.
Step 1: Set Up and Optimize Your Pinterest Business Account
Before you start pinning affiliate links, you need a Pinterest Business account to access powerful tools like analytics, ads, and rich pins. Optimizing your account properly will help you maximize visibility and conversions.
If you’re currently using a personal Pinterest account, switching to a business account is simple. Go to Pinterest for Business and sign up, or if you already have a personal account, convert it to a business account in your settings. A business account provides valuable insights, such as which pins generate the most clicks and conversions, allowing you to refine your strategy.
Besides, claiming your website is another essential step, as it boosts credibility and increases visibility on Pinterest. To do this, navigate to Settings → Claimed Accounts and add your website URL. If you also promote content from other platforms, such as YouTube or Instagram, connect those accounts as well.
Once your website is claimed, your pins will support rich pin functionality, meaning they automatically pull extra details from your site. This not only enhances engagement but also builds trust with potential customers, increasing your chances of driving traffic and sales.
Step 2: Find & Join Affiliate Programs
To make money with Pinterest affiliate marketing, you need high-converting affiliate programs that align with your niche. Since Pinterest doesn’t have its own affiliate program, you’ll need to join individual programs or affiliate networks to find the best opportunities.
Individual affiliate programs are directly managed by product owners, and you can apply through their affiliate pages. Some great options include Printify Affiliates, where you earn 5% per order on referred customers who purchase from the Printify catalog, Amazon Associates, which allows you to promote millions of products across various niches, and Bluehost, which offers up to $65 per referral for web hosting signups.
Alternatively, affiliate networks connect affiliates with multiple brands, allowing you to sign up once and apply to multiple programs. Top networks include Awin, which features over 30,000 advertisers across multiple industries, ShareASale, known for high-paying brands in fashion, home, and tech, and CJ Affiliate, which partners with major brands in travel, finance, and education.
Before joining any program, review key factors such as commission rates (higher commissions mean more earnings), cookie duration (how long after a click you can still earn a commission), payment methods (such as PayPal or bank transfer), and promotion rules (some programs restrict direct linking on Pinterest).
For the best results, research high-paying affiliate programs in your niche using Google or directories like “High Paying Affiliate Programs.” By choosing the right programs and following Pinterest marketing strategies, you can maximize your affiliate earnings effectively.
Step 3: Create & Share Pins with Affiliate Links
Now it’s time to turn Pinterest traffic into income by creating pins that drive clicks and conversions. To create an effective affiliate pin, start by copying your affiliate link from your network dashboard. Then, go to Pinterest and click the plus (+) button to create a new pin. Upload an eye-catching image in a vertical format (1000×1500 px) to grab attention.
Next, write a compelling title that includes relevant keywords. In the pin description, clearly highlight the product’s benefits and include a strong call to action (CTA), such as “Shop now” or “Grab yours today!” Be sure to add relevant hashtags like #affiliatemarketing and #PinterestTips. Paste your affiliate link in the destination URL field, ensuring you follow Pinterest’s guidelines (no cloaking allowed). Select a relevant board, as Pinterest categorizes your content based on boards, and tag topics to improve visibility.
To maximize conversions, consider these pro tips. Test multiple designs by experimenting with text overlays, carousel pins, and video pins. Use Idea Pins, which function like Instagram Stories, to keep users engaged longer. Leverage Pinterest Trends by creating seasonal content and pins related to trending topics. Track your performance using Pinterest Analytics to identify which pins drive the most traffic and sales.
As a bonus, use design tools like Canva, Tailwind, or Adobe to create professional-looking, high-converting pins. By following these strategies, you can optimize your affiliate marketing efforts and increase your Pinterest earnings.
Step 4: Add Disclosures & Follow Pinterest’s Guidelines
Transparency is key! Affiliate disclosure is required by law and helps protect your Pinterest account from suspension. Being upfront about affiliate links not only keeps you compliant but also builds trust with your audience.
How to Add an Affiliate Disclosure on Pinterest
When using affiliate links, always use clear language to disclose them. A simple statement such as, “This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.” ensures transparency and compliance.
To properly disclose your affiliate links, place the disclosure before or near the link itself. Using hashtags like #affiliatelink, #sponsored, or #paidlink can also make it clear to users. Alternatively, you can use symbols such as [aff], [ad], or [spon] to indicate an affiliate link.
Here are some examples of affiliate disclosures in pin descriptions:
- “Looking for a cozy blanket? This one from Printify is super soft and stylish! [aff]”
- “Want to start your blog in 2024? Bluehost is my go-to for fast, reliable hosting. #paidlink”
Pinterest’s Affiliate Marketing Rules
To maintain a successful affiliate marketing strategy on Pinterest, follow these important rules:
- No spam – Avoid posting the same affiliate links repeatedly or spamming boards.
- No misleading claims – Only promote products and services truthfully and ethically.
- No prohibited content – Do not share affiliate links related to adult content, gambling, or drugs.
- No link cloaking – Use direct affiliate links, as Pinterest may block shortened or cloaked links.
By following these best practices, you’ll ensure long-term success and keep your Pinterest account in good standing!
Step 5: Grow Your Traffic & Affiliate Income
Pinterest favors fresh content, so staying active is key. Posting 5-10 new pins per day increases visibility and helps keep your account engaged with the platform’s algorithm.
Mastering Pinterest SEO is crucial for reaching a larger audience. Optimize your pin titles, descriptions, and board names with high-traffic keywords. Utilize Pinterest Trends to discover popular search terms, and take advantage of tools like SEMrush and eRank to identify trending keywords that can boost your content’s discoverability.
Diversifying your pin formats can also enhance engagement. Video Pins are heavily promoted by Pinterest, making them a great way to capture attention. Idea Pins allow you to keep users engaged with multi-slide content, while Carousel Pins let you showcase multiple angles or variations of a product, increasing the likelihood of conversions.
Analyzing and scaling your strategy ensures long-term success. Use Pinterest Analytics to track which pins generate the most clicks and conversions. Double down on high-performing pin styles while improving underperforming ones with updated designs and stronger calls to action.
The formula is simple: more traffic equals more commissions. By implementing these strategies, you can turn Pinterest into a reliable income stream!
How to Make Money with Printify Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest
Affiliate marketing on Pinterest is a powerful way to earn passive income, and Printify makes it easier than ever to monetize your audience. As a leading print-on-demand (POD) platform, Printify allows you to promote custom products without the hassle of inventory management or upfront costs. Whether you’re helping entrepreneurs start their own POD businesses or inspiring creative customers to design personalized merchandise, you’ll earn a 5% commission on every sale—without any earnings cap.
If you’re ready to start making money with affiliate marketing on Pinterest, here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.
1. Sign Up for the Printify Affiliate Program
Joining the Printify affiliate program is free and straightforward. To get started:
- Visit the Printify Affiliate Program page and sign up.
- Fill out a brief application, providing details about your content platform and marketing strategy.
- Printify will review your application within two business days. Once approved, you’ll receive a unique affiliate link.
- Share your affiliate link within your Pinterest pins, blog posts, or social media to start earning commissions.
With no limits on earnings, you can scale your affiliate income based on your efforts.
2. Create Pinterest-Worthy Pins That Convert
Pinterest is a visual search engine, so high-quality, engaging pins are essential. Follow these best practices to maximize engagement:
- Use eye-catching images – Showcase Printify’s customizable products with bold, high-resolution images.
- Incorporate video pins – Pinterest prioritizes video content, making it a great way to demonstrate Printify’s product customization options.
- Optimize for SEO – Include relevant keywords in your pin titles and descriptions, such as “custom print-on-demand mugs” or “personalized t-shirts for small businesses.”
- Create niche-themed boards – Organize your pins into categories like “Custom Gifts,” “Print-on-Demand T-Shirts,” or “Small Business Branding.”
- Include a strong call-to-action – Encourage users to check out your affiliate link by adding phrases like “Start your own POD business today!”
With over 1,300 customizable products available on Printify—including t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, pet beds, and even hockey pucks—you’ll have plenty of content to keep your Pinterest boards fresh and engaging.
3. Drive Traffic and Increase Your Affiliate Earnings
To maximize your affiliate sales, focus on driving targeted traffic to your Pinterest pins and affiliate links. Here’s how:
- Post consistently – Pinterest rewards regular activity, so aim to pin fresh content daily.
- Follow Pinterest trends – Stay updated with seasonal trends and viral product ideas to attract a larger audience.
- Engage with your audience – Respond to comments, re-pin relevant content, and create interactive idea pins.
- Share valuable content – Mix in non-promotional posts like design tips, business success stories, and print-on-demand marketing strategies to build credibility.
- Leverage other social media platforms – Use Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to showcase Printify’s products and direct followers to your Pinterest boards.
Final Thoughts: Complete Beginner Guide for Pinterest Affiliate Marketing
Pinterest and affiliate marketing are a powerful combination, offering endless opportunities for passive income. With its visual appeal and high purchase intent, Pinterest serves as the perfect platform for promoting Printify’s customizable products. By creating SEO-optimized pins, leveraging trends, and engaging with your audience, you can drive traffic, increase conversions, and grow your affiliate earnings.
For Printify affiliates, this is more than just a way to make commissions—it’s an opportunity to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and help them launch their own print-on-demand businesses. If you’re ready to tap into Pinterest’s potential, start pinning today and turn your passion for design and marketing into a profitable online venture!
