Hashtags on Pinterest: Good or Bad in 2024?

For years, hashtags on Pinterest were considered an essential part of Pinterest marketing. Heck, it was an essential part of all social media marketing. We were encouraged to add hashtags to pin descriptions to help our content get discovered. It was even believed that hashtags had some kind of secret coding that would help boost your pin and get more traffic. But is that advice still relevant?

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What Happened to Pinterest?

In recent years (since 2020 mainly) Pinterest has shifted its focus, and much of what we were doing in the past isn’t needed anymore. In fact, many Pinterest experts are having to rewrite courses due to the major Pinterest algorithm change.

Speaking of, one thing that has really frustrated me is that many so-called “Pinterest Experts” are NOT updating their courses and content.

How do I know? I’ve spent a TON of money on courses that give you lifetime access and they are still selling and teaching outdated methods which are not helping anyone increase Pinterest engagement.

I’ll talk about this more later, but the only person I trust is Amy, who wrote Pinterest Rank Boost 2.0. She’s a professional Pinterest VA and marketer. This means her income depends on the success of her clients’ Pinterest boards that she manages. Her course totally changed the trajectory of my own Pinterest business page and again, it’s the only course I recommend.

You don’t need to buy ads to get views on Pinterest! Her book will show you how to get the traffic for free!

Now, back to what we were actually talking about…

So if you’re wondering why hashtags aren’t needed anymore and what you should do instead, this blog post will break it all down.

The Evolution of Hashtags on Pinterest

When hashtags were first introduced to Pinterest, they worked similarly to other social platforms like Instagram or Twitter. Users could click on a hashtag and discover pins related to that hashtag. This made it easy for bloggers and content creators to target specific audiences using niche hashtags in their pin descriptions.

However, in 2020, Pinterest did an absolute overhaul of their algorithm, turning the blogging world upside down and sending many into a panic. Much of what we were used to doing, just wasn’t working anymore. Entire businesses built around pinning on Pinterest were starting to fail.

So, clearly, something had to give. And of course, we had to change our methods.

The biggest mistake I see people make with Pinterest is constantly comparing Pinterest to a social media platform. Pinterest is a search engine. Which means, what you do on Instagram or Facebook, isn’t going to work here. You’ve got to treat it like the search engine it is.

That means, instead of prioritizing hashtags, the platform’s algorithm now focuses more on keywords and user behavior to serve relevant content. Hashtags are not going to have the same impact as a good SEO optimized pin.

Why You Don’t Need Hashtags on Pinterest Anymore

Pinterest’s Focus on Keywords

Remember, Pinterest operates more like a visual search engine than a social media platform. It uses keywords in your pin title, description, and boards to help users discover content. This means that keywords, not hashtags, are the real drivers of traffic on Pinterest.

The platform’s search algorithm identifies pins based on the relevance of keywords, ensuring that your content appears in front of users who are actively searching for those terms. Using keywords in a natural, conversational way in your pin descriptions is much more effective than simply inserting hashtags.

The Behavior of Those Using Pinterest Has Shifted

Hashtags on Pinterest used to serve as a way to group content, but users today are much more likely to use Pinterest’s search bar to find ideas or inspiration. Since users are typing specific search phrases, Pinterest is more focused on showing them pins that match their queries based on keywords—not hashtags.

In fact, including hashtags can sometimes feel out of place, making your pin descriptions look less polished or cluttered, or I just hate to say it – old. Hashtags are a thing of the past, and Pinterest is really prioritizing fresh content, so using an old method, doesn’t say “fresh” does it?

Clean Descriptions Perform Better

Clarity and readability are key to a successful Pinterest strategy. People want to know what this pin is about. They want to know what they’re about to click on and read. So pins with concise, well-written descriptions tend to get more engagement than those with a bunch of hashtags which kind of appears spammy.

Instead of relying on hashtags to get your content noticed, writing a clean, compelling description that explains the value of your pin is far more effective.

Think of your description as an opportunity to sell the idea behind your pin. Rather than a laundry list of hashtags or word soup, you want to create a sentence or two that provides context and draws users in.

What to Do Instead of Using Hashtags on Pinterest

Now that we have established that using hashtags in Pinterest is not necessary, here are some tips for optimizing your Pinterest pin descriptions:

Use Keywords Strategically

Research relevant keywords related to your niche or pin topic, and incorporate them naturally into your pin descriptions. Avoid keyword stuffing; instead, focus on writing descriptions that both Pinterest’s algorithm and users will understand.

For example, if you’re pinning a recipe for a vegan pumpkin pie, your description could say something like: “This easy vegan pumpkin pie recipe is perfect for fall and requires only 5 simple ingredients. Learn how to make this delicious, dairy-free dessert!” You’ve naturally included keywords like “vegan pumpkin pie,” “fall,” and “dairy-free dessert.”

This tells not only the person searching, but the algorithm exactly what your pin is about. Meaning, it should rank not only when they search directly for it, but also in related pins that are also about vegan, fall, or dairy-free recipes, even if they aren’t searching specifically for “vegan pumpkin pie”.

Keep Descriptions Short and Sweet

Pinterest users are quickly scrolling through hundreds of pins, so your descriptions should get to the point. Aim for 1-2 sentences that summarize your pin, include important keywords, and encourage users to take action (like clicking to read a blog post, visit your website, or repin the content).

Related: Is blogging still worth it?

The Future of Pinterest: Focusing on Quality Over Quantity

Pinterest’s algorithm has become more sophisticated, and its goal is to provide users with high-quality, relevant content. This means that rather than relying on tricks like hashtags, you should focus on creating valuable pins that resonate with your audience. No one likes to be tricked. Overall, you’ll build a better relationship with your audience if you stick to these practices. Which is going to benefit you so much more in the long run.

Hashtags may have been helpful in the past, but today, they no longer provide the same value. By focusing on well-written descriptions, smart keyword usage, and high-quality visuals, you’ll set your pins up for success—without the need for hashtags.

If you’ve been adding hashtags to your Pinterest pin descriptions, it’s time to rethink your strategy.

Do you need to go back and delete hashtags from all your old pins? No. But you do not need to include hashtags on your pins from this point forward.

I hope this helped you out! It’s something that I haven’t seen a lot of people talking about lately. But using outdated pinning methods can really tank your engagement.

That’s why it’s important to invest in resources like Pinterest Rank Boost 2.0 which was written by someone who works as a Pinterest VA for a living! This means, her income and livelihood depends on understanding Pinterest – correctly!

I have spent so much money on Pinterest courses that are actually outdated. I didn’t even know it because I wasn’t a Pinterest expert! So, I was spending my money and time, putting in these practices and not seeing ANY results. Pinterest Rank Boost 2.0 was a huge game changer. I can’t thank Amy enough for putting this guide together. And taking the time to thoroughly research Pinterest so we can all be successful!

Owls of Athena