Instagram vs Pinterest for Bloggers – Which is Best

Instagram vs. Pinterest for bloggers: Compare audience, engagement, link sharing, and SEO to choose the best platform for your blog’s visibility and traffic.

What to Expect in This Article

If you’re a new blogger, choosing the right platform can transform your blog’s visibility and business growth. As you navigate social media platforms, Instagram and Pinterest may stand out as visual platforms for content creation. Each offers unique features to boost brand awareness and drive traffic, but which is the better platform for your blog post?

This step-by-step guide looks at each social network from a blogging perspective, exploring key differences, marketing goals, and the best way to leverage both for new audiences.

Let’s dive into why Pinterest marketing or Instagram’s audience might be a unique platform for you!

But first things first: Here’s a list of things you can expect to find in this article: 

Why Instagram and Pinterest Matter for Bloggers

Social media marketing is a great opportunity for new bloggers to grow their online presence. Instagram, with monthly active users in the billions, excels at immediate engagement, while Pinterest, a visual search engine, drives website traffic with evergreen content. Do you monetize through affiliate links? The Pinterest platform tends to be better at getting you page views (outbound clicks) for your blog, while Instagram may be better for brand identity. Understanding the main differences helps you align the type of content you create for your target audience.

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Know Your Audience: Who’s on Each Platform?

The first step is identifying where your target audience hangs out. Instagram’s audience is diverse, primarily 18–34-year-olds, with a lot of people engaging via Instagram posts, Instagram stories, and reels. It’s a great place for lifestyle bloggers or influencer marketing, especially if your blog content includes human faces or personal stories.

Pinterest, with a user base dominated by women and a slightly older demographic (25–44), is ideal for home decor, food, or DIY bloggers. Pinterest users seek inspiration, making it a valuable platform for content types like tutorials or guides. Small business owners targeting potential customers in niche markets find Pinterest a great way to connect.

Actionable Tip: Tailor your profile bio on both social platforms. On Instagram, highlight personal connection; for your Pinterest account, use keyword-rich descriptions for search engine optimization.

Content and Engagement: Connection vs. Inspiration

Instagram thrives on personal engagement through likes, comments, direct messages, and shares. Instagram stories and video content like reels create a personal account vibe, fostering relationships with new audiences. For example, a fashion blogger sharing behind-the-scenes reels can build brand identity quickly.

Pinterest focuses on saving inspiration for later. Pinterest pins, especially rich pins, remain evergreen, driving traffic long after posting. A home decor pin on Pinterest boards can attract clicks months later, unlike Instagram posts that fade quickly. Content creators prioritize high-quality content like tutorials for Pinterest’s long-term engagement.

Actionable Tip: Think through how you use the social media sites: Create great content for Instagram with human faces and stories; for Pinterest, focus on evergreen blog content like DIY guides to maximize longevity.

Link Sharing Capabilities: Traffic Goldmine vs. Limited Access

Pinterest is a goldmine for website traffic. Each pin links directly to your blog post, making it an easy way to drive traffic. Rich pins pull content details, enhancing click-through rates. A travel blogger pinning a guide can see page views soar with a simple click.

Instagram is limited for link sharing. Captions aren’t clickable, and links in bio or swipe-up links (for accounts with 10K+ followers) make it challenging to get new readers to your site. Instagram stories with links are a new way to do this, but click-through rates are lower than those on Pinterest.

Actionable Tip: Use Pinterest for direct traffic with rich pins; on Instagram, drive email list sign-ups via bio links to support your sales funnel.

Discovery vs. Storytelling: Purpose and Approach

Instagram is about storytelling and real-time engagement. Instagram users connect with brand stories through reels, Instagram posts, or live sessions, making it a great platform for building relationships. A food blogger sharing a recipe reel fosters an immediate connection.

Pinterest is built for discovery. Users save pins on group boards or personal boards for future use, ideal for long-term content discovery. Pinterest boards for home decor or DIY attract new audiences seeking inspiration, not real-time interaction.

Actionable Tip: Share video content on Instagram for brand storytelling via the mobile app; pin evergreen blog posts on Pinterest to curate inspiration for potential customers.

SEO & Traffic Boost: Search Engine vs. Branding

Pinterest operates as a visual search engine, where search engine optimization is key. Optimize pin titles, descriptions, and boards with keywords like “home decor ideas” to rank in search results. Pinterest analytics helps track clicks and saves, boosting your blog’s traffic.

Instagram, while excellent for brand visibility, offers less direct traffic unless using strategic link placement (e.g., bio links, stories). Use of hashtags improves discoverability, but SEO impact is minimal compared to Pinterest’s keyword-driven approach.

Actionable Tip: Use Pinterest analytics to refine pin keywords; on Instagram, leverage hashtags and Instagram stories to boost brand awareness for new content.

Why Not Both?

The bottom line? Using both platforms can maximize reach. Instagram offers a personal touch and immediate engagement, perfect for building relationships with new audiences. Pinterest excels at driving traffic and long-term visibility, making it a valuable platform for evergreen content. Content creators can share a YouTube video on Instagram for engagement and pin it on Pinterest for traffic.

Actionable Tip: Create a Pinterest business account for traffic and an Instagram account for brand identity. Use Instagram stories for real-time updates and Pinterest boards for long-term discovery.

Instagram vs. Pinterest

The best platform depends on your marketing goals:

• Instagram: Ideal for lifestyle bloggers or small businesses focusing on brand awareness and influencer marketing. Use reels, stories, and posts to connect with Instagram’s audience (18–34).
• Pinterest: The best place for new bloggers in home decor, food, or DIY, aiming for website traffic and sales funnel growth. Rich pins and group boards drive clicks to blog posts.

Key Differences:

• Audience: Instagram (younger, diverse); Pinterest (women, 25–44).
• Engagement: Instagram (real-time, likes); Pinterest (saves, long-term).
• Traffic: Pinterest (direct links); Instagram (limited links).
• Content: Instagram (video content, stories); Pinterest (evergreen pins).

Major Differences in 2025:

• Instagram: Reels and live sessions dominate, with hashtags boosting discoverability. Last year, Instagram posts drove engagement but fewer clicks to blogs.
• Pinterest: Rich pins and group boards deliver page views, with Pinterest analytics showing long-term traffic growth.

Practical Tips for Success

• Instagram:
  • Optimize your profile bio with a clickable link to your email list or blog post.
  • Post at the best times (e.g., evenings) for Instagram’s audience.
  • Use video content like reels to showcase human faces and brand stories.
• Pinterest:
  • Create 5–10 unique pins per blog post with high-quality visuals (e.g., primary color schemes).
  • Schedule pins with Tailwind to maintain consistent pinning.
  • Join group boards to reach a wider audience, but prioritize personal boards for brand control.

A Balanced Strategy

The good news? You don’t have to choose one platform. Instagram and Pinterest serve different purposes:

• Instagram: Build brand identity with Instagram stories and reels for immediate engagement.
• Pinterest: Drive website traffic with rich pins and group boards for long-term discovery.

Small business owners can use Instagram for direct messages with potential customers, while Pinterest funnels clicks to new products. Content creators can share YouTube videos on Instagram for engagement and pin them on Pinterest for traffic. 

What Now? 

Instagram and Pinterest are great things for new bloggers, but their unique features cater to different platforms’ strengths. Instagram is the ideal platform for storytelling and brand awareness, perfect for lifestyle bloggers connecting with new audiences. Pinterest is a goldmine for website traffic, ideal for home decor or DIY bloggers leveraging rich pins. The best way? Use both in your digital marketing:

• Instagram: Post reels and stories to build relationships.
• Pinterest: Pin evergreen content to group boards for traffic.

Content creators can experiment with new content on both social media networks. Track Pinterest analytics for pin performance and Google Analytics for Instagram-driven traffic. Good idea: Share a blog post on Instagram stories and pin it to Pinterest boards for maximum reach. Which platform drives most traffic for you? Comment below and share your Pinterest strategy or Instagram page success!

A word from us: 

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