Should Hashtags Be Used on Pinterest in 2025?

Hashtags on Pinterest in 2025 can help boost visibility. Find out if they still work and how to use them in your Pinterest strategy.

Pinterest stands out in the social media world with its focus on visual discovery and inspiration, serving as a powerful search engine for images and ideas. As users and marketers alike dive into this platform, a common query arises: “Do you use hashtags on Pinterest?” In this post, we’ll delve into the effectiveness of hashtags on Pinterest, exploring how they function, when to use them, and what alternatives might serve you better in your Pinterest strategy.

Understanding Hashtags on Pinterest

Hashtags are a common way to organize content and make it easier to find on social media. On Instagram and Twitter, you can click a hashtag to see a feed of related posts. But Pinterest works a little differently. Hashtag searches don’t pull up a hashtag feed like they do on other platforms, but they’re still useful for categorizing content.

Hashtags in Pinterest descriptions help Pinterest users find relevant content when they use the Pinterest search bar. Adding the right mix of popular hashtags, niche hashtags, and related hashtags to the description of your pin can improve your pin’s visibility. Since Pinterest’s search algorithm favors new content, using hashtags can help surface your freshest pins in search results.

While hashtags don’t function the same way on Pinterest as they do elsewhere, a solid hashtag strategy can still boost your Pinterest marketing strategy. The best approach is to use specific, keyword-focused hashtags that align with your target audience and avoid irrelevant hashtags that might hurt your pin’s reach.

Current State of Hashtags on Pinterest

Hashtags have been a familiar tool across social media, but their role on Pinterest has shifted over time. Understanding how they function today can help you decide whether they’re worth using in your Pinterest marketing strategy. Let’s take a closer look at how hashtags impact visibility and searchability on Pinterest and whether they still play a meaningful role in content discovery.

Do Hashtags Work on Pinterest?

Pinterest has changed a lot over the years, and so has the way hashtags work. They used to be a bigger deal, but now Pinterest prioritizes content quality and relevance over hashtags. While hashtags are still searchable and might give your pins a small visibility boost, they’re not the main way people find content anymore. Instead of focusing on hashtags, you’re better off writing strong pin descriptions, using high-quality images, and creating content that actually connects with your audience. That said, using a few well-chosen niche hashtags can still help your pins show up in searches, especially for people looking for something specific.

Visibility and Searchability

Pinterest’s algorithm is designed to surface the most relevant, high-quality content to users. While hashtags can help in categorizing your pins, they don’t significantly boost visibility in the same way as on other social platforms. Instead, Pinterest prioritizes visually appealing images, engaging descriptions, and relevance to the user’s interests. 

This means that rather than stuffing your pin with hashtags, you’ll get better results by focusing on clear, keyword-rich descriptions and high-quality visuals. Pins that align with trending topics or seasonal interests also tend to perform better, as Pinterest aims to show users content they’re most likely to engage with.

Best Practices for Using Hashtags on Pinterest

Hashtags on Pinterest don’t work the same way they do on other platforms. You can’t just throw them in anywhere and expect results. It helps to know when they actually make sense, how many to use without overdoing it, and the best place to put them. Picking the right ones also helps get your content in front of the right people. If you care about pin performance and want the best results for your work, the tips below might help.

When to Use Hashtags

Use hashtags when they add context or when you’re targeting seasonal or trending topics. For example, #SpringDecor or #DIYChristmas can be a popular trend during specific times of the year. Niche-specific hashtags, like #FarmhouseKitchen or #MinimalistStyle, can also help attract the right audience. Before adding a hashtag, check Pinterest’s search results to see if it’s actively used. Using relevant hashtags sparingly can improve your pin’s chances of appearing in searches without making your description look cluttered.

How Many Hashtags to Use

To avoid overwhelming your pin description, stick to using 2-5 hashtags. This keeps your description clean and focused on providing value, rather than appearing spammy. Choose relevant hashtags that describe the content of your pin and what users might search for. Mixing broad and niche hashtags can help increase visibility without making your post look cluttered.

Where to Place Hashtags

Hashtags should be placed at the end of your pin description. This keeps the main content of your description readable and engaging, with hashtags serving as a supplementary tool for search. By keeping them separate, your description flows naturally and remains user-friendly. Avoid inserting hashtags in the middle of sentences, as this can disrupt readability and make your pin look cluttered.

Choosing the Right Hashtags

Select hashtags that are specific to your content. Research within your niche to find what’s trending or commonly used. For instance, if you’re pinning a recipe, #HealthyRecipes might be more effective than a generic #Food. 

Using a mix of popular and less competitive hashtags can improve your chances of being discovered. Check what successful accounts in your niche are using to get inspiration while keeping your hashtags relevant to your pin.

Alternatives to Hashtags on Pinterest

Hashtags are helpful, but there are other ways to get your content noticed on Pinterest. In this section, we’ll look at some alternatives, focusing on SEO, keywords, and the power of visuals. These strategies can work alongside your hashtags and help your pins get in front of the right people.

SEO and Keywords

Since Pinterest functions like a search engine, optimizing your pin descriptions with the right keywords is super important. Use long-tail keywords that are specific to your content and audience, as they help your pins appear in more targeted search results. This strategy also applies to Pinterest boards. Be intentional when writing each board description. It’s the smartest way to improve discoverability on this powerful visual search engine.

Think about what your ideal viewer would type in the search bar to find your content, and make sure those phrases are woven naturally into your descriptions. The better your keywords align with what people are searching for, the higher your chances of showing up in relevant feeds.

For example, if you’re pinning a recipe for healthy banana bread, using keywords like “easy healthy banana bread recipe” or “low-sugar banana bread” will help your pin get discovered by people looking for healthier baking options. The better your keywords align with what people are searching for, the higher your chances of showing up in relevant feeds.

Visual Content

The visual aspect is king on Pinterest, so make sure your images are top-notch. High-quality, attention-grabbing photos or graphics are far more likely to be saved, shared, and clicked on. Take the time to choose or create visuals that stand out and clearly represent your pin’s content. Make sure your images are clean, well-lit, and convey the key message of your pin at a glance. A strong visual can not only increase engagement but also give your audience a reason to keep coming back.

For instance, if you’re pinning a DIY home decor idea, a well-lit image that clearly shows the finished project with a clean background will attract more views than a blurry or cluttered shot. Make sure your images are clean, well-lit, and convey the central message of your pin at a glance. A strong visual can not only increase engagement but also give your audience a reason to keep coming back.

Should You Use Hashtags on Pinterest?

When it comes to using hashtags on Pinterest, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons to see if they really fit into your strategy. In this section, we’ll talk about the benefits and drawbacks of hashtags on the platform. This way, you can decide if they’re worth including in your posts.

Pros

Hashtags can give your pins a small boost in visibility, especially when your content is new or trending. They also help categorize your pins, making it easier for users who rely on Pinterest’s search function to find relevant content. For example, a well-placed hashtag can help your DIY project get discovered by people searching for similar ideas.

Cons

Overuse can clutter your pin description, reducing readability. Also, given Pinterest’s focus on quality content, hashtags play a lesser role compared to other platforms.

While hashtags can play a role in your Pinterest strategy, they shouldn’t be your main focus. For example, using a few relevant hashtags might help your pin get noticed, but it’s the quality of your content and how well it’s optimized that will make the biggest difference. 

Engaging descriptions, solid SEO, and high-quality images are the key factors that drive long-term success on Pinterest. Think of hashtags as a helpful tool, but not the main driver of your Pinterest growth.

Case Studies or Examples

Take the case of a DIY blogger who used niche hashtags like #UpcycledFurniture during a furniture upcycling trend. While they did see a small increase in traffic, the biggest boost came from writing keyword-rich descriptions and posting high-quality, eye-catching images of their projects. These simple changes brought in a more engaged audience, with people repinning their content to their boards. While hashtags helped organize their content, it was the overall quality and optimization of the pins that led to the best results.

Then there’s a food blogger who relied on popular hashtags like #VeganRecipes at first. While the hashtags got them some attention, the real engagement came when followers started saving and repinning their food photos, which were beautifully shot. By focusing on high-quality images and detailed descriptions of the recipes, they built a dedicated following. The key takeaway here is that while hashtags can help, the quality of your visuals and content is what really keeps people coming back.

And finally, a fitness influencer who posted beginner workout routines. At first, they used broad hashtags like #FitnessMotivation, but didn’t see much traction. After they switched gears and added more specific keywords like “beginner home workout routine” along with crisp, motivating photos, their pins really took off. 

What worked best wasn’t the hashtags, but the clear, detailed descriptions and images that connected with their audience. The lesson here is simple: relevant, high-quality content is what truly engages people, not just hashtags.

Conclusion

So, while hashtags aren’t the most important thing on Pinterest and aren’t as crucial as they are on other platforms, they can still be useful if you use them wisely. But they should be a complement to your strategy, not the main focus. 

Put your energy into creating quality content, optimizing for SEO, and making sure your visuals stand out. Take a look at your most recent pins, and if they’re not performing well, ask yourself why similar content posted by other Pinterest creators is outperforming yours. 

There are good reasons their content is performing better, and implementing the tips you’ve just learned could turn out to be the best strategy for your online business.

Have you tried using hashtags on Pinterest? Share your experience in the comments below, or subscribe for more tips on how to get the most out of Pinterest for your blog or business.

References:

• Can You Use Hashtags on Pinterest: 7 Powerful Ways – sidesmedia.com
• Pinterest Hashtags: The Definitive Guide – bloggingwizard.com
• How to Use Hashtags on Pinterest – Tailwind Blog – www.tailwindapp.com
• Pinterest Hashtags: Your Ultimate Guide to Be a Pinning Pro – www.wptasty.com