Create Better Tutorials With This Pinterest Idea Pins Guide

What Are Idea Pins on Pinterest?

Plan multi-page tutorials that stay discoverable with this Pinterest Idea Pins guide for video, images, text, and music.

Each page of an Idea Pin can contain a video clip (up to 60 seconds), an image, or a combination of both with text overlays, stickers, and music from Pinterest's licensed library.

Why Idea Pins Matter

Pinterest is a discovery platform where users actively search for ideas, inspiration, and solutions. Idea Pins tap into this intent-driven behavior by providing rich, instructional content directly within the platform.

Key advantages include:

• Permanent Visibility: Unlike stories on other platforms, Idea Pins live on your profile indefinitely and continue to surface in search results.
• Higher Engagement: Pinterest has reported that Idea Pins generate significantly more engagement than standard pins, including saves, comments, and follows.
• Creator-First Format: Idea Pins are designed to grow your following on Pinterest, with prominent creator attribution and follow buttons.
• No Link Required: While standard pins drive traffic to external URLs, Idea Pins are self-contained, making them ideal for building on-platform authority.
• SEO-Friendly: Each Idea Pin can be tagged with topics and keywords, making it discoverable through Pinterest's search engine.

Working Around the No-Link Rule

No external links on Idea Pins

Tag products from your catalog

Mention a URL in a text overlay

Viewer follows up manually

How to Create an Idea Pin

Step 1: Open the Pinterest App

Idea Pins are created through the Pinterest mobile app or the business hub on desktop. Tap the "+" icon and select "Idea Pin."

Step 2: Add Your Content

Upload images or video clips for each page. You can record directly in the app or upload pre-made content. Each page can include:

• Video clips up to 60 seconds
• Static images
• Text overlays with customizable fonts and colors
• Stickers and GIFs
• Background music from the Pinterest audio library

Step 3: Arrange Your Pages

Drag and drop pages to arrange them in the desired order. Think of the flow like a visual story or tutorial, with each page building on the last.

Step 4: Add Details

Fill in the following fields:

• Title: A clear, keyword-rich title that describes your Idea Pin.
• Topics: Select relevant topic tags to help Pinterest categorize and surface your content.
• Tagged Products: If applicable, tag products from your catalog.

Step 5: Publish

Review your Idea Pin and publish it. It will appear on your profile and begin surfacing in search results and recommendations.

Best Practices for Idea Pins

Practice	Why It Works
Start with a hook on page one	Captures attention and encourages viewers to swipe through
Use 5-10 pages per Idea Pin	Long enough to provide value, short enough to maintain attention
Include text overlays on every page	Many users browse without sound; text ensures your message is received
End with a clear call to action	Tell viewers what to do next: follow, save, try the idea
Use vertical format (1080 x 1920)	Fills the mobile screen for maximum visual impact
Add relevant topic tags	Improves discoverability in Pinterest search
Post consistently (3-5 per week)	Regular publishing signals to Pinterest that you are an active creator

How Many Pages Idea Pins Actually Use

Pinterest's minimum recommendation5 pages

Best practice range5-10 pages

Most successful Idea Pins5-15 pages

Maximum page count20 pages

Idea Pin Content Ideas

• Step-by-Step Tutorials: Show how to complete a recipe, craft project, or styling technique.
• Before and After Reveals: Share transformation content with a dramatic reveal.
• List-Based Content: Present tips, tools, or recommendations in a list format across pages.
• Day in the Life: Give followers a behind-the-scenes look at your process or routine.
• Product Showcases: Highlight features and use cases for your products.
• Seasonal Guides: Create themed content around holidays, seasons, or events.

Idea Pins vs. Standard Pins

Feature	Idea Pins	Standard Pins
Format	Multi-page (up to 20)	Single image or video
Lifespan	Permanent	Permanent
External Link	Not supported	Supported
Engagement	Higher (comments, reactions)	Primarily saves and clicks
Creation Tools	Built-in editor, stickers, music	Upload only
Best For	Tutorials, storytelling, engagement	Traffic generation, product discovery

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add links to Idea Pins?

Idea Pins do not support external links in the same way standard pins do. However, you can tag products from your Pinterest catalog if you have a business account with a connected shop. You can also mention URLs in text overlays to direct viewers.

How many pages should an Idea Pin have?

Pinterest recommends using at least 5 pages for best performance. Most successful Idea Pins use between 5 and 15 pages, providing enough depth to be valuable without overwhelming the viewer.

Do Idea Pins show up in Pinterest search?

Yes. Idea Pins are fully indexed in Pinterest search. Using keyword-rich titles and relevant topic tags helps your Idea Pins appear for relevant queries.

Can businesses use Idea Pins?

Absolutely. Business accounts have full access to Idea Pins and can use them for product tutorials, brand storytelling, educational content, and more. Businesses can also tag products directly within Idea Pins.

Are Idea Pins available on desktop?

You can view Idea Pins on desktop, and Pinterest has rolled out creation tools for desktop through the business hub. However, the mobile app remains the primary and most feature-rich creation tool.

How long can a video clip be on an Idea Pin?

Each page holds one video clip, and Pinterest caps it at 60 seconds. Plan your footage around that limit, especially on pages showing multiple steps, and lean on additional pages rather than cramming everything into one clip.

What size should Idea Pin images and video be?

Shoot vertical, 1080 by 1920 pixels. That ratio fills the mobile screen, which is where most people scroll through Idea Pins, so anything shot in landscape or square gets cropped or bordered.

Where does Idea Pin music come from?

Pinterest's own audio library, built into the app editor. You pick a track while assembling a page, and because a lot of viewers browse muted, pair whatever you choose with text overlays so the message still lands.

How often should I post Idea Pins?

Aim for three to five a week. That pace is what Pinterest points to as a sign of an active creator, and staying consistent helps your pins keep surfacing in search and recommendations.

What kind of content works best as an Idea Pin?

Step-by-step tutorials, before-and-after reveals, and list-based tips are the formats that show up again and again. Day-in-the-life content, product showcases, and seasonal guides also fit well, since each page can carry the story forward one beat at a time.

Elevate Your Pinterest Strategy

Idea Pins offer a unique opportunity to create rich, lasting content on one of the most intent-driven platforms available. With AdaptlyPost, you can plan your Pinterest content calendar alongside your other social channels, ensuring a consistent and strategic presence across every platform.