Pinterest has long been known as one of the most reliable traffic sources for bloggers, influencers, and content creators. For years, the platform made it possible to drive thousands of visitors to a blog in just a few months, often fueling affiliate sales, ad revenue, and product launches.
But as the platform evolved, Pinterest began shifting its priorities. Instead of encouraging users to click away, the company started focusing on keeping users on-site longer. This caused some concern in the blogging and affiliate marketing community: if Pinterest no longer drove traffic to external websites, how could creators earn income?
The answer came in the form of Idea Pins (recently rebranded back to Video Pins). These allow creators to post engaging, story-like content while directly monetizing through affiliate links and Pinterest’s own creator reward programs.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to use Pinterest Idea Pins for affiliate marketing, how to add affiliate links, what limitations exist, and how to maximize the platform’s new tools to grow your online income.
What Are Pinterest Idea Pins?
Idea Pins are Pinterest’s version of short-form video storytelling, designed to compete with TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. The main difference? Unlike other platforms where content fades quickly, Idea Pins have a longer shelf life. A Pin you publish today can continue bringing you views, saves, and affiliate clicks months later.
Key Features of Idea Pins
- Multi-frame format: Up to 20 frames per Pin, each frame up to 60 seconds long.
- Flexibility: Upload static images, videos, or a combination.
- Shoppable product tags: Affiliate links integrated directly into your content.
- Accessibility: Automatic closed captions generated from your video’s audio.
- Cross-platform use: Some Idea Pins can be downloaded and repurposed (with a watermark).
- Full-screen viewing: Optimized for vertical 9:16 ratio (1080×1920 pixels).
This format lets you present your content almost like a mini tutorial, walkthrough, or product demo—perfect for affiliate marketing.
Why Pinterest Is Prioritizing Idea Pins
Consumer habits have changed. Social media users now prefer video-first content that’s engaging, quick, and mobile-friendly. Pinterest recognized this shift and began rewarding creators who use video by giving their Idea Pins more visibility in feeds and searches.
For creators, this is a huge opportunity. Pinterest itself has shared that Idea Pins can reach more people than traditional Pins, and many marketers report increases in impressions and engagement after just a few weeks of consistent posting.
Benefits for Affiliate Marketers
- Higher visibility: More reach means more eyes on your content.
- Direct monetization: With affiliate tags, you can earn without needing to drive traffic off-site.
- Profile growth: More engagement translates to more followers, which helps amplify all of your content.
- Creator Rewards: Pinterest’s incentive programs sometimes pay creators directly for high-performing Pins.
This makes Idea Pins a tool not just for traffic, but for actual income.
How to Add Affiliate Links to Pinterest Idea Pins
Here’s the step-by-step guide to monetizing with affiliate links on Pinterest Idea Pins.
Step 1: Set Up a Business Account
You’ll need a Pinterest Business account to access product tagging. Setting one up is free and takes only a few minutes.
Step 2: Check Availability
As of now, product tagging is supported only in the US and UK. Pinterest has announced expansion plans, so other regions may gain access soon.
Step 3: Know the Supported Networks
Currently, only three affiliate networks are integrated with Pinterest product tagging:
- Amazon Associates
- ShopStyle Collective
- Rakuten Advertising
If you work with these networks, you can start monetizing immediately. If your affiliate program isn’t supported, don’t worry—we’ll cover strategies for you later.
Step 4: Create Your Content
Videos consistently perform better than static images on Pinterest. Examples of affiliate-friendly videos include:
- Unboxing and reviewing a product
- Demonstrating how to use a tool
- Sharing before-and-after transformations (e.g., home decor)
- Styling guides or tutorials (e.g., “3 ways to wear this jacket”)
Tools like Canva, InShot, or Apple’s free Clips app make it simple to create professional-looking videos, even if you’re a beginner.
Step 5: Upload Your Idea Pin (Mobile Only)
Product tagging is available only on the mobile app, so be sure to upload from your phone.
- Tap the “+” icon to create a new Pin.
- Upload your video or images.
- Click on Stickers > Product Tagging.
Step 6: Insert Your Affiliate Link
Paste your affiliate link into the tagging box. Pinterest will automatically pull in product details and images.
Step 7: Enable Disclosure
Turn on the affiliate disclosure toggle. This ensures compliance with FTC guidelines and builds trust with your audience.
Step 8: Publish Your Pin
You can add up to 5 product tags per frame and 20 tags per Idea Pin. Once published, Pinterest creates a secret board called “Products You Tagged” where all your tagged products are stored (only you can see it).
Best Practices for Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest
Simply posting links won’t guarantee results. To maximize conversions, keep these strategies in mind:
- Always show the product in use: Demonstrations are far more persuasive than simple images.
- Tell a story: Frame your content around how the product solves a problem.
- Add clear CTAs: Encourage users to “Tap to shop” or “Check out this product.”
- Post consistently: Like any platform, consistency builds momentum. Aim for 2–5 Idea Pins per week.
- Leverage keywords: Pinterest is a search engine. Use relevant keywords in your Pin titles and descriptions to increase discoverability.
- Repurpose content: Share the same video (with edits) on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts.
What If Your Affiliate Program Isn’t Supported?
Many affiliate marketers promote products outside Amazon, ShopStyle, or Rakuten. High-ticket affiliate programs, SaaS tools, and coaching services typically aren’t supported on Pinterest’s tagging feature.
But this doesn’t mean you’re out of options. You can still use Idea Pins to grow your affiliate income indirectly.
Strategies Without Direct Tagging:
- Drive traffic to your blog: Break down a blog post into short Idea Pin segments and invite viewers to read the full article.
- Promote your email list: Encourage viewers to subscribe for exclusive tips and resources. Once on your list, you can share affiliate offers.
- Use branding within videos: Add your website URL as text on-screen so viewers know where to go.
- Build trust through content: Use Idea Pins to educate and provide value. The stronger your authority, the more likely followers are to check out your blog and affiliate links later.
Even without direct tagging, many creators report increased blog traffic after posting Idea Pins consistently—leading to more affiliate sales.
Tips to Drive Blog Traffic With Idea Pins
Here are actionable ways to use Idea Pins to funnel Pinterest users toward your website:
- Create multi-part tutorials: Share the first few steps in your Pin, then tell viewers the full guide is available on your blog.
- Use storytelling: Share a personal experience related to your affiliate niche, then link back to a detailed blog post.
- Highlight pain points: For example, “Struggling with a tiny bathroom?” Then direct viewers to a blog post with solutions and affiliate recommendations.
- Add text overlays: Include your blog URL at the bottom of every frame.
Realistic Expectations
While Idea Pins are powerful, it’s important to set realistic expectations. Pinterest’s affiliate tagging program has limitations, and monetization results will vary. Success depends on niche, content quality, posting frequency, and whether your audience is actively shopping on Pinterest.
That said, Pinterest is one of the few platforms that still provides long-term reach. Unlike TikTok or Instagram where videos fade within days, Idea Pins can generate impressions and clicks for months, even years, after posting.
Final Thoughts
Pinterest has changed, but it’s still one of the best tools for bloggers and affiliate marketers. While the platform is no longer just about sending people off-site, the introduction of Idea Pins with affiliate links has opened up new opportunities for creators to earn income directly on Pinterest.
If your affiliate program is supported, start experimenting with shoppable tags. If not, use Idea Pins strategically to grow your profile, drive blog traffic, and build an audience that trusts your recommendations.
Consistency, creativity, and optimization are key. By combining strong video content with affiliate strategies, you can turn Pinterest into a steady source of traffic and income.
Now is the perfect time to take advantage of this feature—while Pinterest is still prioritizing and rewarding creators who publish Idea Pins.