Because Pinterest uses a Smart Feed to deliver content, not all Pins are seen when you post them. Quality is an important part of the algorithm, which determines whether or not your Pin is added to the Smart Feed, or the personalized feed you see in your account.
That said, Pinterest looks for signals of user engagement to rank your Pins, so if you’re posting content at times when it’s likely to get in front of your audience when they’re most ready to engage with it, you’re telling Pinterest to show your content now, often, and to more users.
If your Pin doesn’t perform well because you post it at a bad time, Pinterest learns that it’s probably not of good enough quality to show in the Smart Feed.
If this happens often and repeats more often than not, then Pinterest adjust how it sees all of your content.
Pinning at the right time isn’t just important to the success of the next Pin your queue, but for all of your future Pins, too.
It’s important to remember that Pinterest is a search engine in and of itself, so people can find Pins that we posted at any time with the search function.
But, it’s more likely Pinterest will serve up Pins that are more popular, so by posting at the time of day that you get good engagement, you’ll get that authority boost in the algorithm so your Pins will show up higher in those search results when users are looking for something.
In this guide we will explore the best time to post on Pinterest, and some key insights.
Let’s dive right in!
Key Takeaways on Optimal Pinning Times on Pinterest
- Timing Matters for Engagement: Posting on Pinterest during peak times can significantly increase the visibility and engagement of your Pins. Evening hours, especially between 8 pm and 11 pm EST, are generally effective, as well as early morning slots between 2 am and 4 am EST. These times align with when users are most likely to browse Pinterest during their leisure time.
- Audience Understanding Is Crucial: Tailor your posting schedule to match the online habits and time zones of your target audience. This personalized approach can lead to better engagement and ensures your content aligns with your audience’s active hours on Pinterest.
- Day-Specific Content Strategy: Certain days of the week correlate with higher engagement for specific topics, such as food and crafts peaking on Sundays and travel content on Saturdays. Aligning your Pins with these trends can boost your content’s performance.
- Consistency and Quality Over Quantity: Establish a consistent pinning schedule to maintain a steady presence. While a minimum of five Pins per day is recommended, focus on the quality and relevance of your content to stand out in Pinterest’s Smart Feed.
- Utilize Analytics for Custom Insights: Leverage Pinterest’s analytics tools or third-party platforms like Tailwind to gain insights into your specific audience’s behavior. This data can help you refine your posting strategy for optimal engagement based on your followers’ preferences.
- Experiment and Adapt: There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to Pinterest success. Experiment with posting times and content types to discover what works best for your audience, and be prepared to adjust your strategy based on performance data and changing audience behaviors.
By understanding and implementing these strategies, you can optimize your Pinterest activity, ensuring your Pins achieve maximum reach and engagement.
Does the Best Time to Post on Pinterest Really Matter?
Determining the best time to post on Pinterest can significantly impact the visibility and engagement of your content. However, the “best” time can vary depending on your target audience, the nature of your content, and your goals. Here are some general guidelines to consider:
- Know Your Audience: The best time to post can vary depending on where your audience is located and their typical online habits. If your audience is global, you might need to experiment with posting at different times to see what works best.
- Peak Usage Times: Generally, evenings and weekends tend to be high-traffic times on Pinterest. Many users browse Pinterest during their leisure time for inspiration and ideas.
- Industry-Specific Trends: Depending on your niche, certain days might be better for posting. For example, if you’re in the food and beverage industry, weekends might be the best time as people are planning for the week ahead.
- Testing and Analytics: Use Pinterest Analytics to track when your pins perform best. Experiment with posting at different times and days to see what yields the best engagement.
- Consistency: Regular posting is key. Even if you can’t always post at the “best” time, having a consistent posting schedule is important.
- Current Trends and Seasons: Pay attention to current trends and seasons. For instance, holiday-related content might perform better if posted a few weeks before the actual holiday.
Remember, these are just guidelines, and the optimal time can vary. It’s crucial to experiment, monitor your results, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
When Is the Best Time of Day to Pin?
The answer to this question depends largely on the source you consult.
According to Fannit, the best time to Pin is between 8 pm and 11 pm and between 2 am and 4 am EST. But, according to 10Alike, the best times to Pin are between 2 and 4 pm EST and 8 pm to 1 am EST.
On the flip side, you should avoid posting content during the time when people are at work.
The network seems to be the most popular when people are sitting down to watch TV during their free time in the evenings.
It’s important to include a call to action on all your Pinterest descriptions, so people know what you want them do once they click on it. While some people will simply repin it for later, some will go straight to your website for the source of the Pin.
When’s the Best Day to Pin?
Data shows the best day to Pin in general seems to be Saturday. But, this largely depends on the topic behind the tweet.
Are Certain Topics Better for Certain Days?
Pinterest data shows that certain topics/niches do tend to perform better on certain days of the week.
- Sunday: Food and crafts
- Monday: Fitness
- Tuesday: Gadgets and technology
- Wednesday: Quotes
- Thursday: Outfits
- Friday: Gifts and humor
- Saturday: Travel
What About the Best Timing for My Pins?
While you can use these as basic guidelines, it’s important to remember that your Pinterest audience is likely to be different from the generalized audience from these studies.
It’s also vital to remember there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to Pinterest. The best time to post on Pinterest can vary depending on your audience.
You’ll need to spend a lot of time experimenting and testing with your own followers.
Pinterest has some fairly robust built-in analytics tools you can use to guide you, but if you’re willing to invest in tools, Tailwind not only improves upon native analytics data, but also gives you the ability to schedule Pins in advance.
As a bonus, it works with Instagram, too.
Ultimately, you should consider what time zone your audience is in, and whether or not you want to reach people in other time zones. Think about how your audience’s day is structured – and what they may be doing, and when they may be doing it.
If you know the majority of your audience works a 9-5 job, don’t spend too much time pinning content during those hours.
Top 10 Tips for Scheduling Your Pins
Here are our top 10 tips for Pinterest scheduling:
- Prioritize Consistency: Regular sharing on Pinterest is key. Establish a consistent schedule for pinning to maintain a steady presence on the platform.
- Spread Pins Throughout the Day: Distributing your pins across different times of the day can help you reach diverse segments of the Pinterest audience. This approach increases the likelihood of your content being seen by a wider audience.
- Leverage the Smart Feed: Pinterest’s Smart Feed allows you to pin content at any time without the risk of overwhelming your followers. This feature makes it easier to schedule pins according to your convenience.
- Aim for a Minimum Number of Daily Pins: Start with a goal of at least five pins per day. This number ensures a basic level of activity and engagement on your account.
- Don’t Hesitate to Pin More: The minimum amount required to pin is at least five pins per day. If you have a large volume of content, feel free to pin up to 30 times a day. More content means more opportunities for engagement and exposure.
- Repin to Reach New Audiences: Don’t shy away from repinning your content. Repinning can introduce your content to new segments of users who might have missed it the first time.
- Focus on Quality Over Quantity: While having a target number of pins can be helpful, the quality of your content is more important. Prioritize pinning high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience.
- Be Flexible with Your Approach: Understand that a rigid pinning number might not suit everyone. Adapt your strategy based on the nature of your content, your audience’s preferences, and the time you can dedicate to Pinterest.
Remember, these are guidelines to help you start and optimize your Pinterest strategy. The best approach can vary based on your specific audience and content type.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the best time to post on Pinterest.
Just like any other social media platform, timing plays a crucial role in your Pinterest strategy.
Understanding the habits and preferences of your audience is essential for maximizing engagement. By thoughtfully scheduling your pins and focusing on quality content, you can significantly enhance your visibility on Pinterest.
These strategies are not just about increasing your follower count; they’re about building a more robust online presence, driving greater brand awareness, attracting more traffic to your website, and potentially boosting sales.
In the dynamic social media industry, adapting these practices to your Pinterest activities can lead to meaningful and measurable results.
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