So you want to know how to use Keysearch Pinterest keyword tool for free in 2026, right?
I get it.
Pinterest is basically a search engine wearing a pretty dress, and if you’re not showing up in the results, you’re leaving traffic on the table.
I’ve been messing about with Keysearch for a good while now, and I want to show you exactly how it works, what it costs (spoiler: not much), and how you can squeeze value out of it without spending a penny.
Let’s get into it.
What Is Keysearch And Why Pinterest Creators Use It
Keysearch is a keyword research tool that started out mostly for Google SEO.
But loads of Pinterest marketers picked it up because it’s got a proper Pinterest search function built in.
Here’s why people rate it:
- It shows you real search volume data, not guesses
- You can spot trending Pinterest keywords before your competitors do
- It gives you related searches and long-tail keyword ideas
- It’s cheaper than most other keyword tools on the market
I remember when I first started pinning, I was just guessing what to put in my pin titles.
Total shot in the dark.
Once I started using proper keyword data, my pin impressions jumped within weeks.
Not overnight magic, but a proper, noticeable shift.
How To Access Keysearch Pinterest Tool For Free
Now here’s the bit you actually came for.
Keysearch offers a free trial, and yes, you can use the Pinterest keyword search during that window.
Here’s how you get set up:
- Head over to the Keysearch website
- Sign up using your email
- Choose the free trial option (no card needed for the basic trial in most cases)
- Head straight to the Pinterest keyword tool tab
- Type in your seed keyword related to your niche
That’s it.
You’ll get a list of related terms, search volume estimates, and competition scores.
| Feature | Free Trial | Paid Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Pinterest Keyword Search | Yes | Yes |
| Search Volume Data | Limited | Full Access |
| Competitor Analysis | No | Yes |
| Daily Searches Allowed | Restricted | Unlimited |
The free version is great if you’re just testing the waters.
I’d say use it to nail down your first batch of board and pin keywords before deciding if you want to upgrade.
Finding The Right Pinterest Keywords Without Overthinking It
Here’s the truth nobody tells you.
You don’t need hundreds of keywords.
You need the right ones.
When I search a keyword in Keysearch, I look for three things:
- Decent search volume – not massive, just steady interest
- Low to medium competition – so newer accounts can still rank
- Relevance to my actual content – because stuffing random keywords never works long term
A mate of mine runs a home decor Pinterest account.
She was targeting “home decor ideas” which is stupidly competitive.
Once she used Keysearch and switched to “small apartment decor ideas on a budget,” her pins started actually getting seen.
Small tweak, proper difference.
Using Keysearch Data Inside Your Pinterest Strategy
Getting the keywords is one thing.
Using them properly is where people drop the ball.
Here’s where I place my keywords once Keysearch gives me the list:
- Pin titles (the most important spot, don’t skip this)
- Pin descriptions (natural sentences, not a keyword pile-up)
- Board titles and board descriptions
- Profile bio, if it fits naturally
If you want to build out a proper content calendar around this, check out our internal guide on Pinterest content planning for more on structuring your pins weekly.
And that’s the core of how to use Keysearch Pinterest keyword tool for free in 2026 without wasting time or money on guesswork.
So how do you keep the Keysearch Pinterest keyword tool working for you long after the free trial runs out?
That’s the bit most people miss.
They get their first batch of keywords, feel chuffed with themselves, then stop there.
Big mistake.
Let me show you what happens after the initial keyword search, because this is where the real wins come from.
Tracking Your Pin Performance After Adding Keywords
Right, so you’ve picked your keywords.
You’ve popped them into your pin titles.
Now what?
You watch what happens.
I check my Pinterest analytics every single week, no exceptions.
Here’s what I’m looking for:
- Impressions going up on pins with the new keywords
- Saves increasing on specific boards
- Click-through rate improving on pin titles
- Outbound clicks to my site or blog
If a keyword isn’t pulling its weight after a few weeks, I swap it out.
Simple as that.
No point holding onto a keyword out of loyalty.
A Quick Look At Real Numbers
Here’s a rough breakdown from one of my own boards after switching to Keysearch-backed keywords.
| Week | Impressions | Saves | Outbound Clicks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1,200 | 18 | 9 |
| Week 2 | 2,450 | 34 | 21 |
| Week 4 | 5,800 | 76 | 48 |
Now, these are just my numbers.
Yours might look different.
But the pattern holds up across most niches I’ve seen.
Better keywords, steady growth.
Comparing Keysearch Against Other Pinterest Keyword Tools
People always ask me if Keysearch is the only tool worth bothering with.
Short answer, no.
But it’s a solid starting point, especially if you’re watching your budget.
Here’s a quick comparison based on what I’ve tested myself.
| Tool | Free Option | Pinterest Focused | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keysearch | Yes | Yes | Low |
| Pinterest Trends | Yes | Yes | Free |
| Tailwind | Limited | Yes | Medium |
| Ahrefs | No | No | High |
Notice Pinterest Trends is on there too.
I actually use this alongside Keysearch most weeks.
Pinterest Trends gives me the seasonal stuff, like what’s about to spike before it hits, and Keysearch fills in the gaps with steady, evergreen keyword data.
Using both together beats relying on just one.
Building A Simple Keyword Bank For Repeat Use
Here’s a tip that saved me hours.
Stop searching for fresh keywords every single time you sit down to pin.
Build a keyword bank instead.
I keep mine in a simple spreadsheet.
Columns for the keyword, search volume, competition score, and which board it fits.
Every time I open Keysearch, I add new finds straight into that sheet.
Within a month, I had over 150 solid keywords sitted ready to go.
No more staring at a blank pin title box wondering what to write.
What Goes Into My Keyword Bank
- The exact keyword phrase from Keysearch
- Monthly search volume estimate
- Which pin or board I’ve used it on already
- Date I last checked its performance
This one habit alone cut my content planning time in half.
If you’re already using a content calendar, this slots straight into it, and it pairs nicely with our internal guide on Pinterest content planning for keeping everything organised week to week.
Common Mistakes I See With Keysearch And Pinterest
So you’ve been using Keysearch for a while now and things are ticking along nicely.
But here’s a question worth asking yourself.
Are you actually getting the full picture, or just the surface stuff?
Because that’s where most people using the Keysearch Pinterest keyword tool for free hit a wall without even noticing.
Reading Competition Scores The Right Way
Loads of folk see a competition score and panic.
They spot a high number and bin the keyword straight away.
Slow down a second.
A high score doesn’t always mean stay away.
Here’s what I check before I make that call:
- How old are the top ranking pins for that keyword
- Are big accounts or small accounts sitting at the top
- Does the keyword match a board I’ve already built some authority on
- Is there a long-tail version with less competition but similar intent
A keyword with high competition but weak, outdated pins at the top is still winnable.
I’ve grabbed page one spots plenty of times just because nobody bothered refreshing their content in two years.
Seasonal Keywords And Why Timing Beats Volume
Here’s something people sleep on.
Search volume numbers in Keysearch are often an average.
They don’t always show you the spikes.
A keyword like “Christmas gift guide” might show decent year-round volume, but the real traffic hits hard for about six weeks.
| Month | Search Interest Level | Best Action |
|---|---|---|
| September | Low | Publish pins early |
| October | Rising | Start promoting harder |
| November | Peak | Push fresh pins weekly |
| December | Falling | Wind down, plan next cycle |
I learnt this the hard way with a Mother’s Day board.
Published everything two weeks before the date.
Pinterest takes time to pick things up, so half my pins were still warming up after the day had passed.
Now I publish seasonal content roughly eight weeks ahead, using Keysearch to spot the keyword early, then Pinterest Trends to confirm when the spike actually starts.
Combining Keywords With Pin Design Choices
Right keyword, wrong pin design, still won’t work properly.
I’ve tested this loads.
Once you’ve nailed down your keyword through Keysearch, think about:
- Text overlay matching the keyword naturally, not stuffed awkwardly
- Colour contrast that stops the scroll, because nobody clicks what they can’t see
- Vertical format since Pinterest still favours the taller pin sizes
Good keywords get you found.
Good design gets you clicked.
You need both working together, not one carrying the other.
FAQs On Using Keysearch For Pinterest
Is Keysearch actually free forever?
No, it’s a free trial period, then you’ll need a paid plan for full access.
Can I use Keysearch alongside Pinterest’s own search bar?
Yes, and honestly, I’d recommend it.
Pinterest’s search bar gives you live autocomplete suggestions straight from real users.
How often should I update my keyword list?
Check monthly at minimum, weekly if you’re running seasonal boards.
Does Keysearch work for niches outside home and lifestyle?
Yes, it works across most niches, though search volume varies depending on how big that niche is on Pinterest itself.
If you want to tie all this together, our internal guide on Pinterest content planning covers how to slot seasonal and evergreen keywords into one working schedule.
That’s the deeper side of how to use Keysearch Pinterest keyword tool for free, and it’s the bit that actually keeps your growth going past month one.
