How to use Pinterest search bar as a keyword research tool is probably the cheapest hack you’ll find for growing your Pinterest traffic this year.
I’ve spent hours testing every fancy keyword tool out there, and honestly, most of them just repackage what’s already sitting in that little search box.
Here’s the thing.
Pinterest is basically telling you what people want, for free, right there on the homepage.
You just need to know where to look.
Why the Pinterest Search Bar Beats Fancy Tools
Most people skip straight to paid software.
I get it, it feels more “professional”.
But paid tools pull data from the same source Pinterest gives you for nothing.
The search bar shows you real-time searches from actual users.
Not estimates.
Not guesses.
Real people typing real things right now.
That’s gold if you’re building a Pinterest strategy from scratch.
If you’ve read my guide on Pinterest SEO basics, you already know keywords are the backbone of getting found.
This is just the free version of that homework, minus the spreadsheet headache.
How Pinterest Search Bar Keyword Research Actually Works
Type one word into the search bar.
Watch what happens next.
Pinterest instantly shows you a dropdown list of related phrases.
These aren’t random.
They’re based on what millions of users are actually searching for.
- Autocomplete suggestions show you the most popular searches tied to your seed keyword
- Guided search pills (those little boxes under the search bar) reveal related topics people click on
- Related pins section at the bottom of results gives you even more angles
Let’s say you sell candles.
Type “candle” and you might see:
| Search Suggestion | Intent Behind It |
|---|---|
| candle making for beginners | Learning / DIY |
| candle aesthetic | Inspiration / mood boards |
| candle gift ideas | Buying intent |
| candle labels printable | Business owners / crafters |
Notice how different those are.
Each one tells you exactly what kind of pin you should be making.
Step by Step: Finding Keywords That Actually Convert
Here’s my simple process, no overcomplicating it.
- Type your main topic into the Pinterest search bar
- Screenshot or jot down every autocomplete suggestion
- Click into the guided search pills for more variations
- Search each new keyword again to find sub-niches
- Group similar phrases together in a simple spreadsheet
I do this for about 15 minutes before writing any new pin description.
It’s boring, sure.
But it works better than staring at a blank screen hoping words come to you.
If you’re already using tools from my Pinterest pin description guide, this pairs perfectly with that process.
You find the keywords here, then plug them straight into your descriptions and titles.
Reading the Search Volume Signals
Pinterest doesn’t hand you exact numbers like Google does.
But there’s a trick.
The order of autocomplete suggestions matters.
Higher up usually means more searches.
Here’s a rough breakdown of what I’ve noticed over time:
| Position in Dropdown | Estimated Popularity |
|---|---|
| 1st to 3rd suggestion | High search volume |
| 4th to 6th suggestion | Medium search volume |
| 7th onwards | Lower volume, still worth testing |
I always grab a mix.
Some high volume terms for reach.
Some lower volume ones because they’re easier to rank for.
That balance is what actually moves the needle on impressions.
This is exactly how to use Pinterest search bar as a keyword research tool without spending a single penny on software.
Turning Pinterest Search Bar Keywords Into Actual Pins That Get Clicked
Right, so you’ve got your list.
You’ve typed your seed keyword into the Pinterest search bar and jotted down every suggestion that popped up.
Now what?
This is where most people stall out.
They’ve done the finding bit but never turn it into pins that actually get seen.
Let’s fix that.
Match The Keyword To The Right Pin Format
Here’s something I learned the hard way.
Not every keyword deserves the same type of pin.
Search “candle making for beginners” and you’ll notice something.
Most of the top results are step-by-step graphics or short videos.
Search “candle aesthetic” and it’s a totally different story.
Mostly single lifestyle shots.
Moody lighting.
No text overlay needed.
Look at what’s already ranking for your keyword before you even open your design tool.
Pinterest is showing you exactly what format works.
Ignore that at your own risk.
Building A Content Calendar Around Your Keyword Finds
Once you’ve got a batch of keywords sorted by intent, plan your pins around them.
I like to split my week like this:
| Day | Keyword Type | Pin Style |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | High intent buying keyword | Product shot with price overlay |
| Wednesday | Inspiration keyword | Lifestyle image, minimal text |
| Friday | How-to keyword | Carousel or step-by-step graphic |
Simple.
No fancy scheduling software needed.
Just a plan built entirely off what the search bar handed you for free.
Why Long Tail Keywords From The Search Bar Win More Often
Short keywords feel tempting.
“Candle” gets loads of searches.
But you’re fighting every big brand on the platform for that spot.
Long tail phrases like “soy candle gift for mum” have way less competition.
Fewer pins fighting for that exact term.
Easier for yours to actually show up.
I’ve tested this on my own boards.
Pins targeting longer, more specific search bar keywords consistently pull in more saves within the first week.
Not always more total impressions.
But better quality traffic that actually clicks through.
Spotting Seasonal Trends Before They Blow Up
Here’s a sneaky trick I use monthly.
Type your main keyword into the search bar at the start of each season.
Watch how the autocomplete suggestions shift.
“Candle” in October starts showing “pumpkin spice candle” and “autumn candle decor”.
Same keyword in December pulls up “christmas candle gift set”.
Pinterest is basically handing you a trend calendar without charging a penny for it.
Jump on these early.
Pins take weeks to gain proper traction.
Waiting until the trend peaks means you’ve already missed the wave.
Combining Search Bar Data With Your Board Descriptions
If you’ve read my piece on Pinterest board optimisation, you’ll know board descriptions matter just as much as pin descriptions.
Same rule applies here.
Take the keywords you’ve found and weave them naturally into your board titles and descriptions too.
Don’t just stuff them into pins and forget the boards exist.
Pinterest reads both.
Miss one and you’re leaving reach on the table.
Common Mistakes People Make With This Method
I’ve made every one of these myself.
- Only searching once and never refining the keyword further
- Ignoring guided search pills because they seem “less important”
- Copying keywords exactly without adjusting for natural phrasing
- Never checking how seasonal shifts change the suggestions
Small fixes.
Big difference in results.
Checking If Your Keywords Are Actually Working
Here’s what I do every Sunday morning, coffee in hand.
I pull up Pinterest Analytics and check which pins got the most impressions.
Then I match those pins back to the keywords I used in the title and description.
Patterns show up fast.
Some keywords pull loads of impressions but barely any saves.
Others do the opposite, fewer views but people actually save and click.
That second group is the one you want more of.
Impressions look nice on a screen.
Saves and clicks pay the bills.
A Simple Way To Track What’s Working
I keep this dead simple, no fancy dashboards needed.
| Keyword Used | Impressions | Saves | Outbound Clicks |
|---|---|---|---|
| candle gift ideas | 2,400 | 180 | 95 |
| candle aesthetic | 5,100 | 60 | 12 |
| soy candle for mum | 900 | 140 | 110 |
Look at that middle row.
Loads of impressions, barely any action after.
That’s a keyword bringing eyeballs but not buyers.
The bottom row is smaller but way more valuable for actual sales.
I check this every couple of weeks and adjust what I’m pinning based on it.
Retesting Old Keywords With Fresh Pins
Just because a keyword flopped once doesn’t mean it’s dead.
Sometimes the keyword was fine, the pin design was the problem.
I’ve taken the same keyword, swapped the image, changed the colour scheme, and watched saves triple.
Before you ditch a keyword from your list, ask yourself:
- Did I actually match the pin style to what’s already ranking?
- Was my text overlay readable on mobile?
- Did I test more than one image for that same phrase?
If you’re still working through my Pinterest SEO basics guide, this bit ties in nicely with getting your on-platform basics right before blaming the keyword itself.
Letting Pinterest Tell You When To Stop Guessing
This is the bit I wish someone told me earlier.
Stop trying to guess what will work.
Pinterest search bar keyword research plus your own analytics data removes the guesswork completely.
The search bar tells you what people want.
Your analytics tell you what’s actually converting.
Put those two together and you’ve basically got a free strategy team working for you.
FAQs
How long before I know if a keyword is working?
Give it two weeks minimum.
Pinterest pins take time to gain traction, so judging too early skews your results.
Should I delete pins with low saves?
Not straight away.
Try a new image first before scrapping the whole pin.
Can seasonal keywords still convert well outside their season?
Rarely.
Stick to using them within their proper window for the best results.
How often should I redo my Pinterest search bar keyword research?
I check mine every couple of weeks.
Trends shift fast on Pinterest, so what worked last month might not pull the same results now.
Can I use the same keyword across multiple pins?
Yes, just change the angle each time.
Same keyword, different image style or different intent, keeps things fresh without confusing the algorithm.
Does Pinterest search bar keyword research work for small accounts too?
Absolutely.
It actually matters more for smaller accounts since you can’t rely on brand recognition to get clicks.
That’s how to use Pinterest search bar as a keyword research tool alongside your own data to keep improving instead of guessing forever.
