Pinterest Advertising Guide 2025: Ad Types, Costs & Examples

Last Updated on August 29, 2025 by Himanshu Rawat

Pinterest isn’t just another social media platform—it’s a powerful visual search engine where users actively seek inspiration, ideas, and products. Unlike other platforms where users scroll passively, Pinterest users engage with content intending to take action, whether it’s planning a purchase, trying a new project, or discovering a brand.

This intent-driven behavior makes Pinterest Ads one of the most effective tools for businesses looking to drive high-quality traffic, generate leads, and increase conversions.

Here are some key statistics that highlight its effectiveness:

High Purchase Intent – 83% of weekly Pinterest users have made a purchase based on content they saw on the platform. (Source: Pinterest Business)
Strong Conversion Rates – Advertisers see a 2.3x more efficient cost per conversion on Pinterest compared to other platforms. (Source: Hootsuite)
Longer Ad Lifespan – Promoted Pins continue to generate organic engagement even after ad spend ends, with 50% of ad-driven purchases occurring after two weeks. (Source: Hootsuite)
Growing User Base – Pinterest has over 578 million monthly active users, with a growing share of Gen Z and male users. (Source: Pinterest)
Influence on Shopping Decisions – 85% of Pinterest users turn to the platform for inspiration when starting a new project or making a purchase. (Source: HubSpot)
Lower CPC Compared to Other Platforms – Pinterest Ads cost 30-40% less per click than Facebook and Instagram ads, making it a cost-effective advertising channel. (Source: AdEspresso)
Strong Mobile Usage – Over 85% of Pinterest users access the platform via mobile devices, emphasizing the need for mobile-optimized creatives. (Source: Increv)

With over 578 million monthly active users, Pinterest is a goldmine for brands, especially in eCommerce, home décor, fashion, food, and DIY niches. The platform’s unique advertising system allows businesses to target users based on interests, demographics, keywords, and even engagement history, making it easier to reach the right audience at the right time.

However, to truly leverage Pinterest advertising, businesses must go beyond just setting up an ad campaign. Understanding how Pinterest’s algorithm works, what types of ads perform best, and how to optimize bids, creatives, and targeting can make a significant difference in ROI.

Table Of Contents

What Are Pinterest Ads?
Why Run Ads on Pinterest?
Types of Pinterest Ads & Pinterest Ad Sizes
Pinterest Ad Sizes
How to Run Pinterest Ads, Cost Breakdown & Best Practices
How Much Do Pinterest Ads Cost?
Pinterest Ads Best Practices
Best Examples of Pinterest Advertising
So what have we learnt about Pinterest Advertising?

What Are Pinterest Ads?

Pinterest Ads are promoted Pins that businesses pay to display to a targeted audience. Unlike traditional social media ads, Pinterest Ads blend seamlessly into users’ feeds, appearing just like organic Pins—except with a “Promoted” label. This native-style advertising ensures higher engagement, as users interact with promoted content much like they do with regular Pins.

Pinterest Ads work on a pay-per-click (PPC) or pay-per-impression (CPM) basis, meaning advertisers only pay when users engage with the ad or see it, depending on the chosen campaign type. These ads can appear in users’ home feeds, search results, related Pins, and category feeds, maximizing visibility and reach.

The key advantage of Pinterest Ads is that they target high-intent users—people actively searching for ideas, products, and inspiration. Since 96% of Pinterest searches are unbranded, businesses have a unique opportunity to reach users in the discovery phase, influencing purchasing decisions before competitors do.

Pinterest offers several ad formats to cater to different marketing goals:

Standard Pins – Simple, single-image ads ideal for brand awareness and traffic.
Video Pins – Motion-based ads that grab attention quickly.
Carousel Ads – Multi-image ads great for showcasing product collections.
Shopping Ads – Directly promote products with dynamic pricing and stock info.
Collections Ads – Blend lifestyle imagery with product shots to inspire action.

With the right strategy, Pinterest Ads can drive brand awareness, website traffic, lead generation, and eCommerce sales, making them a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes.

Why Run Ads on Pinterest?

Pinterest isn’t just another social platform—it’s a visual search engine where people come with a clear intent: to discover, plan, and purchase. Unlike other social media users who browse casually, Pinterest users actively look for ideas, which makes them more likely to engage with and act on ads. This intent-driven behavior is one of the biggest reasons why brands should advertise on Pinterest.

1. High Purchase Intent & Conversion Rates

Pinterest users aren’t just scrolling for entertainment—they’re planning purchases. 83% of weekly users have made a purchase based on content they saw on Pinterest. Since most searches are unbranded, smaller businesses can compete with larger brands, capturing attention early in the buying journey.

2. Low Competition & Cost-Effective Ads

Compared to platforms like Facebook and Instagram, Pinterest Ads are less saturated, meaning lower cost-per-click (CPC) and higher returns. Since users engage with content based on interests rather than followers, businesses of all sizes can get visibility without massive ad budgets.

3. Long Ad Lifespan & Organic Boost

Unlike other paid ads that disappear once the budget runs out, Pinterest Ads continue to drive traffic long after the campaign ends. Promoted Pins often turn into organic Pins, staying searchable and discoverable for months, extending the ROI beyond the ad spend.

4. Advanced Targeting & Visual Appeal

Pinterest allows precise targeting through keywords, demographics, interests, and retargeting. It’s also a highly visual platform where eye-catching creatives can outperform text-heavy ads found on other networks.

For brands looking to drive sustained traffic, brand awareness, and direct conversions, Pinterest Ads offer a cost-effective and high-intent advertising solution that outperforms many traditional ad platforms.

Types of Pinterest Ads & Pinterest Ad Sizes

Pinterest offers a variety of ad formats to help businesses achieve different goals, from driving brand awareness to increasing conversions. Understanding these formats and their recommended sizes is essential for creating effective campaigns.

1. Standard Pins (Promoted Pins)

These are single-image ads that look like regular Pins but appear in targeted users’ feeds, search results, and related Pins. They’re ideal for driving traffic to websites, blogs, or product pages.

Best For: Brand awareness, website traffic, product promotion.

2. Video Pins (Promoted Video Ads)

Video Pins autoplay in users’ feeds, grabbing attention quickly. They work well for storytelling, product demonstrations, or engagement-driven campaigns.

Best For: Brand awareness, engagement, showcasing products in action.

3. Carousel Ads

Carousel Ads feature multiple swipeable images (up to five), allowing businesses to showcase different products, angles, or steps in a tutorial.

Best For: Product collections, storytelling, detailed product views.

4. Shopping Ads

Shopping Ads pull product data from a brand’s catalog and display them to users interested in similar items. These ads automatically update with pricing and availability, making them highly effective for eCommerce brands.

Best For: Driving direct sales, showcasing products dynamically.

5. Collections Ads

Collections Ads combine a large hero image or video with smaller product images below it, creating an interactive shopping experience. Users can tap to explore the featured products.

Best For: Lifestyle branding, showcasing product inspiration.

6. Idea Ads (Previously Story Pins)

These are multi-page, interactive Pins that allow businesses to create step-by-step guides, tutorials, or brand narratives. They keep users engaged on Pinterest rather than directing them offsite.

Best For: Tutorials, DIY guides, brand storytelling.

7. Try-On Ads (AR-Powered Ads)

Using augmented reality (AR), Try-On Ads let users virtually try on makeup, accessories, or other products before making a purchase.

Best For: Beauty and fashion brands.